Head to head

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster.

The bottom line

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster if you want the actives; The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

CelimaxThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterSerum · ~$22See every ingredient in The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster, decoded
The OrdinaryAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%Serum · ~€23See every ingredient in Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster if

  • plump, lasting hydration is what you want
  • fine lines and firmness are the goal
  • you want the more affordable option

Pick Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% if

  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
  • Hydration
    102
  • Barrier repair
    97
  • Brightening / tone
    108
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    89
  • Anti-aging
    94

Side by side

The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Niacinamide, RetinalAzelaic Acid, Isohexadecane, Vitamin E
TextureA light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film.A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyNot likely
PregnancyOne cautionNo flagged actives
Ingredients32 listed17 listed
Price~$22~€23

What's in one but not the other

Both share

No active in common.

Only in Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

The molecule doing the work

The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterGlycerin
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%Azelaic Acid

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
  • Fine lines & firmnessThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
  • Breakouts & congestionEither works
  • Dryness & dehydrationThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
  • Sensitive, reactive skinAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is the cheaper of the two (~$22 vs ~€23).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster or The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster if you want the actives; The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

Which is cheaper, Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster or The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%?

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is the cheaper of the two (~$22 vs ~€23).

Can I use Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% together?

They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.

Compare it with…

All 28 comparisons
Chemical structure of GlycerinChemical structure of Azelaic Acid