Versus

Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum Versus Azclear Action Medicated Lotion

Serum
Facial Treatment
Hungarian Brand Hungary
Australian Brand Australia

Updated on April 08, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe . 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, oils, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan 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 Gum
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

When to use

73 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
77% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
343 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
85% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Great Value (3) Sticky (3) Absorbs Well (2)
Elapidae's avatar

Ela

8 days ago
Review

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

#great value
#heavy
#absorbs well
#sticky
rachaelolivia's avatar

rachael

3 months ago
Review

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

#great value
#broke me out
#sticky
#pilling

Azclear Action Medicated Lotion 9 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 8 ratings
Great Value (5) Works Well (4) Light (2)
CH4RMz's avatar

CH4RMz

4 months ago
Review

It might be a bit early to give a good review, but I’ve been using this for a week now and I’m shocked at how well it’s working for me! I have Rosacea (Papulopustular/Acne) and EXTREMELY reactive/sensitive skin. I’m basically semi allergic to every single product on earth and literally CANNOT wear sunscreen or 99.9% of moisturisers.

I tried finacea (prescription azelaic acid) and within 2 days Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
emilycook's avatar

Emily C

9 months ago
Review

I’ve been using this product for over a month now. My acne prone skin is noticeably clearer, far less red and the hormonal breakouts that I do have are substantially smaller and less inflamed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to clear stubborn acne, it’s one of the only products that has made a noticeable difference to my skin.

It can have a drying effect and does tingle the Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
#light scent
#works well