Updated on June 07, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens 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.
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Face Treatment with 2.5% Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Medicine 9 ingredients
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Face Treatment with 2.5% Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Medicine 9 ingredients
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Ingredients Side-by-side
Helps fight Acne 4 Concerns
Benzoyl Peroxide is famous for fighting acne. This is because it does a variety of tasks on the skin: it helps reduce excess oil, kill bacteria, and clear out dead skin cells. In other words, it is effective at unclogging pores.
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.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
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.
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.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Laureth-4 is created by reacting ethylene oxide with Lauryl Alcohol. It is a surfactant and emulsifier.
This ingredient is a semi-synthetic polymer created from cellulose. In case you need a refresher, cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
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.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.
We don't have a description for Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl Ppg-20 Crosspolymer.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.
Antioxidant 4 Benefits May cause irritation
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.
Isoceteth-20 comes from Isocetyl Alcohol. It is an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Triethanolamine is an emulsifier and pH adjuster. It is created using ethylene oxide and ammonia. This gives Triethanolamine a nitrogen core and a similar scent to ammonia.
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.
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.
Water, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Azelaic Acid, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl Ppg-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterChlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Face Treatment with 2.5% Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Medicine 9 ingredients
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Face Treatment with 2.5% Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Medicine 9 ingredients
Clover
MICRONIZED benzoyl peroxide is a miracle worker!
This product was a dermatologist recommendation to me, and I’m so so so grateful because it has...
MICRONIZED benzoyl peroxide is a miracle worker!
This product was a dermatologist recommendation to me, and I’m so so so grateful because it has done wonders for my skin. Micro BPO is able to penetrate the skin deeper while also being more gentle than regular BPO. This is a leave on product with a creamy consistency, and since it is Neutrogena it is very affordable and accessible (which are both things I LOVE). It’s not a spot treatment, but I’ve used it on spots and as a preventative and it works very well at tackling both my active acne and preventing new breakouts. Occasionally it will tingle on my skin if my skin barrier is not in the best state, but most of the time I can’t feel this at all. I also like to apply this in a similar way to how I would strong retinoids; buffering or sandwiching. Apply a thick moisturizer on first before applying this product (buffering), and if desired you can add on another layer of moisturizer after applying this BPO cream (sandwiching).
This is a must try! Especially if you know benzoyl peroxide works for your skin, but you also struggle with it being too drying. However, if you are particularly sensitive, it may be best to make sure you always remember to buffer this, don’t use it everyday, and when you do use it, do so sparingly rather than over large patches of skin.
I recommend this product to anyone with acne prone skin. It’s AMAZING.
Ericj89
Texture: Gel cream texture.
Scent: No scent
Performance: Benzoyl peroxide, my staple ingredient to treat acne.
Pros: Effective for acne/blind...
Texture: Gel cream texture.
Scent: No scent
Performance: Benzoyl peroxide, my staple ingredient to treat acne.
Pros: Effective for acne/blind pimple
Cons: None
WRP/WNRP: WRP
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Mac_R
This product has its ups and downs...
Positive: cleans up my closed comedones, affordable.
Negative: Its a little spicy on my sensitive skin and...
This product has its ups and downs...
Positive: cleans up my closed comedones, affordable.
Negative: Its a little spicy on my sensitive skin and pills easily
Would use at night, and use it sparingly. let it FULLY absorb before moisturizer, it will pill and sting if you use another product too soon after
fyr
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...
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
