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Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening 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.

Geek & Gorgeous aPad
Geek & Gorgeous aPad
Serum
Hungarian Brand Hungary
Bayer Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
Bayer Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
Facial Treatment
German Brand Germany

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
aPad
Water 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.

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate Skin Conditioning

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (PAD) comes from the condensation of azelaic acid mixed with glycine.

Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Methyl Gluceth-20 Humectant, Moisturising

Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0 Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Xanthan Gum 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.

Disliked Full details ->
Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 4 Benefits 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

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.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
Azelaic Acid Buffering, Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne Icon
5 Benefits

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.

Cetearyl Nonanoate Emollient

We don't have a description for Cetearyl Nonanoate.

Unknown Full details ->
Propylene Glycol Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
0 / 0 May worsen Eczema Icon
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Benzoic Acid Masking, Preservative
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

Disliked Full details ->
Water 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.

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
Loved

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
Loved

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

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

aPad
6
2
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
3
2
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

165 Routines
57% use in am
43% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
165 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
78% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Geek & Gorgeous aPad 11 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 6 ratings
Works Well (3) Great Value (2) Absorbs Well (1)
AnaG's avatar

AnaG

3 months ago ยท Dry Skin
Review

This and cos the baha tranexamic acid made a huge difference in my hiperpigmentacion. Although using both in the same routine mad my skin very very...

This and cos the baha tranexamic acid made a huge difference in my hiperpigmentacion. Although using both in the same routine mad my skin very very sticky. Repurchased it for the 3 time

SkylerMikalson's avatar

SkylerMikalson

6 months ago ยท Dry Skin
Review

I love azelaic aid, and this is a great delivery system for it.

Bayer Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid 6 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) Works Well (2)
laila.21's avatar

Laila

3 months ago ยท Combination Skin
Review

I loveee this so much.๐Ÿ’“
Used since Feb 27th, every other day at night after toner and hydrating serum.

I've been using it for around a month...

I loveee this so much.๐Ÿ’“
Used since Feb 27th, every other day at night after toner and hydrating serum.

I've been using it for around a month now and I can finally say that I found something that does remove my old acne marks and hyperpigmentation!
this paired with alpha-arbutin serum worked soo fast as I saw improvements 15 days in.
not only does it help to even out the skin tone, but it also helps me so much with my active and hormonal acne as my skin rarely breakout when I used to get at least 4 new pimples every day.
Any 20% azelaic acid, I love you๐Ÿฅน๐Ÿ’“

Anne400's avatar

Anne

5 days ago ยท Normal Skin
Review

Works like a charm.