++++

[ DemythSkin Verdict ]

Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum

SerumAcne / Oil Control

Efficacy

Exceptional

4.6 / 5.0

Safety

Safe

4.3 / 5.0

System Verdict

This is a legitimately high-evidence anti-acne and redness serum, but also a fairly intense formula that is overkill for very sensitive or minimalist routines. The 15% azelaic acid as a lead ingredient plus auxiliary salicylic acid, totarol, zinc PCA, and multiple centella triterpenoids justify a strong efficacy score for acne, rosacea-like redness and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, while the humectant and ceramide-rich base supports barrier repair; the only real downside is the potential irritation risk at this azelaic level and the crowded active roster for compromised skin.

Active Ingredients Detected

S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative

Azelaic AcidSalicylic Acid

A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results

WaterPanthenolGlycerinAllantoinSodium HyaluronateHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic AcidBeta-GlucanMadecassosideAsiaticosideAsiatic AcidMadecassic AcidTocopherolSqualaneCeramide NPSodium Hyaluronate HydroxypropyltrimoniumSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerSodium Hyaluronate DimethylsilanolAcetylated Sodium Hyaluronate

B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients

Propylene GlycolSodium Hydroxide1,2-HexanediolCentella Asiatica ExtractDipropylene GlycolButylene GlycolHydroxyethylcelluloseBiosaccharide Gum-1Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateTea Tree Leaf WaterCentella Asiatica Leaf ExtractCentella Asiatica Root ExtractDextrinTotarolZinc PCA

C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data

Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractMelia Azadirachta Flower ExtractTheobroma Cacao ExtractChlorella Vulgaris Extract

D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious

Ethylhexylglycerin

What Each Ingredient Does

Water: Solvent base
Azelaic Acid: Multi-functional anti-acne, brightening
Propylene Glycol: Humectant, penetration enhancer
Sodium Hydroxide: pH adjuster / buffering agent
1,2-Hexanediol: Solvent, preservation booster
Centella Asiatica Extract: Soothing, anti-inflammatory botanical
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract: Botanical antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract: Botanical antioxidant, skin conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol: Humectant, solvent
Butylene Glycol: Humectant, texture enhancer
Panthenol: Soothing, barrier-support humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose: Thickener, stabilizer
Glycerin: Core humectant for hydration
Ethylhexylglycerin: Preservation booster, skin conditioning
Salicylic Acid: BHA exfoliant, acne treatment
Biosaccharide Gum-1: Hydrating, soothing polymer
Allantoin: Soothing, anti-irritant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate: Anti-redness, anti-inflammatory
Sodium Hyaluronate: Hydrating hyaluronic acid salt
Tea Tree Leaf Water: Mild antimicrobial, refreshing
Theobroma Cacao Extract: Antioxidant, skin conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract: Soothing, antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Root Extract: Soothing, antioxidant
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract: Algae extract, antioxidant

Full Ingredient List (INCI)

Water, Azelaic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salicylic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tea Tree Leaf Water, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Dextrin, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Totarol, Tocopherol, Squalane, Zinc PCA, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate Hydroxypropyltrimonium, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Acetylated Sodium Hyaluronate

Frequently Asked

Is Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum worth it?

Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum scores 4.6 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Exceptional) and 4.3 out of 5.0 for safety (Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a legitimately high-evidence anti-acne and redness serum, but also a fairly intense formula that is overkill for very sensitive or minimalist routines. The 15% azelaic acid as a lead ingredient plus auxiliary sal

What are the key active ingredients in Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum?

Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid.

Does Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin flags these ingredients in Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum as potential irritants: Ethylhexylglycerin.

How is Anua Azelaic Acid 15 Intense Calming Serum scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

Buy on Amazon →Analyze on DemythSkin →

Analysis last updated: 2026-07-19. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.