Niacinamide 20 Serum
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.
Good for: Brightening, Barrier repair, Anti-inflammatory
A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Good for: Hydrating
Fades stubborn dark patches like melasma and deep marks left behind by acne or hormonal shifts. The one to reach for when other brighteners haven't worked.
Good for: Brightening
Another cica (centella) compound. This one specifically pushes collagen production, so the benefit is more about firmness than calming.
Good for: Anti-aging, Anti-inflammatory
A Korean botanical that calms angry, reactive skin. Especially soothing during flare-ups.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory
A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Hydrating
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
A "master antioxidant" your body already makes. In skincare it gently lightens overall tone and helps fade pigmentation when used consistently over months.
Good for: Brightening, Antioxidant
A potent dark-spot fader long favored by dermatologists. Pairs strongly with niacinamide for stubborn discoloration without the irritation of hydroquinone.
Good for: Brightening, Antioxidant
Evidence behind the ingredients
Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.
A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.
Moro F et al., Skin Cancer Prevention and Antiaging: Role of Nicotinamide, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026
Passeron T et al., An Investigator-Blinded, Randomized Trial of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Containing Sclareolide and Niacinamide, Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) 2026
Vergilio MM et al., Topical Formulation with Niacinamide Combined with 5 MHz Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2025
A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.
Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.
Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging
Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020
Fades stubborn dark patches like melasma and deep marks left behind by acne or hormonal shifts. The one to reach for when other brighteners haven't worked.
Liang Y et al., Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024 — oral TXA + topical agents most effective delivery route
Tranexamic Acid Ameliorates Skin Hyperpigmentation by Downregulating Endothelin-1 Expression in Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Annals of Dermatology 2024;36(3):151-162 — mechanism study showing oral TXA suppresses endothelin-1 in vascular endothelial cells
Calacattawi R, Alshahrani M, Aleid M et al., Tranexamic acid as a therapeutic option for melasma management: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2024;35(1):2361106 — pooled RCT evidence that tranexamic acid significantly reduces melasma severity via plasmin-inhibition of UV-triggered melanogenesis
+−6 more ingredients
Another cica (centella) compound. This one specifically pushes collagen production, so the benefit is more about firmness than calming.
Bandopadhyay S et al., Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2023;27(5):593-608 — asiaticoside and madecassoside have wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and dermatological potential
Park KS, Pharmacological Effects of Centella asiatica on Skin Diseases: Evidence and Possible Mechanisms, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2021;2021:5462633 — documents asiaticoside efficacy across wound healing, scarring and inflammatory dermatoses
Peng Q et al., Transdermal characteristics and mechanism of asiaticoside nanoemulsions and asiaticoside nanoemulsions-based gels, Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica) 2018;43(9):1857-1863 — asiaticoside nanoemulsions achieved 6-7x greater drug permeation and 5-6x greater skin deposition vs commercial cream
A Korean botanical that calms angry, reactive skin. Especially soothing during flare-ups.
Wang Y et al., A review of the research progress on Artemisia argyi Folium: botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and clinical application, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology 2024;397(10):7473-7500 — comprehensive review of 136 compounds; documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial topical use in eczema/dermatitis
Hirano A et al. (Kyushu University, Furue lab), Antioxidant Artemisia princeps extract enhances the expression of filaggrin and loricrin via the AHR/OVOL1 pathway, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2017;18(9):1948 — Japanese-authored mechanism study explaining how APE upregulates barrier proteins via AHR/OVOL1; no human efficacy trial yet
Lee JH et al., Topical Application of Eupatilin Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice, Annals of Dermatology 2017;29(1):61-68 — Korean-authored study showing topical eupatilin (Artemisia flavonoid) reduced atopic-dermatitis-like lesions and inflammatory markers
A gentle smoother and skin-soother. Reduces flakiness and helps the surface look more even.
Xu Z et al., Efficacy and Safety of Topical Compound Heparin Sodium Allantoin Gel for the Treatment of Rosacea, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(4):e70129 — RCT (n=82, 12 weeks): allantoin gel improved erythema and alleviated itching/burning vs traditional therapy
Tan C et al., The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate mitigates UVB-induced PGE2 synthesis by keratinocytes, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2024;46(5):691-701 — in vitro: allantoin combination reduced UVB-induced PGE2, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα
Saucedo-Acuna RA et al. (Mexico), Characterization and In Vivo Assay of Allantoin-Enriched Pectin Hydrogel for the Treatment of Skin Wounds, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023;24(8):7377 — allantoin-pectin hydrogel reduced wound healing time by ~71% with complete closure at day 15 in rat model
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
A "master antioxidant" your body already makes. In skincare it gently lightens overall tone and helps fade pigmentation when used consistently over months.
Stanescu C et al., Glutathione in Skin Aging and Tissue Regeneration: A Systematic Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Redox Modulation, and Biomedical Implications, Molecules 2026
Sarkar R et al., Glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review, International Journal of Dermatology 2025
Wahab S et al., Combination of topical and oral glutathione as a skin-whitening agent: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, International Journal of Dermatology 2021;60(8):1013-1018 — 8-week RCT showed combination significantly lowered melanin and raised lightness vs placebo
A potent dark-spot fader long favored by dermatologists. Pairs strongly with niacinamide for stubborn discoloration without the irritation of hydroquinone.
Wu A, Gabriel V, Burney W, Chambers C, Pan A, Sivamani RK, Prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study of split-body comparison of topical hydroquinone and hexylresorcinol for skin pigment appearance, Archives of Dermatological Research 2023;315(7):2095-2099 — split-body RCT, 1% hexylresorcinol equivalent to 2% hydroquinone in pigmentation reduction at 4 and 12 weeks
Shariff R et al., Superior even skin tone and anti-ageing benefit of a combination of 4-hexylresorcinol and niacinamide, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2022;44(1):103-117
Draelos ZD, Diaz I, Cohen A, Mao J, Boyd T, A novel skin brightening topical technology, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2020;19(12):3280-3285 — 12-week clinical trial (n=42) of hexylresorcinol + silymarin + vitamins C/E showed 45% improvement in brightening and improvements in evenness and fine lines
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
Full ingredient list
Everything on the package label, not just the tracked actives above.
+−Show all 35 ingredients
Listed in the order printed on the package. By regulation, ingredients at 1% or higher are listed in descending order by concentration, so the first entry is the largest part of the formula.
- Water
- Niacinamide
- Propanediol
- Butylene Glycol
- Tranexamic Acid
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- Hydroxyacetophenone
- Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
- Glycereth-25 Pca Isostearate
- Arginine
- Ethylhexylglycerin
- Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
- Dextrin
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
- Glycerin
- Zea Mays Kernel Extract
- Dipropylene Glycol
- Glutathione
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Hydrogenated Lecithin
- Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
- Asiaticoside
- Hedera Helix Extract
- Madecassic Acid
- Asiatic Acid
- Fructan
- Glucose
- Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
- Portulaca Oleracea Extract
- Allantoin
- Hexylresorcinol
- Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract
- Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract
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