Updated on March 31, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Smoothing

Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.

And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.

In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.

If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.

In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).

Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.

Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.

The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.

Learn more about Niacinamide
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

When to use

9 Routines
78% use in am
22% use in pm
56% use every day
429 Routines
57% use in am
43% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Biologique Recherche Oligo-Protéines Marines Energizing Anti-Dark Circle Face Serum 19 ingredients

Oligo-Protéines Marines Energizing Anti-Dark Circle Face Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Haruharu Wonder Centella 4% TXA Dark Spot Go Away Serum 17 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 7 ratings
Absorbs Well (5) Light (4) No Scent (4)
exotic1x's avatar

Exotic1x

9 months ago
Review

When I first used this product I didn’t think it was doing anything but I continued to use it because it didn’t break me out. about 3-4 weeks later i’m looking back at old picture of my skin and it really does make a difference with dark spots. I was and currently using panoxyl 4% so maybe that played somewhat of a part but I do recommend this product for acne scars, dark spots but i didn’t find Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
sseulrne's avatar

🍵

7 months ago
Review

It’s been 3-4 months already since I started using this and it’s a great product. It’s lightweight, it didn’t irritate my skin at all and I also noticed that my skin really got brighter over time. However, it did little to nothing to fade my hyperpigmentation :( I’m guessing that my case is just really stubborn

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent