Great for rosacea on the cheeks; the redness is toned down for light makeup.
Show quote
“The Anua azelaic acid is great. I have rosacea on my cheeks and this helps.”
Latest user reviews
From users, and from around the web with the source linked.
Went through a whole jar of the Anua azelaic acid without changing their scars.
Show quote
“I've been looking up stuff about them for so long and went through a whole jar of anua azelaic acid but it didn't change anything and I dont usually see people with their scars like mine so idk”
Puts The Ordinary Azelaic Acid on fresh pimples at night and is amazed how much better they look by morning.
Show quote
“Azelaic acid might help, the one from the Ordinary is great on a fresh pimple—I’ve put it on at night and been staggered in the morning at how much better the pimple was.”
After four years of acne, the CeraVe Blemish Control (Acne Control) Gel is the only thing that has helped them.
Show quote
“I’ve found that the cerave blemish control works wonders! In the US it’s acne control gel”
Popular this week
most new reviewsA year on it has transformed their skin, after quitting tretinoin they couldn't tolerate.
Show quote
“I've currently been using the retinal for a year and it's transformed my skin.”
Helped with their oily skin and large pores.
Show quote
“Azelaic acid from the ordinary helped me with these”
Cleared up redness under their nose when a derm prescription didn't.
Show quote
“Anua azalaic acid seemed to clear it up.”
The Acne Control Gel seemed to work at first, then less so, so they moved to something else.
Show quote
“sometimes i use the acne control gel it seemed like it worked at first but now i feel like maybe not as much so i switched to something else.”
Two years with the Drying Lotion: shrinks deep painful pimples overnight about 70% of the time.
Show quote
“I've been using that Mario Badescu for maybe 2 years now.”
Has been great for their skin, alongside glycolic toner.
Show quote
“The azelaic acid booster and 5 or 10% glycolic acid toner from Paula's Choice have both been great for my skin.”
Tried it before going on prescription and calls it a trash product.
Show quote
“I tried the ordinary AA before going on prescription myself and it really is a trash product”
Their clear skin started breaking out, so they stopped it immediately.
Show quote
“So I have tried anua azelaic acid and my perfect skin started getting pimples.”
Cannot recommend the resurfacing retinol serum enough after never noticing a huge acne improvement before.
Show quote
“Can’t recommend the resurfacing retinol serum enough!! Best of luck”
A newly postpartum user has loved The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension through pregnancy and since.
Show quote
“Newly postpartum and I have been loving The Ordinary azaleic acid, Mad Hippie vitamin c, and a glycolic acid face maskthrough my pregnancy and now!”
Twice daily for 1–3 weeks slowly made their milia disappear.
Show quote
“I've had a lot of luck with just using over-the-counter 1% retinol over 1-3 weeks 2x a day”
After adding several actives at once their skin broke out; reintroducing one drop of the Granactive Retinoid brought a big bump two days later.
Show quote
“On friday I used the retinoid, 1 drop, two days after got a huge bump on my forehead and right cheek.”
Has used Paula's Choice azelaic acid for quite a while and finds it awesome.
Show quote
“I’ve been using the azeliac acid for quite a while and it is awesome.”
Found the Anua azelaic acid too sticky.
Show quote
“I agree about the Anua one. I found it too sticky on my skin too.”
Paula's Choice azelaic acid irritated them every time.
Show quote
“I tried Paula’s choice but I think my skin disagreed with its formula (maybe the added salicylic acid?) Irritated me every single time”
An oily/combination user found the Anua azelaic acid serum didn't do much for their hyperpigmentation.
Show quote
“I used to use the Anua azelaic acid serum but it wasn’t doing much for me.”
Saw no changes with Paula's Choice azelaic acid and found prescription azelaic much more effective.
Show quote
“I’ll also add I tried Paula’s Choice as well and saw no changes. It’s not strong enough.”
On very sensitive, acne-prone skin, Anua azelaic acid was well tolerated and improved things by about 30–40%; slow, but they finished a bottle and bought another.
Show quote
“My skin tolerated it well and improved by about 30 to 40%. It worked slowly, but I finished one bottle and bought another.”
Three months into Paula's Choice azelaic acid for post-acne marks, they haven't noticed any change.
Show quote
“i started using the paula’s choice one like 3 months-ish ago but i don’t know if it’s doing anything to my skin, i haven’t really noticed anything”
Anua azelaic acid only helped brighten PIH/PIE for them, not their rosacea redness and bumps.
Show quote
“I have used anua azelic acid and it only ever helps with brightening PIH / PIE, not the redness and bumps”
An oily, acne-prone user found the Anua azelaic acid serum very good.
