Azelaic Acid 12% Serum — Reddit Reviews
by TIRTIR
Updated September 25, 2026
12% azelaic acid serum for acne and redness; dryness risk.
What the community says
A 12% azelaic acid serum that Redditors use for acne, redness, and post-blemish marks. Studies back the acne piece, while community reports are split on whether the formula feels soothing or too drying and irritating.
What this means for you
What people love
- 12% azelaic acid for acne and red marks
- Watery, thin, fast-absorbing serum
- Panthenol, zinc PCA, ceramide NP
Watch out for
Product details
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Strong evidence
Azelaic Acid: 22 studies tested it on its own. See all 31 studies
On Reddit: Twelve percent azelaic acid concentration targets pimples directly, shrinking them and preventing scar pigmentation reliably. 5 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found azelaic acid helped clear acne
- It often reduced pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and red, sore spots
- It usually worked about as well as tretinoin and some other common acne treatments
- Some studies found it worked less well than benzoyl peroxide
- The most common side effects were local skin irritation, peeling, dryness, and stinging
Studied at 5–20%this product: 12%
Hyperpigmentation
Strong evidence
Azelaic Acid: 12 studies tested it on its own. See all 15 studies
What the studies found
- Most studies found azelaic acid helped fade dark spots or patches
- It faded melasma patches better than a placebo in several studies
- It often worked about as well as hydroquinone, and sometimes better than weaker hydroquinone
- It also helped fade dark marks left after acne in one small study
- The most common side effects were mild burning, stinging, itching, redness and scaling
Studied at 15–20%this product: 12%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 28 mentions across 21 threads
TIRTIR Azelaic Acid 12% Serum on Reddit, in one place — 21 threads from r/Rosacea, r/AsianBeauty and 4 more, summarized.
“I started using Tirtir’s 12% azelaic acid and my skin agreed with it so much more.”
Positive
“It contains panthenol and zinc”
Positive
“which I think helps me tolerate it as well as not aggrevate my barrier!”
Positive
“TirTir Azaelic Acid Serum 12% - 8/10 saw a difference in a week.”
Positive
“Made my skin so soft and smooth.”
Positive
“I've been eyeing tirtir azelaic acid serum for a while now. Does it do a good job with dark spots?”
Positive
“i saw faster results with the tirtir but had to stop using it because it was too stripping and broke my barrier.”
Positive
“it was drying me out and causing my skin to flare.”
Positive
“Repurchased the Tittir one. My skin is sensitive and dehydrated, prone to redness. I've seen some good results over the months and really helps with the redness.”
Positive
“Eta: i use the tirtir 12% azelaic acid serum.”
Positive
“I personally have been using AA and my original purpose was to help even out the pigmentation from sun and acne scars.”
Positive
“I have noticed that it helps shrink my pimples and once gone, the pimples don’t leave any scar pigmentation.”
Positive
“I’ve been trying the Tirtir for about 3-4 weeks now.”
Cautionary
“I felt pretty irritated everytime I consistently tried to use this.”
Cautionary
“I got noticed more redness using this rather than the opposite effect azelaic acid should have.”
Cautionary
“Azelaic acid (Tirtir - Azelaic Acid 12% Serum)”
Positive
“Since I’m on Taz for acne and I use the mentioned serums for dealing with spots, brightening and prevention”
Positive
“which is a huge improvement on the tirtir”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Anua
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10 shared traits
676 mentions
Skin1004
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