Versus

Minimalist Niacinamide 10% Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum

Serum
Serum
Indian Brand India
French Brand France

Updated on June 28, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 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 common allergens, 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

Concerns

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

Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.

As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.

Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.

Learn more about Dimethyl Isosorbide
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

150 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
565 Routines
18% use in am
82% use in pm
72% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Minimalist Niacinamide 10% 20 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1)
skincareidiot's avatar

skincareidiot

10 months ago
Review

I may regret saying this, cause I am using a lot of niacinamide at the minute which could become a problem, but right now this is my holy grail. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and every time I put it on it feels like some kind of magic potion, my skin instantly feels so much better!! The gradual improvement I’ve seen since using it is amazing too! I know some people struggle with Show more

#hydrating
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum 19 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 13 ratings
Expensive (5) Absorbs Well (4) Works Well (3)
frejalarsen's avatar

Freja Larsen

4 months ago
Review

This product was horrible for me! First I got it recommended by a pharmacist for my face, but back then it was too tingly and I stopped using it. Now because I’ve gotten a bit bacne I would use it there. Apparently I might be allergic, and now I have to throw it out for good! I don’t know who’s face can tolerate this concentrated serum :/

#expensive
#irritating
#strong scent
GabriellaTsoukalas's avatar

GabriellaTsoukalas

1 year ago
Review

Worth the try for ACNE skin
I used it for about 2 years and I was more than satisfied. Upon returning on my Erasmus trip, it broke me out and made my skin dry. I don't know if anything happened during the trip but right now I don't use it. It's really good if you have taken acne treatment pills and you need smt to keep the acne away (from my experience at least).