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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel versus Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% .

Published on April 23, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

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 need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment Danish Brand Denmark
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Eczema (2)

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Loved

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid that is derived from grains. However, the lab-created form is typically used within cosmetic products as it has better shelf-stability.

It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions. Azelaic acid helps reduce the growth of bacteria that cause acne and helps to reduce inflammation.

It also helps to improve the appearance of skin by reducing the production of sebum and unclogging pores.

Azelaic Acid also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is that it is gentle and well-tolerated by most people. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it will not clog pores.

Learn more about Azelaic Acid

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

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

The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.

In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.

The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.

Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.

Learn more about Benzoic Acid

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.

Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 80

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 7.

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% contains this as ingredient number 10.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 8.

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% contains this as ingredient number 11.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% contains this as ingredient number 12.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

C10-18 Triglycerides is a skin conditioning and texture-enhancer.

It is created from glycerin and a mixture of C10-18 fatty acids.

This ingredient improves spreadability and helps thicken a product.

According to manufacturers, it usually comes from vegetable-based saturated fatty acids. Common bases for this ingredient are coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or both.

Due to the melting point being close to skin temperature, it is usually used in lip products.

Triglycerides are a main component of fat in the human body.

Learn more about C10-18 Triglycerides

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 10.

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% contains this as ingredient number 5.

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

20% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
60% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
15% are loved or liked
23% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel 10 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
helldoll's avatar

helldoll

6 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

i couldnt tolerate it...
this made my skin itch so bad each time I tried applying it... i applied it on both damp and dry skin and it still itched...

i couldnt tolerate it...
this made my skin itch so bad each time I tried applying it... i applied it on both damp and dry skin and it still itched and stung like crazy. never again, gunna try 10% even tho there isn't much research for that :/

leonsah's avatar

leonsah

9 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

helped with my dermatitis instantly

Finacea (azelaic acid) Foam, 15% 13 ingredients

(azelaic acid) Foam, 15% hasn't been rated yet.
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