Redness/IrritationAcne Spot Treatment
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated October 29, 2026
Studies found azelaic acid clears acne; Redditors report fading redness and marks.
What the community says
This thick 10% suspension targets acne, redness, and post-acne marks. Redditors report results with consistent use, and studies found azelaic acid clears acne better than placebo; dimethicone-heavy texture pills under makeup and can sting reactive skin.
What this means for you
What people love
Watch out for
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
How to use it
From Reddit routinesWhere to buy
What the science says
Azelaic acid has strong evidence for helping acne clear, often beating a placebo and working about as well as tretinoin 1. For rosacea, the research has strong evidence too, with studies finding it reduced spots and redness, though it did not seem to help visible blood vessels 2. For dark patches, azelaic acid has some evidence of fading melasma, while results for other pigment concerns were mixed 3. Stinging and burning were the most common side effects in those pigment studies 3.
- Azelaic Acid for acne Strong evidence · 31 studies
- Azelaic Acid for rosacea Strong evidence · 17 studies
- Azelaic Acid for hyperpigmentation Some evidence · 12 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchReal Reddit threads — 764 mentions across 28 threads
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% on Reddit, in one place — 28 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/AsianBeauty and 5 more, summarized.
“Infrequent use of their Azelaic Acid”
Positive
“I also have some redness in my cheeks that Azelaic Acid seems to help with”
Positive
“I mainly focus on hydration and sun protection these days when it comes to topicals.”
Positive
“PM: The Ordinary Azelaic acid 3x/wk”
Positive
“Yeah the texture is a little odd.”
Positive
“the way that it mattifies and pills up if you move it too much”
Positive
“sampling the Ordinary's in-store and not liking the texture”
Cautionary
“I also definitely agree with the TO azelaic being very sensorially and cosmetically unpleasant”
Cautionary
“It has a hard time not just pulling with ITSELF”
Cautionary
“I use TO azelaic acid suspension with Stridex max for salicylic acid...”
Mentioned
“The azelaic acid suspension has a conflict with their 2% salicylic acid, so should I not combine azelaic and salicylic acid?”
Mentioned
“Wait wait wait, peptides conflict with azelaic acid??”
Mentioned
“The Ordinary Azelaic acid has done wonders to calm my skin and give me a more even tone. And it’s very gentle.”
Positive
“I was layering niacinamide from TO and then AZ but I realized it wasn’t getting down to my skin so I switched the order and it’s evening out much better.”
Positive
“Paula’s choice Azelaic Acid booster is great and the Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid works well too and is pretty inexpensive.”
Positive
“On non tret days I use the ordinary azelaic acid.”
Positive
“Been using Estée Lauder products, Origins and The ordinary.”
Positive
“I swear by The ordinary products. I use them on non tret days”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
Differin
Mentioned together in 12 threads
“I have been alternating azelaic acid (The Ordinary, 10%) and Differin (adapalene, 0.1%) for 3 months now”
Vanicream
Mentioned together in 10 threads
“AM: vanicream gentle facial cleanser, byoma milky toner, the ordinary azelaic acid”
— r/acne
Purito
Mentioned together in 8 threads
“I just use TO azelaic acid + oat in calmin gel from puurito.”
Vanicream
Mentioned together in 7 threads
“Treat with The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% - this is rosacea-friendly! * Moisturize with Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin (apply with damp hands) * Double moisturize with…”
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