Versus

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum Versus Theramid Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment

Serum
Serum
Canadian Brand Canada
Spanish Brand Spain

Updated on November 05, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens and fragrances

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
Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment

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
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is a modified version of the famous antioxidant found in green tea, EGCG.

EGCG has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown to protect skin from UV-induced damage.

Since this ingredient is modified to attach to a glucose molecule, it also has great hydrating properties.

Learn more about Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Gallyl Glucoside is an antioxidant.

Antioxidant, Perfuming

Propyl Gallate is an antioxidant and is a fragrance.

Preservative

Dehydroacetic Acid is fungicide and bactericide. It is used as a preservative in cosmetics. Preservatives help elongate the shelf life of a product.

Dehydroacetic Acid is not soluble in water.

Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.

Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about Benzyl Alcohol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

994 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
90 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
86% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum 45 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 17 ratings
Broke Me Out (5) Irritating (4) Sticky (4)
mikkoflam's avatar

mikkoflam

1 year ago
Review

unfortunately broke me out really badly after 1 week use.

#broke me out
JaxC's avatar

JaxC

11 months ago
Review

After using this for a few weeks I was amazed at how well it improved my skin’s texture. I have to take corticosteroids for life, which has thinned my skin substantially, which in turn has made my skin very susceptible to eczema and scarring from even the smallest acne spot. This has made my skin plump and healthy looking once again and made it so when a spot shows up, the scaring is almost Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#sticky

Theramid Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment 30 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

One of my favorite products. If you're looking for an Azelaic Acid treatment, this is the right choice. It has the highest concentration you would find on an over-the-counter product (15%), combined with Ceramides and other soothing ingredients that will calm your skin and redness. Aside from rosacea, you can also use it for acne because it will soothe your breakouts and help fading the Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well