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Gel5
10% Azelaic Acid Booster
A fragrance-free azelaic acid cream-gel with 0.5% salicylic acid that many find calming and smoothing, though some find it too mild.
7.5
Good
Beauty score
#13 of 14 serums
Community
—/10
- Format
- Gel-cream
- Size
- 1 fl oz
- Price per oz
- $41.40 / oz
- Price tier
- Mid-range
Made for: Acne-prone skin · Sensitive skin
Last reviewed November 2, 2026 by our editors · How we score
The verdict
A fragrance-free azelaic acid cream-gel with 0.5% salicylic acid that many find calming and smoothing, though some find it too mild.
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster pairs azelaic acid with 0.5% salicylic acid, licorice root, Boerhavia diffusa root extract, allantoin and bisabolol in a lightweight, oil-free cream-gel. The brand targets uneven tone, post-acne marks and redness, with full results after 4–12 weeks, and says it can be used alone or mixed into moisturizer. Bloggers report less redness and smoother texture, while others found it too mild or felt the salicylic acid aggravated irritation. At $42 for 1 fl oz, bloggers point to cheaper azelaic acid alternatives.
Best for
- Post-acne marks and uneven tone on acne-prone skin
- Adding azelaic acid without a separate BHA step
- Mixing into a moisturizer for a gentler routine
What we love
- Combines 10% azelaic acid with 0.5% salicylic acid for tone and congestion
- Fragrance-free with soothing licorice, bisabolol and allantoin
- Lightweight cream-gel that can be mixed into moisturizer
- Brand says it suits daily use, up to twice a day
Worth knowing
- $42 for 1 fl oz, well above simpler azelaic acid options
- Some reviewers found it too mild to see much change
- The salicylic acid may aggravate already irritated or redness-prone skin
How it scored
The breakdown.
Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.
7.5Good
Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.
- Results30%7.6
Two bloggers report less redness and smoother, more even skin within weeks, while others found it too mild or saw little change in redness; Paula's Choice says full results take 4–12 weeks.
- Formula & ingredients20%8.2
Azelaic acid at 10% with 0.5% salicylic acid and soothing extracts in a fragrance-free tube; the salicylic acid helps congestion, but one reviewer felt it aggravated irritation.
- Texture & experience15%7.8
A lightweight cream-gel that Paula's Choice says works under makeup without pilling and mixes into moisturizer; the brand acknowledges a faint ingredient scent.
- Value20%6.4
$42 for 1 fl oz is expensive for a 10% azelaic acid product, and one blogger suggests The Ordinary's suspension as a cheaper alternative.
- Community love15%7.6
Creator reviews since 2018 and enthusiastic fans on Reddit and blogs, balanced by reviewers who call it mild or irritating for redness.
Beauty profile
Inside the bottle.
Texture
Lightweight, oil-free cream-gel, per Paula's Choice; one blogger found it rich and creamy, like a moisturizer
Format
Gel-cream
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Size
1 fl oz / 30 ml
Key ingredients
Ingredient encyclopedia →- AzAzelaic acidBrighteners — ingredient guide
- SaSalicylic acidExfoliants & acne actives — ingredient guide
- AlAllantoinBarrier & repair — ingredient guide
What’s in it: 10% azelaic acid (per the product name) with 0.5% salicylic acid, plus adenosine, allantoin, bisabolol, licorice root extract and Boerhavia diffusa root extract.
How to use
Use morning and/or night after cleanser, toner and exfoliant, alone or mixed into a non-SPF moisturizer or serum, up to twice daily; finish with SPF 30+ during the day.
Free from (brand-stated)
- fragrance
Claims & certifications
- Cruelty-free (brand-stated)
- Fragrance-free
Full ingredient list (INCI)21 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand
- Water,
- Azelaic Acid,
- C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate,
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,
- Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate,
- Glycerin,
- Cetearyl Alcohol,
- Glyceryl Stearate,
- Dimethicone,
- Salicylic Acid,
- Adenosine,
- Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract,
- Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract,
- Allantoin,
- Bisabolol,
- Cyclopentasiloxane,
- Xanthan Gum,
- Sclerotium Gum,
- Propanediol,
- Butylene Glycol,
- Phenoxyethanol
Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.
Creator video reviews
Watch it in action.
Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.
We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.
What people say
Straight from the source.
Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.
5 verbatim quotes · 3 positive · 1 mixed · 1 critical
Beauty TidbitsPositive
I have been using Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster for a little over 3 weeks now and it has definitely made an improvement in my skin tone and texture. Not only is my complexion more even-toned but I have much less redness and my skin looks and feels smoother.
A Woman's ConfidencePositive
Since using this product, my skin is less red overall and it feels soft and smooth.
r/acnePositive
And for the texture and bumps paula's 10 azelaic acid booster. I love love LOVE it.
Ebun & LifeMixed
In general, especially if your skin has built a tolerance for high percentage of products, this is a very mild product. I had high hopes for it, but after a few weeks, it finally dawned on me that this product was not strong enough for my skin
An Introvert TalksCritical
Unfortunately, I didn’t see much positive change in the level of redness of my skin. At times I felt like the product was actually perpetuating the irritation because of the salicylic acid.
Price & value
Is it worth it?
Typical price
$42.00
for 1 fl oz / 30 ml
Per ounce
$41.40
DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury
Roughly 2.5× the typical price per ounce for serums. Our value score: 6.4/10 for a mid-range pick.
Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.
Where to buy
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money
Community
What members noticed.
Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.
No member ratings yet.
Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.
Highlighted: what it’s built to do.
Discussion
No discussions yet.
Tried Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster? Ask a question or share how it’s working for your skin or hair — you’ll be the first.
FAQ
Good questions.
How long does it take to work?
Paula's Choice says azelaic acid works from the first application, with full results visible after 4–12 weeks of consistent daily use; calmer skin may be noticeable sooner.
Can I use it every day?
Yes. The brand says it can be used every day, up to twice daily, morning and/or night, and recommends finishing with SPF 30+ during the day.
Is it an exfoliant?
Paula's Choice says azelaic acid is not an AHA or BHA and only mildly exfoliates, so it does not replace an exfoliant step. This booster does, however, also contain 0.5% salicylic acid.
Does it have a scent?
The brand says its products are fragrance-free, but this booster may have a faint scent from its ingredients that dissipates quickly after application.
Sources we checked (5)
- paulaschoice.com/10pct-azelaic-acid-booster/775.html
- beautytidbits.com/2019/01/paulas-choice-10-azelaic-acid-booster/
- awomansconfidence.com/2021/01/10/paulas-choice-10-azelaic-acid-booster-review/
- blog.ebunoluwole.com/paulas-choice-10-azelaic-acid-booster-review/
- anintroverttalks.com/a-tale-of-two-azelaic-acids-the-ordinary-paulas-choice-review/
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