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10% Azelaic Acid Serum

AcneSerum

10% Azelaic Acid Serum — Reddit Reviews

by The Inkey List

76nextscore26 verdicts

Updated October 21, 2026

Studies support azelaic acid for acne; Redditors call this lightweight, with irritation complaints.

What the community says

Backed by 57 studies

Studies found topical azelaic acid clears acne better than placebo, while Redditors report a lightweight emulsion that can become an HG for breakouts and rosacea. Start slowly; sensitive or barrier-damaged skin may sting, redden, or feel dehydrated.

From Reddit

Backed by 25 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 6 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • 10% azelaic acid; smooth, nongritty emulsion
  • Reddit HG for pimples; research supports acne improvement
  • Lightweight layering without pilling

Watch out for

  • Stinging, redness, and angry flare-ups hit reactive users
  • Some users break out after starting, even after stopping
  • Overuse can leave skin tight, dehydrated, or barrier-stressed

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: Congested pores get a specific shout-out: one commenter calls azelaic acid their “best friend” for them. 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: 15 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found azelaic acid helped rosacea more than a placebo
    • It often reduced bumps and redness from rosacea
    • It worked about as well as metronidazole in some studies, and better in others
    • It did not seem to help visible blood vessels
    • Side effects were mainly mild to moderate, including stinging

    Studied at 15–20%this product: 10%

  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Azelaic Acid: 9 studies tested it on its own. See all 12 studies

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found it helped fade dark patches, especially melasma
    • It faded melasma better than a placebo in one clinical trial
    • It often worked about as well as hydroquinone, and some studies found it worked better
    • It may help dark marks left after acne, but one study found no clear benefit for sun spots
    • The most common side effects were irritation, burning and stinging

    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 — 44 mentions across 25 threads

The Inkey List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum on Reddit, in one place — 25 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

“Inkey list AA serum has been out of stock at Sephora Canada for months!”

Positive

“And it’s the only OTC option that worked with my type 1/2 skin!!”

Positive

“I gave up and have paid the shipping and ordered directly from the Inkey list website last week”

Positive

“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

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