NATURIUM Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% for sensitive skin
Niacinamide
Zinc Pca
Sodium Hyaluronate
Tocopheryl Acetate Vitamin E
GlycerinAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate benefits for your normal skin, as niacinamide and zinc PCA help regulate oil and calm inflammation, though these concentrations are primarily supportive rather than directly targeting your redness and irritation.
- The serum provides general hydration and soothing effects, which are beneficial but do not fully address your specific concerns.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components like niacinamide and glycerin.
How to apply
- Use your serum in the PM routine, starting 3 times a week before building up to daily use if your skin is happy.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏱ for it to soak in.
- Since your skin is sensitive and easily irritated, apply the serum on completely dry skin to help keep it calm.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid getting the serum too close to your eyes .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 12.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin, with users frequently reporting minimized pores, controlled oil production, and smoother skin texture. Some users, particularly those with sensitive skin, experience irritation, stinging, or breakouts due to the high concentration of niacinamide. A small number of users also noted a sticky residue or saw no visible results.
Highlights
Controls oil Mostly Mentioned
- “great at controlling sebum production”
- “controls the oiliness”
- “reduces oiliness”
Lightweight, absorbs fast Often Mentioned
- “absorbs really fast”
- “lightweight and absorbs quickly”
- “not sticky or heavy on the skin”
Minimizes pores Often Mentioned
- “pores look more minimized on and around my nose”
- “pores look smaller which is really nice”
- “visually refine the complexion”
Smooths texture Often Mentioned
- “skin definitely looks more smooth”
- “texture of this serum is really silky”
- “smooths appearance of fine lines”
Brightens tone Sometimes Noted
- “acne scars have lightened”
- “helps to brighten my skin”
- “even out skin tone”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “broke me out so bad”
- “caused breakouts for my skin”
- “bumps are going away”
Too strong Sometimes Noted
- “too strong for my sensitive skin”
- “high concentration... cause irritation”
- “harsh for some people's skin”
Causes irritation Rarely Noted
- “stinging and itching”
- “burning sensation”
- “reaction to it”
No results Rarely Noted
- “haven't seen any improvement”
- “don't necessarily see the difference”
- “didn't do anything for me”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “left such a sticky layer”
- “sticky residue”
- “tacky finish”
Sources: lovi.care, naturium.com, target.com, ulta.com, influenster.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Naturium Niacinamide 12% Plus Zinc 2% work for sensitive skin?
NATURIUM Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% works moderately well for sensitive skin because it helps calm inflammation and hydrate, but its high concentration is mainly supportive rather than directly targeting redness and irritation. A treatment for this skin needs soothing ingredients and gentle antioxidants that actively reduce redness while keeping the skin calm and comfortable.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide and glycerin make this serum safe for sensitive skin by offering gentle soothing effects without harsh ingredients. A treatment for this skin needs effective ingredients that calm redness and irritation, along with potent antioxidants, hydrating components, and skin-repairing ingredients.
What does Niacinamide do for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide helps calm sensitive skin by strengthening the skin barrier and reducing redness and irritation. It is very well tolerated and may improve overall comfort and resilience with regular use.
What does Zinc PCA do for sensitive skin?
Zinc PCA helps calm oily and sensitive skin by keeping excess oil under control. It works well alongside other gentle ingredients to clear breakouts while keeping your skin feeling comfortable.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after your toner and before your moisturizer. Putting it at night keeps it simple and avoids any extra sensitivity from sun exposure. Sensitive skin needs gentle hydrating ingredients like glycerin and soothing components like niacinamide to calm irritation without harsh effects.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol, but apply the retinol first and let it absorb before putting on the serum. This product is safe for your skin and helps calm redness, but sensitive skin needing a better fit should look for a product with higher concentrations specifically targeting irritation.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. To fit sensitive skin better, this type of product needs lower active concentrations alongside calming and barrier-supporting ingredients.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
Yes, this serum can sometimes cause breakouts on sensitive skin, as some reviewers note this issue. A product of this type needs gentle, non-pore-clogging ingredients that calm redness and irritation without heavy textures.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Vitamin E in O/W and W/O emulsions significantly increased stratum corneum hydration and enhanced water-binding capacity, with an optimum concentration of 5%.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Topical 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Zinc PCA inhibits UVA-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production through suppressed AP-1 activation and enhances type I collagen synthesis by increasing SVCT2 mRNA expression in cultured normal human dermal fibroblasts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012
Why other serums fit sensitive skin better
Topical application of TAT-SOD significantly suppresses UVB-induced erythema formation, blood flow rise, and apoptotic sunburn cell formation in human volunteers compared to a vehicle control.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 2016In 50 participants with sensitive skin, a Ceramide NP C15-containing emollient improved skin barrier function with a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss and induced modest changes in skin microbiota compared to the vehicle.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026
Ingredients
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Zinc Pca, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.