SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum Review

SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum
2.4
/ 10
Moisturizing
4.8 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.4 out of 10.
  • Soothing: SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.

Key Benefits of SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Suitable for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.4 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 4.8 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈3.0%).

This product, when used alone as a moisturizer, can provide light humectant hydration in a fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients. This could work for people with oily skin who need a basic level of hydration.

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 Add-on for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - since it contains a moderate amount of humectants, such a humectant add-on will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer.

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

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Azelaic Acid (est. ≈10.0%).

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: SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum 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 SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum 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 SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of SkinCity Skincare Clearing 10% Azelaic Acid Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides moderate humectant moisturizing suitable for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing enhancement, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, specifically Azelaic Acid

Cons: 

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

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
70
10
4
3
2
1.5
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Azelaic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Isopropyl Isostearate
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Function:
Origin:
Triticum Monococcum (Wheat) Stem Water
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Sclerotium Gum
Function:
Origin:
Lysolecithin
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Pullulan
Function:
Origin:
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Bisabolol
Function:
Origin:
Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Silica
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
1,2-Hexanediol
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Sorbate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
4.8
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 4.8 10
4.8
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
2.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 4.8 10
4.8
All humectants
4.8
3
0.3
0.3
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
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.6 3 No
All antioxidants
0.6
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
0.3
Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
10
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 10.9 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
10.9
10
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %70
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.
Azelaic Acid
Est. %10
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.
Isopropyl Isostearate
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Isopropyl IsostearateA synthetic ester that offers superior spreadability.
Glycerin
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Triticum Monococcum (Wheat) Stem Water
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Triticum Monococcum (Wheat) Stem Water
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %1
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.
Sclerotium Gum
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sclerotium GumA thickener with a silky, velvety feel that many manufacturers use as an alternative to silicones.
Lysolecithin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LysolecithinLysolecithin is a special derivative of lecithin with improved emulsifying and dispersion properties in aqueous media. This leads to a higher water-binding capacity and better skin feeling. It is usually manufactured from soy lecithin and used as an emulsifying agent.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Pullulan
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pullulan
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractAn extract from the licorice root. It contains a well-researched anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin that can reduce inflammation. Licorice root extract is also used for its powerful antioxidant effects and ability to treat pigmentation.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilA castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
Bisabolol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Bisabolol

An anti-inflammatory compound found naturally in German chamomile essential oil. It has a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent. Bisabolol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties but can cause an allergic reaction in more sensitive individuals.

Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Silica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SilicaA widely used cosmetic ingredient with the same chemical composition as the sand found on beaches. A common function of silica is its ability to control viscosity. In certain chemical forms, it can effectively thicken cream-style products.
Propanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Biosaccharide Gum-1A polysaccharide with humectant moisturizing and soothing properties.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
1,2-HexanediolA multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.
Potassium Sorbate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium SorbateA preservative widely used in food and personal care products, available from natural sources or synthetically produced. Potassium sorbate works by inhibiting the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria.