Geek & Gorgeous aPAD 20% Azeclair Serum Versus Balea Serum Beauty Expert Azelain Booster

Geek & Gorgeous aPAD 20% Azeclair Serum Versus Balea Serum Beauty Expert Azelain Booster Detailed comparison of Geek & Gorgeous aPAD 20% Azeclair Serum versus Balea Serum Beauty Expert Azelain Booster. This calming serum is formulated around Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate to calm redness and balance excess oil. This calming serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate to calm redness and balance excess oil. Water Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate Propanediol Glycerin Methyl Gluceth-20 Allantoin Hydroxyethylcellulose Xanthan Gum Citric Acid Ethylhexylglycerin Phenoxyethanol Water, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Allantoin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol Niacinamide Betaine Panthenol Lactic Acid Sodium Benzoate Sodium Hydroxide Pantolactone Water, Niacinamide, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Glycerin, Betaine, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pantolactone, Citric Acid These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations. Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger. However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum. Topically, glycerin does several things at once: Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3. Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin. This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products. Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity. Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine. Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (PAD) comes from the condensation of azelaic acid mixed with glycine. This ingredient has similar properties to azelaic acid; it can help reduce sebum production and soothe skin. PAD also inhibits tyrosinase activity to help brighten skin. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that controls melanin production. A study from 2023 found 5% PAD combined with nicotinamide (a form of niacin) effectively reduced melanin production after 6 weeks. Several st