Paula's Choice
10% Azelaic Acid BoosterA spot treatment built around Niacinamide and Centella asiatica, for hydration and barrier repair.
A spot treatment built around Azelaic acid and BHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 13.99 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 42.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Silicone-free, Oil-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

Benefits

Hydrating15
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Propanediol, Trehalose
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Niacinamide
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Beta-Glucan, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root, Niacinamide
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol
Barrier Repair11
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Reduces Irritation3
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Redness Reducing4
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Azelaic Acid, Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-14 Pareth-12, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Octyldodeceth-16
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
Skin Conditioning
Skin Protecting
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Salicylic Acid (in both products)
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →
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