Show quote
“I used anua azelic acid and it was very good but I am on a budget for now.”
The Ordinary's azelaic acid worked for them.
Show quote
“This worked for me! Paula's choice broke me out like crazy”
Paula's Choice azelaic acid broke them out badly, likely from the added salicylic acid.
Show quote
“Paula's choice broke me out like crazy because it also has salicylic acid and my skin freaked with the combo.”
On oily, sensitive skin the Anua azelaic serum felt sticky and oily when layered.
Show quote
“The Anua serum felt sticky/oily when layered with other products”
Loves The Ordinary azelaic acid's matte finish on their sweaty, oily skin.
Show quote
“i used it and i love it”
Had great results with the Paula's Choice AA booster before moving to prescription Finacea.
Show quote
“I had great results with the Paula's Choice AA booster before switching to prescription strength Finacea a few months ago.”
A solid fan of the Anua azelaic acid.
Show quote
“I'm a solid Anua fan but if the texture doesn't work for you try The Ordinary version.”
Finds The Ordinary azelaic acid unpleasantly gritty.
Show quote
“The Ordinary is gritty in a really unpleasant way.”
On their 5th or 6th tube: their very reactive skin has improved a lot.
Show quote
“I have crazy reactive sensitive skin and I’ve seen such improvement since using it and I’m on at least my 5th or 6th tube.”
After 2-3 months nightly, breakouts and whiteheads are going away and skin is smoother.
Show quote
“My current routine is Morning Wash Moisturize Spf Night Wash Anua azelaic acid Moisturize Ive been running it for a 2-3 months now and the breakouts and whiteheads have definitely been going away and my skin has been”
Loved it with good results on oily, acne-prone skin, unlike another brand that broke them out.
Show quote
“Anua is the first azelaic acid I have ever tried and I loved it. I've had good results from using it.”
Keeps their skin clear and bright when used consistently.
Show quote
“I really like the ordinary. So far (!) the formula hasn’t changed since they were bought out”
Liked it; the silicone base even helped smooth out makeup.
Show quote
“I first tried The Ordinary based on this sub's suggestion. I liked it”
Finally started clearing up their redness; gentle and inexpensive.
Show quote
“What's finally started working for me in clearing up redness is azelaic acid—The Ordinary has a 10% azelaic acid that's pretty gentle & helpfully not expensive!”
Started on the 0.3% Retinol + Bakuchiol twice a week before working up to tret, never had the retinol uglies, and their skin got glowier.
Show quote
“I started with the Paula’s Choice 0.3 retinol and bakuchiol twice a week and *very* gradually worked up to tret and now I’m on 0.1 and I have never had the retinol uglies.”
Their absolute favourite skincare product.
Show quote
“The Inkey List Azelaic Acid, my absolute favourite skincare product”
Out of 10+ azelaic acids tried, this is their favourite: thin, non-sticky, absorbs quickly and doesn't irritate.
Show quote
“There are lots of good ones, but Paula's Choice is my favorite. It is thin, non-sticky, absorbs quickly, and non-irritating.”
Three tubes in, a nice formula that clearly helps their very mild acne, and it's easy to buy cheaply at CVS.
Show quote
“I've only used Peach Slices but I've bought three tubes because it is a nice formula and definitely helps with (very mild/minor) acne.”
Calmed every spot for the first two nights but stopped helping with continued use.
Show quote
“I know the first time I used AA it was very good and calmed down every spot first two nights but then I tried to keep using it and obviously that didn’t work”
With mildly sensitive skin, eczema and rosacea, it didn't work for their redness.
Show quote
“Paula's Choice's Azelaic acid was one of the first actives I tried for redness and I remember it just seemed it did not work with my skin.”
It pilled badly on them, as did The Ordinary azelaic acid.
Show quote
“The ones I've tried (the ordinary and Paula's choice) both pilled badly on me”
Of several luxe retinols, A+ worked best for them: smoother texture, fewer imperfections and no irritation, until they moved to tret.
Show quote
“My skin responded best to the Sunday Riley. Visible results with improved texture, surface imperfections reduced, no irritation, skin calm and happy.”
Likes the azelaic and finds their skin tolerates the Anua one well.
Show quote
“I have been liking the azelaic, and am thinking of trying a new one here soon that's a higher percentage because my skin seems to tolerate the anua one well!”
On their third bottle, a user loved how gentle it was and how much it helped active hormonal acne.
Show quote
“I‘d say I loved it because it was gentle and helped a lot with the active hormonal acne.”
