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Skin Nutrition Botanicals Niacinamide 5% + Squalane Serum for dry skin

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 suitability for dry skin due to the presence of glycerin and panthenol for humectant action, but lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients for optimal hydration.
  • The product provides excellent brightening and evening of skin tone due to moderate concentrations of kojic acid, which is beneficial for hyperpigmentation.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like glycerin and squalane.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Some users with sensitive skin have reported mild irritation. There are also infrequent comments regarding the brand's lack of transparency and difficulty in finding the product.

Highlights

  • Affordable price Mostly Mentioned
    • “accessible way to try skincare without the hefty price tag”
    • “surprisingly effective for the price point”
    • “elevate your skincare game without draining your wallet”
    • “the price feels shocking”
  • Hydrating and moisturizing Often Mentioned
    • “makes your skin nice and smooth”
    • “maintains skin hydration effectively”
    • “softens, hydrates and moisturizes”
    • “skin just feels fresher”
  • Causes irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “makes my skin burn when I put moisturizer over it”
    • “had some kind of reaction to it, face became tight and red”
    • “stings even after letting the serum sit”
    • “can be an irritant for some, especially those with very sensitive skin”
  • Hard to find Rarely Noted
    • “hard to find the specific serum in stores”
    • “all look similar, maybe I've missed it”
    • “still on the hunt for it”
  • Lacks transparency Rarely Noted
    • “company has no contact info or presence otherwise”
    • “super sus, hard to find company info”
    • “genuinely worried about bad labeling or inconsistent packaging”
    • “not been able to find anything on the product nor the company”

Sources: lovi.care, reddit.com, ebay.com, skinsort.com, lemon8-app.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Skin Nutrition Botanicals Niacinamide 5% + Squalane Serum work for dry skin?

Skin Nutrition Botanicals Niacinamide 5% + Squalane Serum offers moderate suitability for dry skin, providing helpful humectants while lacking sufficient rich softening ingredients for optimal hydration. It may brighten skin tone well, and a product for this skin needs nourishing ingredients that deeply moisturize, repair the skin barrier, and support skin health.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?

Glycerin and panthenol help provide moderate hydration for dry skin by pulling in moisture. To truly fit dry skin well, a product of this type needs rich softening and sealing ingredients like ceramides and rich oils to lock that moisture in.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?

Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Squalane do for dry skin?

Squalane helps keep dry skin soft and smooth by acting as a hydrating agent that locks in moisture and prevents water loss. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect the skin from damage while improving overall hydration.

Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2012Molecules, 2009

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This treatment serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It works for dry skin, though this skin type needs extra rich moisturizing creams and oils to lock in hydration.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first in your evening routine, as it is unlikely to irritate your dry skin due to its soothing ingredients. However, because this product has only moderate suitability for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer sealing and softening ingredients to lock in moisture.

How often should I use this serum?

This treatment serum should be used in the evening as part of your routine. Dry skin needs added rich oils and heavy moisturizing creams to lock in moisture and prevent dryness.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or irritation for dry skin because it is free of harsh ingredients and includes soothing agents like glycerin and squalane. However, because it is only an average fit for dry skin, a product of this type needs richer softening and sealing ingredients to truly lock in moisture.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A 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, 2017
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025
  • A topical formulation containing kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid demonstrated efficacy parity compared with hydroquinone 4% in multiethnic participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia.

    Cutis, 2010
  • A nanoemulsion containing 1 mg/mL kojic dipalmitate and 5% rosehip oil demonstrated high incorporation efficiency, suitable physicochemical stability, antioxidant and depigmenting efficacy close to 1 mM ascorbic acid, and no cytotoxicity at concentrations from 0.06% to 1% in vitro.

    Pharmaceutics, 2023
  • Topical application of iron chelators kojic acid and deferiprone significantly accelerated wound healing in rats compared to control groups, with deferiprone showing superior efficacy due to higher antioxidant and iron chelation abilities.

    International Wound Journal, 2013
  • A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026
  • Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
  • Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2013
  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

Why other serums fit dry skin better

Ingredients

Glycerin, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Kojic Acid, Sucrose, Squalane, Saccharomyces Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Disodium Edta, Carbomer, Beta-Carotene, Lauryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tocopherol

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.