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The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Serum~€23typical, July 2026
Maya's read

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a serum built around Azelaic Acid, Isohexadecane and Vitamin E. It leans strongest on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes. Best suited to acne prone, rosacea and pigmentation skin. Nothing in it we'd flag for most people.

Reviewed by Maya FaourLast reviewed August 2026Why no score? We tested. →

Skip it if you already own something similar: it's a solid, honest basic rather than a must-have upgrade.

What it delivers

Hydration2
Barrier repair7
Brightening / tone8
Oil-control & blemishes9
Anti-aging4

How it feels A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. — estimated from the formula

What's in it that matters

The molecule doing the workAzelaic AcidHero Active · strong evidence

Multifunctional dicarboxylic acid with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and tyrosinase-inhibiting activity that treats acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation.

  • IsohexadecaneEmollientmoderate evidence

    Lightweight, non-greasy emollient that improves slip and reduces greasiness in creams and sunscreens.

  • Vitamin ESupporting Activemoderate evidence

    Fat-soluble antioxidant that protects oils from oxidation and can support photoprotection; may be comedogenic or irritating for some.

Key facts

Type
Serum
Key actives
Azelaic Acid, Isohexadecane, Vitamin E
Fragrance
None detected
Fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe
Not likely — has oils or esters it can feed on
Pregnancy
No flagged actives
Ingredients
17 listed
Typical price
~€23, checked July 2026

How to use it

Morning and/or night, after your thinner water-based steps and before heavier creams.

Free from

  • Fragrance-free
  • Alcohol-free
  • Paraben-free

Best for

  • Acne Prone
  • Rosacea
  • Pigmentation
  • Oily

Worth knowing

Nothing our knowledge base would flag: no high-comedogenic or pregnancy-caution actives here.

Common questions

Is The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% good for acne prone skin?

By our read of the formula, it suits acne prone, rosacea, pigmentation skin. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a serum built around Azelaic Acid, Isohexadecane and Vitamin E. It leans strongest on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes. Best suited to acne prone, rosacea and pigmentation skin. Nothing in it we'd flag for most people.

How do you use The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%?

Morning and/or night, after your thinner water-based steps and before heavier creams.

What are the key ingredients in The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%?

The actives that do the work are Azelaic Acid, Isohexadecane, Vitamin E. The rest of the list is texture, preservatives and emulsifiers that hold the formula together.

Does The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contain fragrance?

No. By our reading of the ingredient list it is fragrance-free, which is a plus for sensitive or reactive skin.

The full formula, decoded

Every ingredient on the label, in the order it appears (highest amount first). We link the 6 our library knows, name what each one does, and flag anything that can irritate or clog. The rest we leave plain, nothing is hidden.

9 of the 17 sit above the line. The other 8 are each under 1%, in whatever order the brand chose to print them.
  1. Aqua (Water)Solvent (base)
  2. Isodecyl NeopentanoateEmollient (ester)
  3. DimethiconeOcclusive
  4. Azelaic AcidDicarboxylic acid
    mild irritant
  5. Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 CrosspolymerOcclusive
  6. Dimethyl Isosorbide
  7. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerThickener
  8. Polysilicone-11
  9. IsohexadecaneEmollient
  10. roughly the 1% lineThe rules only require descending order above 1%. From Tocopherol down, these 8 can be listed in any order the brand likes, so position stops telling you anything.
  11. TocopherolAntioxidant
    mild irritant
  12. Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateChelator (stabiliser)
  13. Isoceteth-20Emulsifier
  14. Polysorbate 60Emulsifier
  15. TriethanolaminepH buffer
  16. EthoxydiglycolSolvent
  17. PhenoxyethanolPreservative
    mild irritant
  18. ChlorphenesinPreservative
Copy the raw INCI list

Aqua (Water), Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Dimethicone, Azelaic Acid, Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Isohexadecane, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Triethanolamine, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Read enough? Find it on amazon.com →

We don't make or sell skincare of our own. So there's nothing here we're trying to push, just an honest read of whether this formula suits your skin.

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Chemical structure of Azelaic Acid