The INKEY List · The INKEY List · Serum - azelaic acid redness/rosacea treatment
The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum 30ml Review
The INKEY List's SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum (30ml, $20.00) targets redness and rosacea-prone skin; price checked 2026-09-18.
The INKEY List SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum (Redness Relief Solution) 30ml / 1.01 fl oz costs $20.00 (The INKEY List (official), checked 2026-09-18).
The INKEY List's SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum earns a 4.3/5 average across 478 brand-site reviews and 185 Ulta reviews, with the brand's own 22-person study reporting visible redness reduction within 4 days and 91% of participants noting instantly soothed skin at 4 weeks. At $20 for 30ml it sits between The Ordinary's $12.20 budget option and Paula's Choice's $39 alternative, though the fragrance-free, allantoin-containing formula should not be combined with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, retinoids, or vitamin C in the same routine per the brand's own instructions.
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Who it's for
Readers with redness-prone or rosacea-diagnosed skin fit this serum, since its 10% azelaic acid plus micro-fine green pigment is formulated to visibly reduce redness within days per the brand's own clinical claim (22-person study). Sensitive skin recovering from a compromised barrier, such as skin irritated by tretinoin, also fits, since the fragrance-free formula with 0.3% allantoin is positioned by the brand for sensitive and pregnancy-safe use. It is not the right fit for a routine that layers azelaic acid with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, retinoids, or vitamin C at the same time, since the brand's own instructions direct against combining those actives in one application.
For these questions
- Best lightweight serum for sensitive skin that's been wrecked by tretinoin
- The fragrance-free gel formula carries no additional exfoliating acids or retinoids and pairs 10% azelaic acid with 0.3% allantoin, matching the brand's own positioning for sensitive, compromised skin. Its 4.3-out-of-5 average across the brand's widget (478 reviews) and Ulta (185 reviews) reflects broad tolerability. It fits readers whose barrier is irritated from tretinoin and want a calming, non-exfoliating step rather than another active layered on top.
- What is the best azelaic acid serum for rosacea?
- 10% is the concentration the brand's own 22-person dermatologically-controlled trial linked to visibly reduced redness within 4 days, and the product is marketed by name as a 'Redness Relief Solution.' At $20 for 30ml it sits below the $39 Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster at the same concentration and volume. It fits readers with rosacea-prone or diagnosed redness who want a documented concentration without the higher price of a booster format.
- Best hyaluronic acid serums for everyday use
- This product is a 10% azelaic acid serum, not a hyaluronic acid formula, so it does not itself deliver the humectant hydration that question is asking about. Its glycerin-supported, fast-absorbing gel base and brand instruction to avoid stacking other actives on the same application make it a compatible calming layer alongside a separate everyday hyaluronic acid serum. It fits readers building a redness-plus-hydration routine, not readers who specifically want the HA serum itself.
- My serum pills when I put sunscreen and makeup on top. What should I switch to?
- The brand and Ulta both describe the gel texture as fast-absorbing and non-pilling under moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup. Its allantoin-soothed, fragrance-free base leaves no residue that would interfere with SPF or foundation application. It fits readers whose current serum balls up under sunscreen and makeup and who want a lightweight, non-pilling alternative rather than a heavier cream serum.
- My foundation looks cakey over dry patches. What serum works well for skin prep?
- The non-pilling, fast-absorbing gel is documented by the brand and Ulta as layering cleanly before makeup, and 0.3% allantoin is included to soothe rather than add texture to the skin surface. It fits readers whose foundation catches on redness-related rough patches and want a smoother prep step, though very dry patches may still need a separate richer moisturizer underneath since this serum is not a heavy hydrator itself.
- What are the best budget-friendly hydrating serums?
- At $20 for 30ml this serum undercuts Paula's Choice's $39 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, though it costs more than The Ordinary's $12.20 or Good Molecules' $12 azelaic options. It is a redness-treatment serum rather than a dedicated humectant formula, so its hydration comes secondarily from glycerin rather than from hyaluronic acid. It fits budget-conscious readers prioritizing redness reduction with modest hydration, not readers wanting a serum built primarily around hydration.
Product card
| Brand | The INKEY List |
|---|---|
| Product | SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum (Redness Relief Solution) (SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum (Redness Relief Solution)) |
| Category | Serum - azelaic acid redness/rosacea treatment |
| Size | 30ml / 1.01 fl oz |
| Price | $20.00 (checked 2026-09-18, retailer) |
Prices by retailer
| Retailer | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| The INKEY List (official) | $20.00 | 2026-09-18 |
| Ulta Beauty | $20.00 | 2026-09-18 |
| Amazon | $20.00 | 2026-09-18 |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Contains 10% azelaic acid plus 0.3% allantoin, shown to visibly reduce redness within 4 days in the brand's own independent 22-person clinical study.
- Fast-absorbing, non-pilling gel texture is described by the brand and Ulta as layering cleanly under moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup without balling up.
