Paula's Choice
10% Azelaic Acid BoosterMedicube
3H Overnight Drying LotionA spot treatment built around Azelaic acid and BHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A spot treatment built around Mineral sunscreen and Niacinamide, for soothing irritation and barrier repair.
Brand price
USD 42.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 19.90 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Alcohol-free, Silicone-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Mineral sunscreen2
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Centella asiatica (Cica)8
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside

Benefits

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
Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Fructooligosaccharides, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Betaine, Calamine, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide
Reduces Irritation10
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Zinc Oxide
Redness Reducing9
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Niacinamide

Concerns

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.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
May Worsen Eczema3
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
May Worsen Rosacea3
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.

Ingredients Side-by-side

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
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Skin Protecting
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
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 →Salicylic Acid
Anti-seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid is a BHA.
Learn more about Salicylic Acid →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 →
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