Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy.

Paula's Choice
10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Versus

Proactiv
Proactiv Clean Azelaic Pore Perfector

Product category and function

10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Proactiv Clean Azelaic Pore Perfector

Serums/Treatments	Serums/Treatments
Concentrated formulas for hydrating and addressing skin issues.	Concentrated formulas for hydrating and addressing skin issues.
----	----

Ingredient highlights

10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Proactiv Clean Azelaic Pore Perfector

Ingredient info	Ingredient info
Alcohol-free Paraben-free SLS-free Mica-free Fragrance-free	Alcohol-free Paraben-free SLS-free Mica-free Fragrance-free

Full ingredient list

10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Proactiv Clean Azelaic Pore Perfector

No. of common ingredients = 0
Total Number of ingredients = 21	Total Number of ingredients = 20
Water, azelaic acid, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, methyl glucose sesquistearate, glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, dimethicone, salicylic acid, adenosine, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, boerhavia diffusa root extract, allantoin, bisabolol, cyclopentasiloxane, xanthan gum, sclerotium gum, propanediol, butylene glycol, phenoxyethanol 8	Water, propanediol, glycerin, azelaic acid, squalane, dicaprylyl carbonate, sclerotium gum, pentylene glycol, caprylyl glycol, hydrogenated lecithin, allantoin, ethylhexylglycerin, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, xanthan gum, bisabolol, tocopheryl acetate, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, tocopherol, polylysine

Notable ingredients

10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Proactiv Clean Azelaic Pore Perfector

Anti-acne: Azelaic acid, Salicylic acid

Soothing: Azelaic acid, Allantoin, Bisabolol, Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract

Skin brightening: Azelaic acid

Anti-acne: Azelaic acid

Soothing: Azelaic acid, Allantoin, Bisabolol

Skin brightening: Azelaic acid

Load all

Ingredients with their functions

10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Proactiv Clean Azelaic Pore Perfector

Water

Also-called: Aqua, Aqua/Water, Water/Aqua/Eau, Aqua/Water/Eau | Function: Skin conditioning, Solvent

Water serves as a fundamental component in skincare products, often listed as the first ingredient, which means it's the most abundant. It acts as a solvent, helping to dissolve other ingredients and facilitate the application and absorption of products.

Azelaic acid

Function: Anti-acne, Soothing, Buffering, Skin brightening, Antioxidant

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in fungi and certain grains. It offers several benefits for the skin, including reducing inflammation, decreasing redness, killing acne-causing bacteria, fading dark spots, improving skin texture, protecting against free radicals, and reducing sensitivity over time. It can be easily incorporated into skincare routines and works well with other ingredients.

For acne, azelaic acid prevents the thickening of the top layer of dead skin cells, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for treating inflammatory acne.