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10% Azelaic Acid Treatment

Redness/IrritationAcne Spot Treatment

10% Azelaic Acid Treatment — Reddit Reviews

by Good Molecules

85nextscore92 verdicts

Updated October 2, 2026

10% azelaic acid for acne and redness; gritty, can sting.

What the community says

Backed by 44 studies

A 10% azelaic acid cream that Redditors use for acne, redness, and leftover marks. Studies back the acne benefit, and people with rosacea or sensitive skin often like it. The catch is the gritty, heavy feel and occasional stinging.

From Reddit

Backed by 28 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • 10% azelaic acid for redness and breakouts
  • Layers under moisturizer and makeup
  • Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free

Watch out for

  • Gritty cream texture makes application annoying
  • Can sting, burn, or dry out sensitive skin
  • Heavy and shiny on oily or combo skin

Product details

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: Azelaic Acid 10% targets redness and inflammation while clearing acne bumps and pigmentation post-breakouts. 11 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: 10%

  • Hyperpigmentation

    Strong evidence

    Azelaic Acid: 12 studies tested it on its own. See all 15 studies

    On Reddit: 10% Azelaic Acid allows gradual buildup to daily use, easing irritation while fading post-breakout pigmentation. 11 mentions

    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: 10%

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 159 mentions across 28 threads

Good Molecules 10% Azelaic Acid Treatment on Reddit, in one place — 28 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more, summarized.

“Good Molecules has a pretty good azelaic acid.”

Positive

“It's like $10.”

Positive

“I highly recommend this brand, they're vegan and cruelty free.”

Positive

“I’m starting out with good molecules.”

Mentioned

“It’s a cream & they also have a cleanser.”

Mentioned

“Not even a week in and I’ve noticed a big difference already.”

Mentioned
r/tretinoinTret Glow
459

“I bought Good Molecules 10% first”

Mentioned

“then, after reading this sub and people's experiences, they stated that 15-20 is where you see the real change”

Mentioned

“I use both intermittently and now sometimes mix them together.”

Mentioned

“Good molecules azealic acid”

Positive

“the azealic acid in there is a smart move for fading leftover marks.”

Positive

“PM: cleansing oil again for sunscreen and makeup”

Positive

“Good molecules soothing Azealic acid cleanser”

Positive

“Current skincare routine:”

Positive

“I recently cut those out about a month ago and my skin is thriving.”

Positive

“PM: ... Good molecules azealic acid”

Positive

“PM: ... Tret”

Positive

“Smile lines and overall clarity.”

Positive

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