Paula's Choice
10% Azelaic Acid BoosterA spot treatment built around Azelaic acid and BHA, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A spot treatment built around Niacinamide and Azelaic acid, for barrier repair and reducing redness.
Brand price
USD 42.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 21.60 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site
At a Glance
They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Vegan; 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.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Centella asiatica (Cica)5
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica 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
Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol, Stearic Acid
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Centella Asiatica Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Niacinamide, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Stearic Acid
Reduces Irritation6
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Panthenol
Redness Reducing7
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Azelaic Acid, Centella Asiatica 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 Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Azelaic Acid (in both products)
Buffering
- Azelaic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cetearyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glyceryl Stearate (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Azelaic Acid (in both products)
Buffering
- Azelaic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Redness Reducing
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol (in both products)
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
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 →Azelaic Acid
Buffering, Fragrance
Azelaic Acid is azelaic acid.
Learn more about Azelaic Acid →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 →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 →Cetearyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetearyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →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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