Drx Azelaic Acid Versus Ceramol Spot Block
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Diglycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Nylon-12
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether
Disodium EDTA
Water, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Nylon-12, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Stearoxy Ether, Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantPolymethyl Methacrylate
Batyl Alcohol
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate
EmollientPalmitamide Mea
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Talc
Abrasive
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Azelamidopropyl Dimethyl Amine
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
Phytosphingosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Lecithin
Emollient
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingTin Oxide
Abrasive
Undecylenoyl Glycine
CleansingWater, Azelaic Acid, Glycerin, CI 77891, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Batyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dipentaerythrityl Pentaisononanoate, Palmitamide Mea, Pentylene Glycol, Talc, Triethylhexanoin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Azelamidopropyl Dimethyl Amine, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hydrogenated Retinol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Phytosphingosine Hcl, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Lecithin, Mica, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Tin Oxide, Undecylenoyl Glycine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
Think of it as a supportive ingredient that helps your gel-creams feel silky, "cloud cream-like", and spread evenly without being greasy.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated it (along with 22 other acryloyldimethyltaurate polymers) and concluded it's:
Due to its large molecular size, it sits on the surface of skin rather than penetrating it.
Learn more about Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerAzelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes it special?
OTC Azelaic acid is usually available in concentrations from 10-15% and anything over requires a prescription.
Here's what each tier does best:
Unlike other acids, azelaic acid will not make your skin more photosensitive/sun sensitive.
Though this ingredient is naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, it is usually synthetically created for cosmetics to ensure stability and effectiveness.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolThis ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTriethylhexanoin is created from glycerin and 2-ethylhexanoic acid. It is a solvent and emollient.
As a solvent, Triethylhexanoin helps dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
It is also an emollient and helps condition the skin.
Learn more about TriethylhexanoinWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
