Nerds. 10% Azelaic Acid Cream Serum Versus Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum

Nerds. 10% Azelaic Acid Cream Serum Versus Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum Detailed comparison of Nerds. 10% Azelaic Acid Cream Serum versus Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum. This calming serum is formulated around Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide to calm redness and fade the look of dark spots. This brightening serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. Water Azelaic Acid Propanediol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Glycerin Niacinamide Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate Glyceryl Stearate Squalane Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter Dimethicone Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate Xanthan Gum Allantoin Bisabolol Tocopherol Phenoxyethanol Citric Acid Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin Tranexamic Acid C13-15 Alkane Dicaprylyl Carbonate Ethyl Macadamiate Behenyl Alcohol Butylene Glycol Silybum Marianum Seed Oil Lactobacillus/Coconut Fruit Juice Ferment Filtrate Lecithin Bakuchiol Caprylyl Glycol Hydrogenated Lecithin Glycine Soja Oil Hexylene Glycol Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract Glycine Soja Sterols Sodium Phytate Malic Acid Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, C13-15 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Silybum Marianum Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lactobacillus/Coconut Fruit Juice Ferment Filtrate, Lecithin, Bakuchiol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Glycine Soja Oil, Hexylene Glycol, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Malic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics. Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity. Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation. It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh. Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated. This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%. Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating. Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel. While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns. Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source. This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out. This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%. 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 t