Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% versus Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum .
Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on January 29, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens 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.
Price
Ingredient Info
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
Water • Isodecyl Neopentanoate • Dimethicone • Azelaic Acid • Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl Ppg-20 Crosspolymer • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Polysilicone-11 • Isohexadecane • Tocopherol • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Isoceteth-20 • Polysorbate 60 • Triethanolamine • Ethoxydiglycol • Phenoxyethanol • Chlorphenesin
Water • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Propylene Glycol • Azelaic Acid • Betaine • Zinc PCA • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Glycerin • Triticum Vulgare Seed Extract • Triticum Turgidum Durum Seed Extract • Eragrostis Tef Seed Extract • Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Levulinate • Glyceryl Caprylate • Sodium Anisate • Caprylyl Glycol • Sodium Gluconate • Benzyl Alcohol • Dehydroacetic Acid • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Hydroxide • Citric Acid
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterThe Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 1.
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 AcidThe Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 4.
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 16.
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients
fyr
really really good, helped with my skin texture and closed comedones!! only downside is the extreme pilling so i would recommend using it as the...
really really good, helped with my skin texture and closed comedones!! only downside is the extreme pilling so i would recommend using it as the last step of ur night routine
Virago
I noticed improvements in my skin texture almost immediately. This is the first exfoliant that doesn’t dry me out yet is still effective - fewer...
I noticed improvements in my skin texture almost immediately. This is the first exfoliant that doesn’t dry me out yet is still effective - fewer breakouts, quicker healing, and less hyperpigmentation and redness. Overall, a great product to have on standby!
Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum 24 ingredients
AnaRitaSantos
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
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
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%.
See 6 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 41 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Q + A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum.
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