COSRX Azelaic Acid 10 vs Sunday Riley Peacekeeper
Should I choose COSRX Azelaic Acid 10 B5 Redness Soothing Cream or Sunday Riley Peacekeeper Acne Treatment Serum?
Short answer
Choose COSRX Azelaic Acid 10 B5 Redness Soothing Cream if you want a declared 10% azelaic acid in a fragrance-free cream for redness and post-blemish marks. Choose Sunday Riley Peacekeeper if you want a lightweight blemish serum that combines salicylic acid with azelaic acid and don't mind manuka oil, a scent ingredient on its label. Peacekeeper's percentages aren't stated, so the two can't be compared on strength.
What this means for you
Start with what you notice
If you have breakouts, redness or the dark marks pimples leave behind, azelaic acid is one of the gentler actives that addresses all three.
The ingredient names, translated
Azelaic acid is an acid that DermNet says is mainly used for mild to moderate acne and also helps reduce pigmentation. COSRX's cream gives it a stated 10% with panthenol and centella actives. Sunday Riley's serum adds salicylic acid, an exfoliant that works inside pores, which makes it more of an acne-focused product.
How to decide
- Redness, sensitive skin or post-blemish marks, and you avoid fragrance? COSRX Azelaic Acid 10 B5 cream.
- Active blackheads and breakouts, and you want salicylic and azelaic acid in one step? Sunday Riley Peacekeeper.
- Already use a salicylic acid cleanser or toner? COSRX's cream avoids doubling up on salicylic acid.
What to expect
Azelaic acid works slowly; changes in breakouts or marks usually take several weeks. DermNet notes it can irritate very sensitive skin. Persistent redness may be rosacea, which needs a dermatologist's diagnosis. We haven't tested either product.
General guidance, not a test of these products: DermNet: azelaic acid; AAD: acne treatment. Each product's label source is linked on its product page.
| Product | Size | Key ingredients | Skin type (brand) | Fragrance | Worth knowing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 ml | Azelaic Acid 10% | Brand doesn't say | Marketed as fragrance free | No flags recorded; not a safety guarantee | Brand's page Checked | |
| Brand doesn't list it | Salicylic Acid + Azelaic Acid | Brand doesn't say | Scent ingredients flagged | Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil | Brand's page Checked |
A redness cream vs a two-acid blemish serum
COSRX Azelaic Acid 10 B5 Redness Soothing Cream is a 30 mL cream with 10% azelaic acid, second on the label after water. It adds panthenol (vitamin B5), a centella complex including madecassoside, niacinamide, allantoin, zinc PCA and alpha-arbutin. COSRX sells it as fragrance free and positions it for visible redness, blemishes and post-blemish marks.
Sunday Riley Peacekeeper Acne Treatment Serum is a lightweight serum for blemish-prone skin. Its label lists salicylic acid and azelaic acid as active ingredients, without percentages on our record, plus beta-glucan, magnolia bark extract and kaolin. It also lists manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) branch and leaf oil, a scent ingredient. Sunday Riley says to apply one to three pumps over the whole face.
Where azelaic acid fits
DermNet says azelaic acid is mainly used for mild to moderate acne, also helps reduce pigmentation including marks after acne, and may help papulopustular rosacea. It also notes it can irritate very sensitive skin. The AAD notes acne treatments take 6 to 8 weeks to show fewer breakouts.
See our azelaic acid guide, dark spot correctors guide and ingredient mixing guide.
Manufacturer sources
Sources and label-check dates are recorded on the product pages.
Which is best for you?
COSRX Azelaic Acid 10 B5 Redness Soothing Cream
Best if you want a stated 10% azelaic acid in a fragrance-free cream.
Also consider it when
- Redness and post-blemish marks are your main concern
Sunday Riley Peacekeeper Acne Treatment Serum
Best if you want salicylic acid and azelaic acid together for breakouts.
Also consider it when
- You prefer a lightweight serum and don't avoid manuka oil
Worth knowing
- Scent ingredients on the label: Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil
Common questions
How much azelaic acid is in Sunday Riley Peacekeeper?
The product record doesn't state a percentage for either active. COSRX's cream states 10% azelaic acid.
Can I use azelaic acid with retinol?
Often, yes, but introduce one at a time. Our azelaic acid guide suggests alternating evenings if your skin becomes dry.
Is azelaic acid good for rosacea?
DermNet says it may help papulopustular rosacea. Rosacea is a medical condition, so get a diagnosis before treating it yourself.