They get rosacea-like flare-ups on the cheek and have had very few issues since starting The Ordinary's azelaic acid.
Show quote
“Azelaic acid! I get it on my cheek like this and I’ve had very few issues since using azelaic acid. I use The Ordinary”
Their first azelaic acid, The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, doesn't play nicely with other products: its slick texture rolls up on the skin when layered over vitamin C or other first steps.
Show quote
“It has this slickeriness to it that rolls up on my skin if used on top of Vit C”
Before moving to a compounded azelaic cream they used the Peach Slices redness serum daily and loved it: it absorbed beautifully and layered well with other products.
Show quote
“I used Peach Slices redness reducing serum daily and loved it. Absorbed beautifully, played well with others.”
They hated The Ordinary's azelaic acid, finding the heavy silicone-primer base the problem, and recommend Peach Slices instead.
Show quote
“HATED IT. I don't understand why TO would put it in a heavy ass silicone primer.”
Gives a nicer glow than The Ordinary peel, used carefully a few nights a week.
Show quote
“Switch it for the retinol with squalene and start witha lower dose. I use .5 percent.”
Using it a few months without seeing much difference.
Show quote
“Also I have been using the azelaic acid for a few months now but not sure if I see much of a difference :(”
After years of hormonal acne and failed treatments, The Ordinary azelaic acid every other night (with a salicylic toner) is finally clearing their skin.
Show quote
“I use the toner twice a day and the azaelic acid every other night and I swear my acne is finally clearing up after years.”
They've used Naturium's retinaldehyde on and off for years, working up through the strengths; a tube lasts long and is often on sale.
Show quote
“I've been using Naturium's retinaldehyde off and on for years.”
Azelaic acid did wonders for their redness and texture; alongside a prescription cream, the Anua azelaic acid serum is great over the counter.
Show quote
“the Anua azelaic acid serum is great OTC”
Using the Anua milky rice toner with the azelaic serum every morning for acne marks and calls the results incredible.
Show quote
“I’ve been using them together every morning and the results are incredible.”
Their orange-peel forehead texture cleared after 3 weeks of using Anua Azelaic Acid every morning.
Show quote
“I used Anua azaleic acid and one day it all just... Peeled off.”
Anua Azelaic Acid worked very well for them, reducing the look of their pores better than retinal did.
Show quote
“I've only tried the Anua Azelaic acid, a korean brand I got on amazon. It's worked very well for me though!”
Fixed their dark underarms and reduced odour.
Show quote
“Anua’s soothing azaleic acid FIXED my armpits. Plus it reduces smell immensely.”
A user's skin responded super well to the Anua serum, which helped lingering melasma after pregnancy.
Show quote
“My skin responded super well the the anua azelaic, really helped with lingering Melasma after pregnancy.”
Acne reduced a lot on adapalene plus Anua azelaic, but little change in spots and hyperpigmentation after a year.
Show quote
“My current routine includes the following actives: \- 0.1% adapalene + 2.5% bpo gel \- Anua 10% azelaic acid serum Although my acne has reduced alot, it's been more than a year and not much difference in spots”
Likes Paula's Choice azelaic acid but finds it more intense, with a thicker texture and salicylic acid, than Anua's.
Show quote
“I’ve used both Anua’s AA amd Paula’s Choice- I love Anua and like Paula’s choice.”
Loves Anua's azelaic acid: gentler and more hydrating than Paula's Choice, with a serum texture.
Show quote
“Anua is much gentler and more hydrating on my skin (even though they’re both 10%). Its texture is like a serum which I love.”
Oily, acne-prone user found the thick texture clogged their pores and thinks it suits dry skin better.
Show quote
“I used it on my oily acne skin and it clogged my pores because the texture is too thick, i think it suits people with dry better”
Hated Paula's Choice azelaic acid: disliked the texture and it pilled under any sunscreen or moisturizer.
Show quote
“I hated Paula’s Choice. Didn’t like the texture. And it pilled no matter what I put over it (spf or moisturizer).”
Really liked Anua's azelaic acid as an intro to azelaic acid before moving to prescription.
Show quote
“I really liked Anua’s azelaic acid. I loved it so much I ended up just getting an RX for azelaic acid.”
Has used Paula's Choice azelaic acid since 2018 and credits it with keeping hormonal breakouts away and improving texture on mature skin.
Show quote
“I've been using the Paula's Choice AA since 2018! It's the one thing in my routine that I've never changed.”
Anua's azelaic acid is one of the only products that helps all their acne, including cysts and closed comedones, and suits sensitive dry skin.
