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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% versus The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% .

Last updated on August 16, 2023. Published on January 21, 2021

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening 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
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

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 Azelaic Topical Acid 10%

Starts at $19.99
Shop

Buy Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Starts at $11.10

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

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating (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

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

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 16.

3
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% contains this as ingredient number 15.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 17.

4
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% contains this as ingredient number 16.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 10.

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
24% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
12% 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

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% 18 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 reviews

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 12 reviews
TimWizard's Avatar'
Feb 21, 2024

This stuff does burn like hot pepper cream (I can still sleep through it) and it does pill hella. But my skin looks so much better since using it. It doesn’t take long to see results.

This stuff does burn like hot pepper cream (I can still sleep through it) and it does pill hella. But my skin looks so much better since using it. It doesn’t take long to see results.

Great Value
Irritating
Pilling
Works Well
fyr's Avatar'
Nov 29, 2023

really really good, helped with my skin texture and closed comedones!! only downside is the extreme pilling so i would recommend using it as the last step of ur night routine

really really good, helped with my skin texture and closed comedones!! only downside is the extreme pilling so i would recommend using it as the last step of ur night routine

Great Value
Pilling
Works Well
Virago's Avatar'
Apr 5, 2024

I noticed improvements in my skin texture almost immediately. This is the first exfoliant that doesn’t dry me out yet is still effective - fewer breakouts, quicker healing, and less hyperpigmentation and redness. Overall, a great product...

I noticed improvements in my skin texture almost immediately. This is the first exfoliant that doesn’t dry me out yet is still effective - fewer breakouts, quicker healing, and less hyperpigmentation and redness. Overall, a great product to have on standby!

No Scent
Works Well
Pilling

Alternatives

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

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Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%.

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