- Fragrance-free formula that the brand states is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and rosacea-prone skin, and safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Holds a 4.3-out-of-5 average across both the brand's own review widget (478 reviews) and Ulta's customer reviews (185 reviews).
- At $20 for 30ml it undercuts several azelaic-acid competitors, including Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster at $39 for the same volume.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
- The brand's own use instructions warn against layering this serum with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, retinoids, or vitamin C in the same routine.
- The brand's product page notes skin may go through a purging period as it adjusts to the 10% azelaic acid concentration.
- At $20 for 30ml it is priced above budget azelaic-acid options like The Ordinary's Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, which runs $12.20 for the same volume.
Key ingredients
- Aqua (Water) ingredient list position 1
Water is the base solvent listed first on the official INCI, carrying the water-soluble actives and giving the formula its lightweight gel-serum consistency.
- Azelaic Acid ingredient list position 2
Listed second and present at 10%, this is the serum's core active, the ingredient the brand's clinical redness-reduction claim is built on.
- Propanediol ingredient list position 3
A humectant/solvent that helps solubilize the azelaic acid and keeps the texture fast-absorbing rather than sticky.
In use
- The INKEY List official site review widget
478 reviews, 4.3 / 5 (checked 2026-09-18, source)
- Ulta Beauty customer reviews
185 reviews, 4.3 / 5 (checked 2026-09-18, source)
- Independent dermatologically-controlled consumer trial commissioned by The INKEY List
Clinically proven to visibly minimize the appearance of redness within 4 days of use (22 participants, 4 days)
- Independent dermatologically-controlled consumer trial commissioned by The INKEY List
91% of participants agreed skin was instantly soothed (22 participants, 4 weeks)
Similar products
| Brand | Product | Size | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The INKEY List | SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Serum (Redness Relief Solution) | 30ml / 1.01 fl oz | $20.00 | 2026-09-18 |
| The Ordinary | Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | 30ml | $12.20 | 2026-09-18 |
| Paula's Choice | 10% Azelaic Acid Booster | 30ml | $39.00 | 2026-09-18 |
| Naturium | Azelaic Topical Acid 10% | 30ml / 1 fl oz | $20.00 | 2026-09-18 |
| Good Molecules | 10% Azelaic Acid Treatment | 30ml / 1.01 fl oz | $12.00 | 2026-09-18 |
- The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Better pick for shoppers who want the lowest-cost 10% azelaic acid option and don't mind a thicker cream-suspension texture rather than a gel-serum feel.
- Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Better pick for readers who want to mix a small amount into an existing moisturizer as a booster rather than apply a standalone serum step.
- Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%
Better pick for readers who also want niacinamide and vitamin C combined with azelaic acid in a single step rather than layering separate products.
- Good Molecules 10% Azelaic Acid Treatment
Better pick for the most price-sensitive shoppers, matching the volume at roughly half the cost.
Certifications and tests
| Institution | Participants | Period | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent dermatologically-controlled consumer trial commissioned by The INKEY List | 22 | 4 days | Clinically proven to visibly minimize the appearance of redness within 4 days of use |
| Independent dermatologically-controlled consumer trial commissioned by The INKEY List | 22 | 4 weeks | 91% of participants agreed skin was instantly soothed |
How we tested
Ingredient list, use instructions, the brand's clinical redness-reduction claim, and the official review count/rating were read from the INKEY List's own product page on 2026-09-18. Price and star rating were cross-checked at Ulta Beauty and on Amazon's US listing on 2026-09-18. The full INCI order was cross-referenced against IncDecoder's published ingredient breakdown for this product. Competitor pricing for The Ordinary, Paula's Choice, Naturium, and Good Molecules azelaic-acid products was checked directly on each brand's official site on 2026-09-18.
Frequently asked questions
- Can this serum be used with retinol or vitamin C?
- The brand's own instructions say to avoid layering azelaic acid with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, retinoids, or vitamin C in the same routine, and to alternate use instead.
- Is the 10% Azelaic Acid Serum safe during pregnancy?
- The brand states the fragrance-free formula is suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- How fast does it reduce redness?
- In the brand's own 22-person dermatologically-controlled trial, redness was visibly reduced within 4 days of use.
- Where can I buy The INKEY List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum?
- It is sold on theinkeylist.com, at Ulta Beauty, and on Amazon, each listing it at $20 for 30ml as of 2026-09-18.
- Will 10% azelaic acid irritate beginner or sensitive skin?
- The brand's product page notes skin may go through a purging period while adjusting to the 10% concentration, so new users may want to start with alternate-night use.
Sources
- In a brand-commissioned 22-person dermatologically-controlled trial, the serum was clinically proven to visibly minimize redness within 4 days. source The INKEY List - 10% Azelaic Acid Serum official product page
- Full INCI order: Aqua (Water), Azelaic Acid, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polylysine. source INCIDecoder - The Inkey List Azelaic Acid Serum ingredients
- The Ordinary's Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is priced at $12.20 for 30ml. source The Ordinary - Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% official product page
- The INKEY List's own brand cosmetic and personal care products are approved under the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny programme. source The INKEY List - No Animal Testing Policy