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The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum bottle
The INKEY List

Niacinamide Serum

Serum 30 ml
8.4OUT OF 10
Great formula

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

22
Safe
0
Caution
1
Higher risk

Score breakdown

Safety8.7/10
Barrier support10/10
Acne-safe7.9/10
Active treatment3.5/10

Our verdict

This is a 10% niacinamide serum built with more care around the edges than the price suggests. Instead of the bare-bones water-and-gum base common at this price point, it layers squalane, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and phospholipids for genuine hydration support, plus allantoin and panthenol for calming, and soybean-derived sterols and glycolipids that help reinforce the skin barrier. That support cast matters: 10% niacinamide can be drying or cause flushing on its own, and this formula is clearly built to offset that. It's fragrance-free and sits comfortably under makeup or sunscreen. The honest caveat is the same one that applies to any 10% niacinamide product — most of the evidence for benefits (barrier support, oil regulation, tone) sits around 2–5%, so 10% offers marginal extra benefit for most people while raising the odds of irritation on sensitive skin. If your skin tolerates it well, though, this is a thoughtfully built version of a high-dose niacinamide serum.

At a glance

What it does
hydrationsoothingbarrier supportbrightening
Best for
dry and dehydrated skinmost skin types
Not enough for
active anti-aging treatment

Key ingredients

Niacinamideevens skin tone and strengthens the barrierSqualanesoftens and supports the barrierHyaluronic Acidintensely hydratesAllantoinsoothes and softens skin

Full ingredient list (23)

Water/aqua/eauNiacinamideGlycerinPropanediolButylene GlycolSqualaneLeuconostoc/radish Root Ferment FiltrateHyaluronic AcidPhenoxyethanolHydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerHydroxyethylcellulosePhospholipidsXanthan GumGlycine Soja (soybean Oil)AllantoinDisodium EDTAPolysorbate 60PanthenolGlycolipidsSoybean SterolsDisodium PhosphateSodium PhosphateCitric Acid

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

Why does this niacinamide serum include squalane and hyaluronic acid?
Because 10% niacinamide alone can be drying or cause flushing for some people, this formula adds squalane, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and phospholipids to actively support hydration and the skin barrier alongside the active. It's a more complete formula than a bare 'niacinamide and water' serum.
Is 10% niacinamide necessary, or should I use a lower percentage?
Most of niacinamide's documented benefits — barrier support, oil regulation, tone — occur around 2–5%. 10% doesn't reliably add much more benefit for most people, and raises the chance of tingling or flushing. If your skin is sensitive, a 5% product may suit you better; if you tolerate 10% well, there's no need to switch.
Can I use it alongside vitamin C or retinol?
Yes. Niacinamide layers safely with both vitamin C and retinoids despite the old myth that it cancels vitamin C out — that has been thoroughly debunked. If your skin is sensitive to multiple actives, using them at different times of day is a comfort choice, not a requirement.
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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