Theramid Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment Versus Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Theramid Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment 30 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Theramid Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment 30 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventGlycereth-26
HumectantAvena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Carnosine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Gallyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Cell Culture Lysate
Skin ConditioningGossypium Herbaceum Callus Culture
Skin ConditioningSphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Azelaic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Glycereth-26, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Carnosine, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Gallyl Glucoside, Propyl Gallate, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Cell Culture Lysate, Gossypium Herbaceum Callus Culture, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Theramid Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment 30 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Theramid Azid 15% Azelaic Acid Treatment 30 ingredients
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
Theramid's AZID Azelaic Acid Treatment is indeed as good as the reviews praise it. The vegan and cruelty-free serum contains a whopping 15% concentration of azelaic acid, five different types of ceramides, and avena sativa/collodial oatmeal. It can be used to target several concerns - I particularly use it to combat my hyperpigmentation and rosacea flare-ups. The lightweight serum absorbs quickly Show more
Geek & Gorgeous Apad 20% Azelaic Serum 13 ingredients
Beware, this is not 20% azelic acid but only 20% azeclair serum. That’s equal to like 3-5% azelic acid. It doesn’t do much at all actually. I used it only as a starter product for azelic acid (10%). So don’t expect it to magically cure whatever real issues you might have (acne, roscea etc.), cause it won’t. It helps to reduce the purging though. So yes, if you purge it should be some small white Show more
i was so excited to try this as potassium azeloyl diglycinate is a great ingredient and this formula is so simple and unlikely to cause issues for acne etc. i was hoping it could help with sebum production along with blemishes/redness but it broke me out, not even in just the small whiteheads and small red spots i usually get but quite big whiteheads in areas i dont usually get them, it was also Show more
