All scans / Serums / The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum
The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum ingredients: is it worth it?
Strong basic niacinamide serum with real utility, but its marketing should not be mistaken for a comprehensive acne or anti-aging treatment.
Strong basic niacinamide serum with real utility, but its marketing should not be mistaken for a comprehensive acne or anti-aging treatment.
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The 4.1/5 efficacy score is driven by 10% niacinamide in a prominent position, a suitable reported pH of 6.09, substantial humectant support, lightweight squalane, panthenol, allantoin, and 1% hyaluronic acid. It loses points because it lacks a retinoid, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or dedicated pigment-treatment active, so pore, blemish, and tone improvements are likely moderate rather than transformative. The 4.5/5 safety score reflects a fragrance-free formula with no denatured alcohol, essential oils, aggressive surfactants, or strong exfoliating-acid combination; phenoxyethanol is present as a conventional preservative.
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DemythSkin rates The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum 4.4/5 for efficacy and 4.7/5 for safety.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER
Gold Standards
High clinical proof | Skin-transformativeReliable
Proven resultsPotent
Developing evidenceOverhyped | Marketing
Hype | Limited dataDocumented Irritants
Evidence-backed flagFORMULATION BASE (9)⌄
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄
Water (Aqua / Eau), Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phospholipids, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Glycolipids, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Citric Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate.
WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (24)⌄
- Water (Aqua / Eau)
- Solvent and formula base
- Niacinamide
- Oil-control and barrier-support active
- Glycerin
- Humectant moisture binder
- Propanediol
- Humectant and solvent
- Butylene Glycol
- Humectant and solvent
- Phenoxyethanol
- Preservative
- Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
- Gel-forming viscosity modifier
- Hydroxyethylcellulose
- Thickener and stabilizer
- Phospholipids
- Skin-conditioning lipid support
- Squalane
- Lightweight emollient
- Xanthan Gum
- Thickener and stabilizer
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
- Emollient plant oil
- Allantoin
- Skin-conditioning soothing agent
- Sodium Phytate
- Chelating stabilizer
- Polysorbate 60
- Emulsifier and dispersant
- Panthenol
- Humectant and conditioning agent
- Glycolipids
- Skin-conditioning lipid support
- Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
- Preservative-support ferment
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Emulsifier and stabilizer
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols
- Skin-conditioning lipid support
- Citric Acid
- pH adjustment agent
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Humectant moisture binder
- Disodium Phosphate
- Buffering agent
- Sodium Phosphate
- Buffering agent
EXTERNAL CITATIONS
Niacinamide: The brand identifies a 10% concentration and claims support for excess oil, blemishes, redness, and barrier function.
Hyaluronic Acid: The brand identifies a 1% hyaluronic acid solution for hydration.
Glycerin: Listed near the top of the formula as a humectant supporting water retention.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum: common questions
Is The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum worth it?
The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Effective) and 4.7 out of 5.0 for safety (Very Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. Strong basic niacinamide serum with real utility, but its marketing should not be mistaken for a comprehensive acne or anti-aging treatment.
What are the key active ingredients in The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum?
The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum contains no gold-standard actives. Its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.
Does The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum contain fragrance or known irritants?
DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum. It scores 4.7 out of 5.0 for safety.
How is The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum scored?
DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.
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