Versus

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Versus The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA

Serum
Exfoliator
Canadian Brand Canada
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on March 04, 2025

Overview

What they are

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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

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

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

Key Ingredients

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

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.

Emulsifying

Isoceteth-20 comes from Isocetyl Alcohol. It is an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

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 ->
745 Routines
15% use in am
85% use in pm
59% 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

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 15 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 7 ratings
Works Well (3) Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2)
featherstone's avatar

flora

5 months ago
Review

Holy grail for real. This stuff works instantly overnight to sooth acne and balance skin tone/texture. Everytime I do some damage picking at my skin, this serum basically undoes it all. Fantastic for maintenance whilst purging acne, I use this in rotation with the inkey list BHA serum and they have resurfaced and evened out all my fungal acne, going to move onto the 10% for clearing up my scars Show more

#light
#absorbs well
#works well
somaliskin's avatar

h♡

8 months ago
Review

🤍 been using this for 2 years now, and i've really seen significant changes in my skin—especially with hyperpigmentation and texture ♡ however, it can be a bit irritating since i have sensitive skin, and it feels a little harsh when i combine it with the niacinamide 10% + zinc from the ordinary too. so, on my heavier days where my skin is extra sensitive, i skip this serum and just use moisturizer Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well