Show quote
“I love Anua's azelaic acid. It's been one of the only acne products that helps with everything, including cysts and closed comedones.”
Two weeks into The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% they are getting painful pus-filled pimples that last a week and leave marks.
Show quote
“I've been getting these pus filled pimples that feel painful when pressed on.”
Says it has been okay applied every other night as a low-strength starter retinol.
Show quote
“It’s been okay, I apply it every other night. I was told to start with something with very less retinol, but now I’m almost done with this and wanted to know what should I get next?”
Has applied it before tretinoin at night with no problems and loves the Anua one.
Show quote
“I’ve had success with putting it on before my tret at night with no problems. Love the anua one.”
A user saw no results from the Anua serum, compared with prescription 15% azelaic acid.
Show quote
“Anua azelaic acid did nothing for me.”
A user on their second bottle says it worked for them and layers quickly as a first step in the morning.
Show quote
“On my second Anua bottle (it worked for me!)”
After a few months with no side effects, a user finds it tones down mild redness and evens their face color.
Show quote
“I do normally have some mild redness on my face and it does tone it down and makes my whole face the same colour, so i assume its working.”
Loves it for hormonal breakouts after stopping the pill.
Show quote
“I would stick to a gentle cleanser and moisturizer (I love Vanicream) plus an SPF. I also love the Ordinary Azelaic Acid.”
Five months in and they don't feel it's doing anything.
Show quote
“been using the anua 10% for 5+ months now and i dont feel like its doing anything for me!”
Didn't work for them; prescription azelaic acid did.
Show quote
“I find the ordinary products are really hit or miss for me, and their azelaic acid didn’t work for me either.”
Just started and likes it much better than Anua's azelaic acid.
Show quote
“Just started using the naturium AA one and liked it much better than anua too.”
Faded most of their acne scars and darkness, though it tingles and itches at first.
Show quote
“I use Naturium Azelaic Acid (I think 10%), emulsion. It's very effective for my skin. But it does make my skin a but itchy and tingly at first application.”
A game changer for spot-treating acne along the hairline, especially caught early.
Show quote
“I just have The Ordinary for now, but it’s been a game changer for me.”
Works, but pills on their skin.
Show quote
“For anyone wanting to try it, the ordinary version works but pills on me.”
Very happy with the results after a month and a half.
Show quote
“I've been using Paula's Choice 10% for about a month and a half and I'm very happy with the results”
A week in, their daily pimples stopped and post-acne marks are fading.
Show quote
“I’ve just hit one week of The Ordinary Azaleic Acid and I’ve now finally stopped getting pimples. It’s also slowly fixing PIH discoloration, which is wild.”
After 12 days of use it has helped with scarring.
Show quote
“also i have been using the anua azelaic acid for 12 days now and it has helped with scarring.”
A retinol beginner started the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol once a week, now twice, and finds it good for their skin.
Show quote
“I have been using the cerave resurfacing retinol and it’s been good for my skin”
Months of 2–3 times weekly use keep giving them cystic acne.
Show quote
“i’ve been using it since April but haven’t been the most consistent and it keeps giving me cystic acne.”
Nightly use for a few weeks completely cleared dark spots on their hand.
Show quote
“I fixed it with azelaic acid nightly for a few weeks. Spots went away entirely. I would definitely try that. I used the one from the Ordinary.”
Used on spots as needed by their very sensitive skin, now more sparingly.
Show quote
“if needed I use Mario Badescu drying lotion. I used to cover every minor imperfection with it but now I use it more sparingly”
A few days in: maybe slightly smoother and very non-irritating.
Show quote
“I've only used it for a few days I think my skin might be slightly smoother. It is very non-irritating to my skin however!”
A retinoid beginner had no flare-ups with The INKEY List 0.2% Retinal, quickly went to 3–4 times a week, and finds their skin smoother without whiteheads.
Show quote
“I didn’t notice any flare ups and sensitivity to it.”
They use The Ordinary azelaic acid and find the strength fine but dislike its silicone feel.
Show quote
“I currently use the ordinary but not a fan of the silicone feeling.”
They hated The Ordinary azelaic acid compared with the Nineless 10% they now prefer.
Show quote
“It also is the cheapest per ounce I have ever found besides the ordinary (which I also hated).”
Amazing results on sensitive skin after getting through a four-week purge.
Show quote
“I highly recommend it. Just beware, there is a skin purge period. If you can get through that…I’ve had amazing results!”
After two bottles, a user stopped the Anua Azelaic Acid serum as their skin wasn't getting clearer.
Show quote
“I also had the Anua Azelaic, and I felt the same. After two bottles, I decided not to move forward with it”