Versus

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Versus COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap

Serum
General Moisturizer
Canadian Brand Canada
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone 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 Dimethicone

This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.

It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.

When to use

2,964 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
1,247 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients

2.9 /5
from 38 ratings
Pilling (18) Great Value (14) Works Well (12)
Elapidae's avatar

Ela

3 months ago
Review

It’s a great starter product with azelic acid.
The price is relatively cheap, the tube will last you long time and it delivers what it should - azelic acid.
However, despite people’s suggestions here I personally would not use it as last step. It does not say it on their homepage but azelic acid has usually low ph. Thus adding it as last step might cause damaged skin barrier on a long run! Show more

#great value
#drying
#works well
anniec's avatar

anniec

1 year ago
Review

Hate
I have rosacea and perioral dermatitis so I thought this would heal my skin but I HATE it. It’s silicone based so it dries matte and you can’t apply sunscreen or any makeup on top. You also can’t reapply because it’ll start pilling. Don’t even think about touching your face after putting this on because it’ll pill. It also stings really bad which is the opposite of what you need for rosacea Show more

#irritating
#heavy
#pilling

COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap 19 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 31 ratings
Works Well (13) Great Value (12) Hydrating (11)
AlessandraRodriguez_228's avatar
Review

GAVE ME A BREAKOUT
first product to ever be a direct cause for acne, i hope i get to pinpoin which ingridient was. When i stopped using this, the acne went away too.

laila.21's avatar

Laila

5 days ago
Review

I love and hate this moisturizer at the same time but i just couldn’t finish it
🌺Pros: lasts forever, light and hydrating, cheap for the size you get
🌺Cons: weird smell, sometimes sticky, might break you out

#great value
#light scent
#doesn't work