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10% Azelaic Acid Serum

AcneSerum

10% Azelaic Acid Serum — Reddit Reviews

by The Inkey List

74nextscore23 verdicts

Updated October 10, 2026

10% azelaic acid for acne and redness; can sting sensitive skin.

What the community says

Backed by 64 studies

A 10% azelaic acid serum with allantoin and glycerin that Redditors use for acne, redness, and rosacea. Studies back the acne angle, but community reports are split on irritation, dryness, and how slow it can feel.

From Reddit

Backed by 23 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 6 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • OTC azelaic acid for pimples and redness
  • Lightweight emulsion; layers without pilling
  • Allantoin plus glycerin add some buffer

Watch out for

  • Stings or turns skin red and angry for some people
  • Can feel too much for dry or barrier-damaged skin
  • Some users saw nothing after weeks of use

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: Azelaic acid serum from a cult-favorite brand serves as a daily gentle step for sensitive, congested skin. 4 mentions

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found it helped clear acne
    • It cleared acne better than a placebo in several studies
    • It often worked about as well as tretinoin and some other common acne treatments
    • Some studies found it worked less well than benzoyl peroxide or benzoyl peroxide with clindamycin
    • Side effects were usually local and moderate, with fewer local side effects than tretinoin in one study

    Studied at 5–20%this product: 10%

  • Rosacea

    Strong evidence

    Azelaic Acid: 17 studies tested it on its own. See all 20 studies

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found it helped rosacea more than a placebo
    • It often reduced red bumps and redness
    • It worked about as well as metronidazole, and some studies found it worked better
    • Some studies found better overall skin ratings and quality of life
    • Side effects were mostly mild to moderate skin reactions, such as stinging or burning, with no serious treatment-related side effects reported

    Studied at 15–20%this product: 10%

  • Hyperpigmentation

    Strong evidence

    Azelaic Acid: 12 studies tested it on its own. See all 16 studies

    What the studies found
    • In melasma, it often made patches lighter and less widespread
    • It worked about as well as hydroquinone in some studies, and better than weaker hydroquinone in others
    • It also helped fade dark marks left after acne in one study
    • The most common side effects were burning and stinging, and severe side effects were not reported

    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 — 40 mentions across 23 threads

The Inkey List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum on Reddit, in one place — 23 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 6 more, summarized.

“Also great for getting rid of pimples when they do pop up.”

Positive

“Love using it, I have the Inkey list and it’s my holy grail now.”

Positive

“it’s my holy grail now”

Positive

“I’ve been using the Inkey List 10% azelaic acid serum for about three weeks now and I see zero difference :(”

Cautionary

“I see zero difference”

Cautionary

“about three weeks now”

Cautionary

“alternating between azelaic acid serum+HA moisturiser”

Positive

“—Azelaic acid serum from inkey list”

Positive

“This has been working for me for a few months”

Positive
28

“The Inkey List’s Azelaic acid serum”

Positive

“have been trying to be consistent with De La Cruz 10% sulfur treatment as well as the gentle foam Soon Jung whip cleanser, The Inkey List’s Azelaic acid serum”

Positive

“I can’t wait to get in and see what a dermatologist can prescribe to help further.”

Positive

“i used inkey list az serum and my skin unable to tolerate inkey list az.”

Cautionary

“I had a bad reaction with azelaic acid serum and this helps calm the skin.”

Cautionary

“my skin unable to tolerate inkey list az.”

Cautionary

“On the nights I don’t use Tret, I alternate between The Inky List Azelaic Acid 10% serum”

Positive

“Day 2 PM: Cleanse, AA”

Positive

“Day 6 PM: Cleanse, AA”

Positive

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