No. 45
in skincare
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How it works.
75% would recommend
Why we ranked it No. 45 in skincare
Sample
40 redditors with explicit opinion · 9 positive · 3 negative · 0 neutral
Score
0.552 — formula: 0.75 × % positive + 0.25 × pos/neg ratio
Confidence95% CI: 47–91% · the true approval rate falls in this range with 95% statistical confidence
Verdict
Recommended — ≥50% positive. Mixed but more good than bad.
Sources
r/KoreanBeauty, r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddictionUK, r/AsianBeauty + 2 more
Anua · skincare
Recommended
Azelaic Acid
r/KoreanBeautyr/SkincareAddictionr/30PlusSkinCarer/SkincareAddictionUKr/AsianBeautyr/acne
TL;DR — Reddit consensus
Azelaic acid serum that visibly reduces redness and PIE for multiple skin types. Takes 2-4 months to see results, and some users report peeling.
What redditors love
+
Eliminates facial redness visibly
“Anua azelaic acid. No more redness!”
u/Substantial-Play5201 · r/KoreanBeauty →
+
Works on body acne after shower application
“his on my back, chest and shoulders after a shower or exercise, it's great. - Anua Azelaic Acid + Hyaluronic serum (this stuff has made the BIGGEST change)”
u/Leading-Late · r/30PlusSkinCare →
+
Fades PIE from pustule breakouts
“I did have some PIE from all of my pustules so I added in the Anua Azelaic Acid and my skin seems to be liking it also!”
u/Diligent-Solution-82 · r/SkincareAddiction →
+
Works for oily and sensitive skin together
“i have oily and sensitive skin, i pair this with the anua azelaic acid serum and it works wonders:>>”
u/sophiadumplings · r/AsianBeauty →
+
Effective when breaking out at night
“I use a serum, specifically the Anua azelaic acid serum at night because I find that it helps me whenever I break out”
u/yuukinss · r/KoreanBeauty →
What they don’t
−
No visible progress after 2 months twice weekly
“Used anua azelaic acid. Twice a week for 2 months. Didnt see any progress.”
u/Curious-One-9523 · r/SkincareAddiction →
−
Still ineffective after 4 months daily use
“I've been trying the Anua Azelaic acid for about 4 months but it isn't helping.”
u/OriginalAlbatross871 · r/SkincareAddictionUK →
−
Causes skin to peel and flake
“I've been using this Anua azelaic acid 10% for it but there's a problem because. My skin has started to peel and flake”
u/nadia_xox67 · r/30PlusSkinCare →
COMPARE WITH
Cheaper alternative
Haruharu
Wonder Black Rice Serum
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Premium pick
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay uvmune
→
Direct quotes
What 12 redditors actually said.
Top 6 by confidence shown — expand below for the rest. Click any to open the original on Reddit.
T
u/ThickPomegranate2560
·
r/KoreanBeauty
Dry skin
My holygrails:
1. Haru haru black rice face wash
2. Anua azelaic acid
3. Round lab sunscreen
S
u/Substantial-Play5201
·
r/KoreanBeauty
Anua azelaic acid. No more redness!
Numbuzin 9 toner. Nice moisture boost that doesn’t leave oil
C
u/Curious-One-9523
·
r/SkincareAddiction
Used anua azelaic acid. Twice a week for 2 months. Didnt see any progress.
L
u/Leading-Late
·
r/30PlusSkinCare
his on my back, chest and shoulders after a shower or exercise, it's great.
\- Anua Azelaic Acid + Hyaluronic serum (this stuff has made the BIGGEST change)
\- Let it absorb,
O
u/OriginalAlbatross871
·
r/SkincareAddictionUK
breastfeeding so there are certain products I can't use.
I've been trying the Anua Azelaic acid for about 4 months but it isn't helping.
**Current routine:**
AM: rinse face
S
u/sophiadumplings
·
r/AsianBeauty
i have oily and sensitive skin, i pair this with the anua azelaic acid serum and it works wonders:>>
Show all 12 mentions ↓
"e red it’s PIE( post inflamatory erythema)
But basically I’ve been using this Anua azelaic acid 10% for it but there’s a problem because. My skin has started to peel and flake"
View thread →
"ar on TikTok which has me worried the price might increase lol. I also like the Anua Azelaic Acid."
View thread →
"I’m my opinion it’s the Anua azelaic acid!"
View thread →
"dness.
To target the redness you could use an azelaic acid product. I like the anua azelaic acid serum 10+.
To prevent lines you could start using retinoids (start using it o"
View thread →
Buying decision
Who buys this, who regrets it.
A decision-oriented breakdown beyond the quotes — based on Reddit patterns and known issues.
Who it's for
- Retinol-intolerant users — azelaic acid is r/SkincareAddiction's most-recommended off-ramp
- Rosacea / facial redness — multiple Reddit reports of visible redness reduction in 2-4 weeks
- PIE (post-inflammatory erythema) and active acne overlap — works on both
Who should skip
- Anyone tolerating adapalene or retinol fine — keep the retinoid as primary, azelaic as add-on
- Anti-aging-primary goals — azelaic does not meaningfully address fine lines or texture
- Need results in <8 weeks — azelaic is typically 2-4 months to visible change
Buying verdict
Buy if: retinol broke your barrier and you need a gentler-but-still-effective active, or you have rosacea / PIE / overlapping acne. Skip if: you tolerate retinoids fine — azelaic is the alternative, not the primary route.
Common complaints from Reddit
- MINORSlow visible change — 2-4 months minimum to see redness/PIE reduction
- MINORMild peeling/flaking in users with pre-existing dryness
- MINORCan pill under sunscreen or makeup if applied too thick
If this isn't it — consider
Return to retinoid once barrier healed
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Adapalene is the gold standard once your barrier can tolerate it again
Budget retinoid for second attempt
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% (90-Day Supply)
Same active as LRP at $13 — try again with slower ramp once barrier is ready
Threads tracked
The conversations we're watching.
●
r/KoreanBeauty
r/KoreanBeauty
●
r/KoreanBeauty
r/KoreanBeauty
●
r/SkincareAddiction
r/SkincareAddiction
●
r/30PlusSkinCare
Hormonal Skin Holy Grail
●
r/SkincareAddictionUK
Redness On Face Advicehelp Please
●
r/AsianBeauty
r/AsianBeauty
●
r/SkincareAddiction
Ba It Wasnt Hormonal Acne
●
r/KoreanBeauty
Can You Use An Active Ingredient When Youre
Read also
Reddit deep-dives that mention this product.
Adjacent
Often mentioned in the same threads.
03
Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF50+
Lightweight Korean sunscreen that feels like nothing on skin—no white cast, applies clear in seconds.
★ · 462 Amazon reviews
Buy on Amazon
See price
