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Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster bottle
Paula's Choice

10% Niacinamide Booster

Serum 20 ml
9.4OUT OF 10
Great formula

Formula has a high safety profile. Suitable for most skin types.

27
Safe
0
Caution
0
Higher risk

Score breakdown

Safety10/10
Barrier support10/10
Acne-safe9.1/10
Active treatment5/10

Our verdict

This is what a 10% niacinamide serum looks like when the formulator does not stop at the headline ingredient. Alongside the niacinamide sit acetyl glucosamine — an amino sugar with real evidence for supporting tone and, together with niacinamide, outperforming either alone — and ascorbyl glucoside, a stable vitamin C derivative that adds a second brightening pathway. Around them is a genuinely thoughtful support cast: licorice root and dipotassium glycyrrhizate for calming pigment-related redness, beta-glucan and panthenol for barrier comfort, plus EGCG, carnosine and genistein as antioxidants. It is fragrance-free and formulated at a skin-friendly pH. The honest caveats are the same as for any high-dose niacinamide: 10% delivers little extra over 5% for most people and raises the odds of flushing on sensitive skin, and this is a supporting active — expect gradual refinement of pores, tone and oiliness, not dramatic correction. It is meaningfully more expensive than budget alternatives, and what you are paying for is the supporting formula rather than the niacinamide itself. For pore and tone concerns on a skin that tolerates it, it is one of the best-built options available.

At a glance

What it does
hydrationsoothingbarrier supportbrightening
Best for
sensitive skinacne-prone skindry and dehydrated skinmost skin types
Not enough for
active anti-aging treatment

Key ingredients

Niacinamideevens skin tone and strengthens the barrierSodium Hyaluronateintensely hydratesAllantoinsoothes and softens skinLicorice Root Extractsupports skin comfort

Full ingredient list (27)

WaterNiacinamideAcetyl GlucosamineAscorbyl GlucosideButylene GlycolPhospholipidsSodium HyaluronateAllantoinBoerhavia Diffusa Root ExtractGlycerinDipotassium GlycyrrhizateLicorice Root ExtractEpigallocatechin GallateBeta-GlucanPanthenolCarnosineGenisteinCitric AcidSodium CitrateSodium HydroxideXanthan GumEthylhexylglycerinPolysorbate 20Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinatePentylene GlycolCaprylyl GlycolPhenoxyethanol

Colour indicates our safety assessment for each ingredient — green is well-tolerated, amber warrants caution, red is higher-risk. Tap any ingredient to read its full profile.

Frequently asked

How is this different from The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
Both deliver 10% niacinamide, but the supporting formulas differ substantially. The Ordinary pairs it with zinc for oil control in a minimal base. This one adds acetyl glucosamine and ascorbyl glucoside for tone, plus licorice, beta-glucan and antioxidants for calming and barrier support — a more elaborate formula at a much higher price.
Is 10% niacinamide too strong?
For some people, yes. Most of niacinamide's documented benefits appear around 2–5%, and higher concentrations mainly raise the chance of flushing or tingling without adding much benefit. If your skin is sensitive, start every other day or choose a lower-strength product.
What does it actually improve?
With consistent use it can refine the look of enlarged pores, even out tone, moderate excess oil and support the barrier. The added acetyl glucosamine and vitamin C derivative strengthen the tone-evening side. It works gradually over weeks — it is a supporting active, not a corrector for deep pigmentation.
What is the score based on?
The score comes from the same Pure Moonlight ingredient analyzer used across the whole site. It weighs safety, barrier support, acne and comedogenic risk, and active-ingredient strength, so this product's score is directly comparable to any ingredient page here.

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