COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum for dry skin
Niacinamide
Acetyl Glucosamine
Zinc Pca
Trehalose
AllantoinHigh
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few serums fit it even 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 excellent treatment for your acne-prone skin as niacinamide and zinc pca reduce acne lesions and blemishes while supporting skin barrier function and hydration for your dry skin.
- Trehalose and hydrolyzed sclerotium gum provide humectant action, though additional emollient ingredients would further enhance hydration for your dry skin.
- The formula is safe for your dry skin, containing soothing ingredients like niacinamide and allantoin with no harsh or prohibited substances.
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 3.1k+ reviewsThis serum is widely praised by users with oily and acne-prone skin for its ability to significantly control sebum and refine pore texture, often delivering a smoother, "glass skin" finish. The high 15% concentration is effective for many, but frequently causes irritation, stinging, or barrier damage for those with sensitive or dry skin types. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should be definitely taken into account.
Highlights
Controls excess oil Mostly Mentioned
- “less oily T-zone”
- “regulated sebum production”
- “kept oil at bay”
- “balanced my skin”
- “matte but glowing”
Lightweight absorption Often Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “non-sticky finish”
- “lightweight consistency”
- “layers well”
- “watery and fresh”
Reduces pore visibility Often Mentioned
- “pores look smaller”
- “tightened my pores”
- “pores less visible”
- “refined pore texture”
- “shrunk enlarged pores”
Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels softer”
- “bumpy texture gone”
- “smooths rough skin”
- “glass skin effect”
- “improved skin surface”
Fades acne marks Sometimes Noted
- “lightened dark spots”
- “faded post-acne marks”
- “helped with hyperpigmentation”
- “scars are lighter”
- “evened skin tone”
Causes irritation Sometimes Noted
- “stinging sensation”
- “face turned red”
- “burning on application”
- “itchy skin”
- “sensitized my face”
Too strong Sometimes Noted
- “15% is too harsh”
- “damaged skin barrier”
- “too potent for me”
- “over-exfoliated feeling”
- “strong chemical reaction”
Drying effect Rarely Noted
- “dried out my skin”
- “caused flaky patches”
- “skin felt tight”
- “not moisturizing enough”
- “sucked moisture out”
Induces breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused whiteheads”
- “broke me out”
- “tiny bumps appeared”
- “worsened my acne”
- “clogged my pores”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, iherb.com, sokoglam.com, yesstyle.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum a great fit for dry skin?
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum is a great fit for dry skin because it helps calm blemishes while supporting hydration and skin barrier function with niacinamide and zinc PCA. Trehalose draws in moisture, while soothing ingredients like allantoin keep the formula safe and gentle for your skin.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Skin Research and Technology, 2024
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
Trehalose helps draw moisture into your skin while niacinamide and allantoin keep things calm and comfortable. This formula is generally safe for dry skin, though adding rich moisturizing ingredients can help boost hydration even further.
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 Acetyl Glucosamine do for dry skin?
Acetyl glucosamine helps dry skin by increasing moisture and making the skin feel soft and smooth. It may also decrease flakiness and help normalize how the skin sheds dry surface flakes.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine, placed after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Using it at night keeps things simple and avoids extra safety concerns around sun exposure.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to help keep your dry skin calm and hydrated, followed by your retinol. The formula is safe for your skin with soothing ingredients like niacinamide and allantoin, and using a hydrating routine helps keep discomfort low.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum fits well into your routine in the evening, used on some nights or every day depending on how your skin feels. It helps soothe dry skin while keeping blemishes under control, and you can follow it with a rich moisturizer to keep your skin feeling soft and comfortable.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Skin Research and Technology, 2024
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry skin, though some reviewers have reported mild irritation or find it a bit strong. Its soothing ingredients and balanced formula make it generally safe, but adding extra moisturizing creams will help keep dry skin comfortable.
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, 2020Sodium trehalose sulfate decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content in participants with low stratum corneum water content when applied for 4 weeks compared to placebo.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Topical 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, 2021Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.
Scientific Reports, 2024Topical 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, 2006Topical 2% N-acetyl glucosamine reduced facial hyperpigmentation in an 8-week split-face clinical test, with an even greater effect observed when combined with 4% niacinamide.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2007N-acetyl-glucosamine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers successfully delivered the hydrophilic agent through the skin and reduced melanin distribution in healthy volunteers.
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2016Topical cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid, N-acetyl glucosamine, and gamma-amino butyric acid improved skin hydration by 24.28% to 33.60%, elasticity by 11.98%, and skin lightening by 5.26% over 2 months in 20 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2019Zinc 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 chloramphenicol-betamethasone combined with sodium hyaluronate/trehalose/carbomer gel compared to chloramphenicol-betamethasone alone reduced most subjective symptoms at 1 week but increased blurred vision at 4 weeks following strabismus surgery in 31 patients, with no significant differences in conjunctival inflammation between treatments.
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2019Topical treatment with Thealoz Duo significantly improved dry eye disease symptoms, tear break-up time, and restored tear lipid layer functionality by reducing inflammatory response proteins in moderate to severe dry eye patients over 56 days.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025An injectable product combining different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid and trehalose reduced CML formation by 45% at baseline and 30% under methylglyoxal-induced stress while preserving cell viability in human skin explants compared to untreated controls.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018
Ingredients
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Acetyl Glucosamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zinc Pca, Trehalose, Hydrolyzed Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, 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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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