Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamideWorks well
“Dr Althea 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum is a nourishing serum that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, enhance skin texture and brighten the skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 7 moreWorks well
“Dr Althea 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum is a nourishing serum that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, enhance skin texture and brighten the skin tone.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, trehalose.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Niacinamide, Zinc pcaWorks well
“With 15% Niacinamide, it helps to improve large pores and takes care of the skin tone.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Vitis vinifera seed extract + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: vitis vinifera seed extract.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Vitis vinifera seed extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (vitis vinifera seed extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Pentylene glycol~6–9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolNiacinamide~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideButylene glycol~2.6–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.8%
Glycerin~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinTrehalose~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehalosePolyglyceryl-10 laurate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateXanthan gum~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.6–1.35%
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilZinc pca~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaMelaleuca alternifolia leaf oil~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilPortulaca oleracea extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractVitis vinifera seed extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that contains resveratrol and other anti-oxidant compounds that can help neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in skin and even out its tone. Can be also used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Vitis vinifera seed extractSaururus chinensis extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties
More about Saururus chinensis extractSaccharomyces/rice ferment filtrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of yeast fermentation. Can contain humectants that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help neutralize free oxidants
More about Saccharomyces/rice ferment filtrateTocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolLimonene~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Pentylene glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Glycerin, Trehalose, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Zinc pca, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Portulaca oleracea extract, Vitis vinifera seed extract, Saururus chinensis extract, Saccharomyces/rice ferment filtrate, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Dr. Althea15% Niacinamide Purity SerumYOUR PRODUCT | numbuzinNO.1 PANTOTHENIC B5 ACTIVE SOOTHING SERUM | elmtSkin Illuminating Solution | SkinLabNiacinamide Recovery Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 97% | 97% | 97% |
| Price | $23.88 | $16.49−$7.39 | — | $22.75−$1.13 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Alpha-Arbutin | Panthenol | Ectoin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SKIN&LAB Niacinamide Recovery SerumAHC Hydrating Korean Skincare Aqualuronic Face Serum
Product summary
"Dr. Althea - 15% Niacinamide Purity Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.50% - 5.20%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (zinc pca 0.35% - 0.85%, trehalose 1.40% - 2.10% and glycerin 1.70% - 2.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
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