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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Minimalist Azeclair 17% + Propolis versus Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum .

Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on August 30, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any 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.

Serum Indian Brand India
Serum British Brand United Kingdom

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Azeclair 17% + Propolis

Shop

Buy Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum

Starts at $12.00

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

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
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: 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

Minimalist Azeclair 17% + Propolis contains this as ingredient number 1.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: 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

Minimalist Azeclair 17% + Propolis contains this as ingredient number 4.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Minimalist Azeclair 17% + Propolis contains this as ingredient number 15.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Minimalist Azeclair 17% + Propolis contains this as ingredient number 17.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

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

59% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
42% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Minimalist Azeclair 17% + Propolis 22 ingredients

Azeclair 17% + Propolis hasn't been rated yet.
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Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 3 ratings
AnaRitaSantos's avatar

AnaRitaSantos

11 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Good & reliable azelaic acid product
I like this product because the formulation is effective and straightforward, it gets the job done without...

Good & reliable azelaic acid product
I like this product because the formulation is effective and straightforward, it gets the job done without causing any irritation, it has no compatibility issues with other products , it feels right on the skin and it's affordable and easy to get if you live in europe. There are formulations I like a little bit better (Peach Slices) but they are way too expensive and inacessible for me to buy on a regular basis. Q+A azelaic acid is the next best thing that is much more friendly on the wallet and easier to mantain on a regular routine.

CentellaAddict's avatar

CentellaAddict

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Did basically nothing
Saw no change in my acne or hyperpigmentation, I thought I was purging while using it but my acne only stopped once I stopped...

Did basically nothing
Saw no change in my acne or hyperpigmentation, I thought I was purging while using it but my acne only stopped once I stopped using this product, didn't deliver any of the benefits of azelaic acid

Alternatives

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