Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Versus Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial
Updated on August 23, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients
Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial 52 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients
Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial 52 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Azelaic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid 10%
Buffering
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSalicylic Acid 1%
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil
Emollient
Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil
Moisturising
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Glutathione
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningThioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Amylopectin
Ellagic Acid
Skin ConditioningPseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate
Humectant
Caprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Extract
AstringentDextrin
AbsorbentSebacic Acid
BufferingOryza Sativa Bran Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceteareth-25
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Polydextrose
HumectantCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Azelaic Acid 10%, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Salicylic Acid 1%, Glycerin, Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Niacinamide, Phloretin, Allantoin, Ferulic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Behenic Acid, Glutathione, Linoleic Acid, Tocotrienols, Thioctic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Ergothioneine, Cholesterol, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Eos, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Amylopectin, Ellagic Acid, Pseudozyma Epicola/Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil Ferment Extract Filtrate, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Squalane, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Acetyl Glucosamine, Punica Granatum Extract, Dextrin, Sebacic Acid, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Tocopherol, Ceteareth-25, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polydextrose, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterAzelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.
It has been shown to reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria and helps reduce inflammation. On top of that, it helps reduce the production of sebum and unclog pores.
Azelaic Acid also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect our skin cells from free-radical damage.
One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is that it is gentle and well-tolerated by most people.
Fun fact: The lab-created form of azelaic acid is typically used within cosmetic products for its shelf-stability.
Learn more about Azelaic AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinPhenoxyethanol 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.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients
Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial 52 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients
Did nothing for my fungal acne. Actually did nothing at all.
(Compared to my cheap no-name Russian brand Azelaic acid cream which worked wonders).
Paula's Choice at it again with cetearyl alcohol high up on the ingredient list. I'm disappointed by their ingredients fairly consistently now.
Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial 52 ingredients
Although this product can be used as the last step in your morning or evening routine, I prefer to use it in the evening. It leaves a very matte finish, which I don’t like, even when layered with sunscreen or makeup.
The formula includes 10% azelaic acid and 1% salicylic acid, combined with five types of ceramides and a load of antioxidants, which sounds promising. It does improve skin texture, Show more
I loved it so much. My main skin concerns are related to texture, very visible pores and dullness. This product really addressed them, most notably on the general visual appearance of the skin. Worked like a charm and never felt too heavy or uncomfortable. Only problem: too pricey 🥲 I’m still to find a dupe 🥹 if you can buy it and have no problem with BHA, I highly suggest to try it.
