Sesderma Azelac Ru Crema Gel Versus Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Updated on February 08, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
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 common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
Sesderma Azelac Ru Crema Gel 68 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sesderma Azelac Ru Crema Gel 68 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventParaffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Lecithin
EmollientArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Sh-Polypedtide-7
Skin ConditioningNiacin
Smoothing
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningDiacetyl Boldine
Skin ConditioningBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
4-Butylresorcinol
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract
Astringent
Sodium Cholate
Skin ConditioningPolysilicone-11
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Isoceteth-10
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Oleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrochloric Acid
BufferingBHA
Antioxidant
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientDipotassium Phosphate
BufferingHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Lecithin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Tranexamic Acid, Retinol, Retinal, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Nicotiana Benthamiana Sh-Polypedtide-7, Niacin, Morus Alba Root Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Diacetyl Boldine, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Bakuchiol, Azelaic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, 4-Butylresorcinol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-2, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-76, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, Cyclohexasiloxane, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Sodium Cholate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Isoceteth-10, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Oleate, Glycerin, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Hydrochloric Acid, BHA, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Potassium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum
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
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 WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
It is also an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneAzelaic 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 AcidXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeButylene 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.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateThis 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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
Sesderma Azelac Ru Crema Gel 68 ingredients
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster 21 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Sesderma Azelac Ru Crema Gel 68 ingredients
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.
