10% Azelaic Acid Booster

This multi-use booster targets several stubborn skin concerns at once with its powerhouse blend of azelaic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid, plus plant-derived brightening and soothing ingredients. Lightweight, oil-free texture works beautifully on its own or mixed with other boosters or serums.

This multi-tasking cream-gel formula reduces the look of blemishes, smooths bumpy texture, calms redness, and steadily fades uneven skin tone and post-breakout marks.

Once or twice daily, apply to face and neck. May be used alone or added to your favorite moisturizer or serum. For daytime, always follow with sunscreen.

If you have a salicylate allergy, check with your physician before using any products that contain salicylic acid.

Key Ingredients: Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract

All Ingredients: Water (Solvent | Good), Azelaic Acid (Antioxidant, Exfoliant, pH Adjuster/Stabilizer | Best), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate (Emollient, Texture Enhancer, Solvent | Good), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Emollient, Texture Enhancer, Plant Extracts | Best), Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate (Emollient, Emulsifier | Good), Glycerin (Humectant, Texture Enhancer, Solvent | Best), Cetearyl Alcohol (Texture Enhancer, Emollient | Good), Glyceryl Stearate (Emollient, Emulsifier, Cleansing Agent | Good), Dimethicone (Silicone, Emollient | Best), Salicylic Acid (Exfoliant, Humectant | Best), Adenosine (Plant Extracts | Best), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (Antioxidant, Plant Extracts | Best), Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract (Plant Extracts, Antioxidant | Best), Allantoin (Plant Extracts | Best), Bisabolol (Plant Extracts, Antioxidant | Best), Cyclopentasiloxane (Silicone, Emollient, Solvent | Good), Xanthan Gum (Texture Enhancer, Cleansing Agent, Emulsifier | Good), Sclerotium Gum (Texture Enhancer, pH Adjuster/Stabilizer | Good), Propanediol (Solvent, Texture Enhancer | Good), Butylene Glycol (Humectant, Texture Enhancer | Good), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative | Good)

Ingredient Spotlight:

• Azelaic Acid: Soothing agent and gentle exfoliant that refines skin’s texture and reduces blemishes + their marks. Famous for calming reddened, sensitive skin. Helps improve the appearance of redness; Aides in clarifying skin; Offers gentle exfoliating properties
• Salicylic Acid: Oil-soluble exfoliating ingredient that gently helps slough off dead skin cells and unclogs pores, for softer, smoother texture and tone. Also known as beta hydroxy acid (BHA); Best known for exfoliating properties; Oil solubility lets it exfoliate inside pores
• Adenosine: Known for wrinkle-smoothing and skin-soothing benefits. Adenosine is also naturally present in skin, allowing for ideal biocompatibility. Helps improve the visible appearance of wrinkles; Has soothing properties; Also smooths skin's surface
• Allantoin: An ingredient that can be naturally derived or made synthetically. It has skin-soothing and moisturizing properties, making it an excellent inclusion in products designed for sensitive skin. Can soothe skin; Has skin moisturizing properties; Helps mitigate skin’s response to active ingredients
• Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract: Skin-soothing antioxidant that delivers additional beneficial compounds, such as amino acids. May also help visibly correct uneven skin tone. Delivers skin-soothing, antioxidant properties; Shows promise for improving the look of discolorations; Source of skin-beneficial amino acids

Advances in Dermatology and Allergology,December 2023, pages 716–724
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment,March 2022, pages 722–732
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology,March 2017, issue 1, pages 35-42; and September 2016, issue 3, pages 269-282
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, March 2017, pages 37-40; and July 2010, pages 20-31
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, October 2016, pages 771-775
Skin Therapy Letter, January 2016, pages 1-7

Can I use the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster if I have acne?

Yes, azelaic acid is suitable even for those with acne-prone skin when used in combination with ourCLEAR anti-acne collection.

Is azelaic acid an exfoliant?

Azelaic acid isn’t strictly an exfoliant in the same way anAHA or BHA productis. While it does offer mild exfoliating effects, it’s not intended to take the place of your normal exfoliant step. Instead, azelaic acid’s robust benefits complement what an AHA or BHA exfoliant can do for clearer skin.

Is azelaic acid good for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, we recommend testing azelaic acid on a small area where you have sensitivity and seeing how your unique skin type responds.

What does azelaic acid do?

Azelaic acidis really good at keeping skin healthy because it blocks things that can cause aggravation. It’s a unique antioxidant, and its multi-pronged benefits include brightening, clearing and soothing skin.

How long does azelaic acid take to work?

Azelaic acid works from the first application, with full results visible after 4-12 weeks of consistent daily use. Immediately calmer skin may be noticeable even sooner.

Is azelaic acid an AHA?

Azelaic acid is not an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) nor is it a BHA (beta hydroxy acid). Azelaic acid is classified as a dicarboxylic acid, which offers unique skin-calming properties.

Can azelaic acid cause purging?

While azelaic acid is generally well-tolerated due to its gentle, soothing nature, there are rare instances of skin purging, especially if someone is using it for the first time. This is only temporary, however, and clears quickly. Learn more aboutskin purging.

How should azelaic acid be used in a routine?

Azelaic acid can be used morning and/or night. Use your cleanser, toner and AHA or BHA exfoliant first, then layer your azelaic acid treatment in along with the rest of the products in your routine in order of thinnest to thickest texture. During the day, always finish with SPF 30+.

Can you apply moisturizer after azelaic acid?

Yes, you can apply moisturizer after azelaic acid. Another option is to mix azelaic acid directly into your non-SPF moisturizer. This ingredient plays nicely with others — there is no concern of it overpowering or deactivating other superstar actives.

Can you use azelaic acid every day?

Yes, you can use azelaic acid every day (up to twice daily). Consistent use is key for best/fastest results.

What does azelaic acid do for discoloration?

Azelaic acid visibly improves the look of discoloration by clarifying and evening skin tone. Additionally, by calming factors within skin, visible symptoms associated with discoloration become less noticeable.

Does the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster have a noticeable scent?

While Paula's Choice products are fragrance-free, each product may have a unique scent due to its ingredients. The scent of the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster that some may notice is from the combination of ingredients it contains. This scent dissipates quickly after application. The perception of smell can vary greatly between individuals, so what one person notices, another may not notice at all. Many customers find that they quickly get used to the unique scents of Paula's Choice products and that the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks. Learn more aboutfragrance-free skin care.

Does the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster work well under makeup?

This azelaic acid’s lightweight cream-gel texture generally works well under makeup. Applied in thin layer and allowed to absorb, this non-pilling, oil-free multitasker helps smooth skin’s texture and provides a comfortable base for foundations, skin tints, sunscreens, and other complexion products.