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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief versus Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum .

Last updated on November 29, 2023. Published on February 05, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Serum British Brand United Kingdom

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief

Starts at $18.00
Shop

Buy Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum

Starts at $12.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief contains this as ingredient number 1.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Loved

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid that is derived from grains. However, the lab-created form is typically used within cosmetic products as it has better shelf-stability.

It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions. Azelaic acid helps reduce the growth of bacteria that cause acne and helps to reduce inflammation.

It also helps to improve the appearance of skin by reducing the production of sebum and unclogging pores.

Azelaic Acid also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is that it is gentle and well-tolerated by most people. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it will not clog pores.

Learn more about Azelaic Acid

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief contains this as ingredient number 2.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief contains this as ingredient number 5.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

4
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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 Gum

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief contains this as ingredient number 7.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief contains this as ingredient number 9.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

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 Hydroxide

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief contains this as ingredient number 14.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

47% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
35% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
42% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief 17 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 4 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) Light (1) Light Scent (1)
sarape's avatar

sarape

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It literally pills with every product I've tried, it's impossible to use. It has a very gummy texture that never gets absorbed into the skin, it...

It literally pills with every product I've tried, it's impossible to use. It has a very gummy texture that never gets absorbed into the skin, it only stays on top like a silicon-y film that will ruin any other product you combine it with, and also avoiding the formula to penetrate and actually do some work into your skin. So despite it's relatively high concentration of Azelaic Acid, it takes way more time to show results than similar products (if you're still using it by then).

If you're interested on an alternative: "AZID" from "Theramid" is a great serum, with a 15% of Azelaic Acid that in my experience, can work wonders.

CristianF's avatar

CristianF

15 hours ago · Oily Skin
Review

It works really well for me, specially to cover some redness and as a spot treatment in the morning. I used it over some pimples and it helped me...

It works really well for me, specially to cover some redness and as a spot treatment in the morning. I used it over some pimples and it helped me to dry them out and reduce the sensitivity. Topped with an Heliocare sunscream with a bit of color to improve the redness and seal it. Used over Vitamin C serum, moisturizer and beneath sunscream. Absorbs rapidly.

Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 3 ratings
AnaRitaSantos's avatar

AnaRitaSantos

11 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Good & reliable azelaic acid product
I like this product because the formulation is effective and straightforward, it gets the job done without...

Good & reliable azelaic acid product
I like this product because the formulation is effective and straightforward, it gets the job done without causing any irritation, it has no compatibility issues with other products , it feels right on the skin and it's affordable and easy to get if you live in europe. There are formulations I like a little bit better (Peach Slices) but they are way too expensive and inacessible for me to buy on a regular basis. Q+A azelaic acid is the next best thing that is much more friendly on the wallet and easier to mantain on a regular routine.

CentellaAddict's avatar

CentellaAddict

8 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Did basically nothing
Saw no change in my acne or hyperpigmentation, I thought I was purging while using it but my acne only stopped once I stopped...

Did basically nothing
Saw no change in my acne or hyperpigmentation, I thought I was purging while using it but my acne only stopped once I stopped using this product, didn't deliver any of the benefits of azelaic acid

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