Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on January 19, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens 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 American Brand United States
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Serum

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

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

Shop

Buy Azelaic Topical Acid 10%

Starts at $19.99
Shop

Buy 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

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

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

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.

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 Propanediol

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 19.

3
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.

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 21.

4
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

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% contains this as ingredient number 14.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

56% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
43% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% 18 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 reviews

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 5 reviews
jcnfia's Avatar'
Mar 13, 2024

Paula's Choice at it again with cetearyl alcohol high up on the ingredient list. I'm disappointed by their ingredients fairly consistently now.

Paula's Choice at it again with cetearyl alcohol high up on the ingredient list. I'm disappointed by their ingredients fairly consistently now.

Broke Me Out
Irritating

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 34 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster.

See 34 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...