Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster Versus innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
Updated on August 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 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
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 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
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Humectant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Mannitol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cholesterol, Allantoin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Asiatic Acid, Retinol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mannitol, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Beta-Carotene, Phytosphingosine, BHT, Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
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 WaterThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin 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 AcidAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAllantoin 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 AllantoinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 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.
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 ingredients
Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
I have been interested in retinol for a while. Decided to try something that wasn't to intimidating.
This one had a frog on it and so it looked less intimidating.
I'm still in my 20s and this is my retinol review:
Texture: Super watery. I guess it is like most ampoules, maybe thinner, but it basically kindof drips down your skin when you apply. It is Show more
I am super sensitive to retinol, They always make my skin, super itchy, or irritated and red and I actually have a salicylic acid allergy, but I’ve been using this product and my skin has not reacted, which is a really good sign. It’s super super gentle and great if you have really sensitive skin. I’m really happy. I finally found a retinal that I can use and the salicylic acid definitely helps Show more
