NATURIUM Azelaic Acid Emulsion 10% for combination skin
Azelaiс Acid
Niacinamide
Bioactive Brightening Complex
Allantoin
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate treatment for your combination skin, as azelaic acid and niacinamide help reduce blemishes and regulate oil production, though glycerin and squalane provide general hydration that is less targeted for oily shine.
- The inclusion of acetyl rheum rhaponticum root extract and astrocaryum murumuru seed butter offers additional soothing and nourishing benefits.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsUsers with sensitive, redness-prone, and acne-prone skin frequently praise this emulsion for its ability to calm inflammation and fade post-acne marks. While most find it gentle and effective for smoothing texture and brightening skin tone, a small minority experienced purging or found it insufficiently hydrating for very dry skin.
Highlights
Gentle formula Often Mentioned
- “Good for sensitive skin”
- “Non-irritating formula”
- “Gentle enough for AM/PM”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “Skin is so much glowy”
- “Smooths texture”
- “Minimizes uneven tone”
Reduces redness Often Mentioned
- “Helped my redness”
- “Calms visible redness”
- “Soothes irritated skin”
Fades acne marks Sometimes Noted
- “Stubborn post-acne marks go away”
- “Great for hormonal acne”
- “Decongests pores”
Lightweight feel Sometimes Noted
- “Creamy, lightweight”
- “Absorbs rapidly”
- “Non-greasy finish”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “Smells like Elmer's glue”
- “Unpleasant smell”
- “Specific chemical scent”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “Worst breakout ever”
- “Closed comedones”
- “Experienced purging”
Initial stinging Rarely Noted
- “Sting a bit at beginning”
- “Mild irritation”
- “Stinging sensation”
Not hydrating enough Rarely Noted
- “Need additional hydration”
- “Not for extremely dry skin”
- “Doesn't provide long-lasting moisture”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump several times to dispense”
- “Hard to prime”
- “Don't open or break vacuum”
Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, gopicky.com, skinsort.com, thingtesting.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Naturium Azelaic Acid Emulsion work for combination skin?
This emulsion works well enough for combination skin by using azelaic acid and niacinamide to help clear blemishes and control oil, though its general hydration is less targeted for oily shine. A treatment for combination skin needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to manage oily shine and enhance radiance without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this emulsion a good fit for combination skin?
This emulsion works for your combination skin because azelaic acid and niacinamide help clear blemishes and control oil, while allantoin and murumuru butter help soothe and nourish. To be a better fit for this skin type, a treatment of this kind needs ingredients like zinc PCA or propolis to manage oily shine without adding heavy moisture.
What does Azelaic Acid do for combination skin?
Azelaic acid helps calm angry, red spots and smooth out rough or uneven patches on combination skin. It also helps clear pores and keeps skin looking even without causing extra dryness.
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii, 2023Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2015
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
Where does this emulsion go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, as Lovi routines put treatments in the evening for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It helps combination skin by reducing blemishes and regulating oil production with azelaic acid and niacinamide, though combination skin also needs lightweight hydrators that balance oily shine without feeling heavy.
Can I use this emulsion with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this emulsion with retinol by applying your retinol first and following with this treatment once it absorbs. This product is unlikely to cause irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.
How often should I use this emulsion?
This treatment is used in the evening, starting once a week and slowly increasing the frequency if your skin handles it well. It is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation.
Can this emulsion clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This emulsion is unlikely to clog pores or cause major breakouts for combination skin, as it has a safe formula without harsh ingredients, though a small number of reviewers have reported low rates of breakouts. Azelaic acid and niacinamide help clear blemishes, but a product for combination skin also needs lightweight oil-balancing ingredients that manage shine without heavy moisturizers.
Is this emulsion fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol).
What the research says
Azelaic acid nanocrystal hydrogel 10% achieved a higher success rate and greater lesion reduction than azelaic acid cream 20% in patients with mild to moderate facial acne.
Pharmaceutics, 2021A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.
Antioxidants, 2021Application of 15% azelaic acid gel significantly reduced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation, decreased hemoglobin and melanin content, improved quality of life, and contributed to acne improvement in patients with mild to moderate acne compared to placebo.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2024Topical application of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid reduced acne relapses and helped maintain remission compared to a light moisturizing cream in adult females in the acne maintenance phase over 16 weeks.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2023Topical administration of 20% azelaic acid cream and 5% tranexamic acid solution comparably improved acne-related postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris, while tranexamic acid demonstrated a significantly better safety profile at week 4.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2023Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Topical 5% Jucá ethanolic extract formulations in Carbopol and Astrocaryum murumuru butter improved wound retraction and fibroplasia in dermal wounds of dogs compared to a commercial ointment control.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2020
Why other serums fit combination skin better
Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Azelaic Acid, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Methylpropanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Isostearyl Alcohol, C13-15 Alkane, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Sebacic Acid, Acetyl Rheum Rhaponticum Root Extract, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Carbomer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Panthenyl Triacetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylcellulose, Squalane, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopherol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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