Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum Versus FaceTheory Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 10% Clarifying Serum
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
FaceTheory Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 10% Clarifying Serum 16 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
FaceTheory Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 10% Clarifying Serum 16 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Rosa Canina Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Water, Propanediol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Azelaic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glyceryl Caprylate, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Phytate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
FaceTheory Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 10% Clarifying Serum 16 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
Beware, this is not 20% azelic acid but only 20% azeclair serum. That’s equal to like 3-5% azelic acid. It doesn’t do much at all actually. I used it only as a starter product for azelic acid (10%). So don’t expect it to magically cure whatever real issues you might have (acne, roscea etc.), cause it won’t. It helps to reduce the purging though. So yes, if you purge it should be some small white Show more
i was so excited to try this as potassium azeloyl diglycinate is a great ingredient and this formula is so simple and unlikely to cause issues for acne etc. i was hoping it could help with sebum production along with blemishes/redness but it broke me out, not even in just the small whiteheads and small red spots i usually get but quite big whiteheads in areas i dont usually get them, it was also Show more
FaceTheory Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 10% Clarifying Serum 16 ingredients
An effective azeleic acid serum. One of my gripes about Azeleic products is normally the texture and how it settles powdery or pilling. This however is elegant emulsion feel, spreads well and doesn’t pill! Really helped with my texture and overall. There is a slight smell (not fragrance) but it doesn’t bother me, disappears after a few seconds.
