Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% Review

Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5%
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
6Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% has to offer:
 
  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Significant anti-wrinkle efficacy. With an anti-wrinkle rating of 6.0 out of 10, Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% is effective in minimizing wrinkles.
  • Soothing: Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5%

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5%:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈45.0%), Propylene Glycol (est. ≈22.0%) and Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate (est. ≈11.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Significant Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% has a high anti-wrinkle rating of 6.0 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Niacinamide (est. ≈4.0%), 
 one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients. A clinical study involving 30 participants (Kawada et al.) confirmed that a cream with 4% niacinamide reduced the average depth of wrinkles around the eyes by 9% after 8 weeks of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without niacinamide).
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Niacinamide (est. ≈4.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Azelaic Acid (est. ≈5.0%) and Niacinamide (est. ≈4.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5%

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5%

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Skin V2.0 Azelaic Acid Serum 5% to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • Delivers signficant anti-wrinkle efficacy thanks to Niacinamide
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients like Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide

Cons: 

  • Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
45
22
11
5
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Function:
Origin:
Azelaic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Function:
Origin:
Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Allantoin
Function:
Origin:
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Function:
Origin:
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Function:
Origin:
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sophora Flavescens Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Hexylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Water
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
85.7
45
22
11
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 85.7 10
10.0
45
22
11
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
45
22
11
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 85.7 10
10
All humectants
85.7
45
22
11
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 4 6
Total
6
Niacinamide
6
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
4
Anti-wrinkle rating
6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
4
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 4.9 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
4.9
Niacinamide
4
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
0.3
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
5
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 12.4 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
12.4
5
4
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Glycerin
Est. %45
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Propylene Glycol
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Est. %11
Function
Origin
Pichia Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Azelaic Acid
Est. %5
Function
Origin
Azelaic AcidA powerful dermatological ingredient that helps to treat acne and various pigmentation issues. It appears both in medicated creams and regular skincare. It reduces redness and inflammation but can be irritating in high concentrations.
Niacinamide
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Corn Gluten Amino Acids
Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan
Panthenol
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Allantoin
Est. %1
Function
Origin
AllantoinA fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateA licorice root derivative with powerful anti-inflammatory and soothing activities. It is often used as a flavoring agent in lip products.
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
HydroxyethylcelluloseA naturally-derived thickener that can form clear gel textures without the slimy feeling, unlike some other natural gel-formers.
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Portulaca Oleracea ExtractDerived from green or common purslane, this moisturizing extract is particularly rich in alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, and contains antioxidant glutathione and vitamin E. As a herbal medicine, it is believed to treat headaches and inflammation.
Aloe Barbadensis Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis ExtractAn antioxidant extract from the gelatinous pulp of Aloe vera leaves with humectant moisturizing polysaccharide mucilage. It is suitable for irritated or eczema-prone skin.
Sophora Flavescens Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sophora Flavescens Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Hexylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hexylene GlycolA multifunctional ingredient that is best known for its use as a solvent. It can dissolve both water-based ingredients and oils. For this reason, it can also function as an emulsifier, allowing oil and water ingredients to mix and remain stable.
Water
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.