Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum Versus The Derma Co 2% Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment Gel With 3% Sulfur
Updated on June 25, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones 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
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment Gel With 3% Sulfur 23 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment Gel With 3% Sulfur 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid 10%
Buffering
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Niacinamide 2%
Smoothing
Phytic Acid
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Calendula Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Hyaluronate 1%
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Azelaic Acid 10%, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Coffea Arabica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Niacinamide 2%, Phytic Acid, Salicylic Acid 2%, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Adenosine, Ubiquinone, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate 1%, Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSulfur
Antiseborrhoeic
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Lanolin
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Dicetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteth-10 Phosphate
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSteareth-21
CleansingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sulfur, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Lanolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Salicylic Acid, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Palmitate, Dicetyl Phosphate, Ceteth-10 Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Steareth-21, Sorbitan Stearate, Steareth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This 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 TriglycerideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
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 this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment Gel With 3% Sulfur 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Skinmade Azelaic Acid + Salicylic Acid Serum 39 ingredients
The Derma Co 2% Salicylic Acid Spot Treatment Gel With 3% Sulfur 23 ingredients
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