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Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum with Ectoin for oily acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum with Ectoin

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 skin tone evening and barrier resilience for your oily skin, as niacinamide and ectoin help regulate oil and repair the skin barrier. Glycerin and propanediol provide supportive hydration beneficial for acne and breakouts.
  • The formula is highly suitable for oily skin due to the presence of niacinamide for seboregulation and ectoin for barrier repair.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.

How to apply

  • Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
  • Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Based on limited data, this serum is highly regarded as a gentle and hydrating option, particularly suitable for sensitive or reactive skin. Users frequently report improvements in skin texture, a reduction in redness, and minimized pores. The inclusion of Ectoin is noted for providing a plump and hydrated feel without the irritation sometimes associated with higher concentrations of niacinamide.

Highlights

  • Lightweight texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “super lightweight”
    • “glides on like butter”
    • “no greasy residue”
  • Gentle & non-irritating Often Mentioned
    • “no stinging at all”
    • “perfect for sensitive skin”
    • “didn't cause redness like the 10% version”
    • “calmed my reactive skin”
  • Hydrating & plumping Often Mentioned
    • “skin feels plump”
    • “adds an extra layer of hydration”
    • “leaves skin baby soft”
    • “hydrating without being heavy”
  • Improves texture & pores Sometimes Noted
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “smoother skin texture”
    • “helped with oil control”
    • “reduced forehead lines”
  • Slight stickiness Sometimes Noted
    • “can be a little sticky”
    • “barely tacky finish”
    • “needs time to dry”
    • “feels sticky if you use too much”
  • Breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “broke me out”
    • “caused small bumps”
    • “clogged my pores”
    • “worsened my acne”
  • Immediate irritation Rarely Noted
    • “made my skin red and hot”
    • “immediate burning sensation”
    • “caused irritation”
    • “skin turned red instantly”
  • Slow results Rarely Noted
    • “didn't see much difference yet”
    • “dark spots haven't faded”
    • “takes time to work”
    • “no overnight miracle”

Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, beautylish.com, skinsort.com, youtube.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum with Ectoin work for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum works moderately well for oily acne-prone skin, as niacinamide and ectoin help control oil and repair the skin barrier while glycerin and propanediol provide light hydration. It has a very safe formula with little risk of irritation, though top-rated treatments for this skin type tend to include potent blemish-fighting extracts and antioxidants like Vitamin C or propolis.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide and ectoin make this serum a good fit for your oily acne-prone skin because they help control oil and repair the skin barrier. Glycerin and propanediol also provide light hydration that is helpful for breakouts. A treatment for this skin needs balancing ingredients like vitamin C or propolis and soothing extracts to control excess oil while keeping the face comfortable.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

What does Niacinamide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oil production, calms redness, and is unlikely to irritate oily, acne-prone skin while improving blemishes. Clinical tests show it reduces excess oil and helps clear up both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Ectoin do for oily acne-prone skin?

Ectoin helps protect oily acne-prone skin from sun damage and premature aging caused by UV rays. It is lightweight and unlikely to clog pores, making it a comfortable addition to your daily routine.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2004

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps the routine simple and protects the skin around sun exposure. This type of skin needs oil-balancing niacinamide, barrier-repairing ectoin, and lightweight hydrators like glycerin.

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 skin calm and hydrated, followed by retinol. This product is unlikely to cause irritation because it leaves out harsh ingredients and includes soothing components. Oily acne-prone skin of this type needs lightweight hydrators and oil-regulating ingredients like niacinamide and ectoin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening to keep things simple and safe around sun exposure, though some serums can also be used in the morning or twice a day. It is gentle on oily acne-prone skin and unlikely to cause irritation.

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts on oily skin, as it has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients and no harsh components. However, because this is only an average fit for your skin, an ideal product for you needs oil-controlling ingredients like niacinamide alongside lightweight hydration to keep pores clear.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A mixture of propanediol, xylitol, and caprylic acid demonstrated in vitro antimicrobial activity against C. acnes and S. aureus, reduced 5-alpha reductase expression, and decreased skin oiliness, porphyrin, and inflammatory lesions in participants over 28 days.

    Molecules, 2021

  • 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

  • Topical application of 1,3-propanediol at various concentrations, alone or combined with butylene glycol and/or glycerol, increased skin hydration and reduced trans epidermal water loss in 30 healthy female subjects over an 8-hour period, with the 15% concentration and the addition of glycerol providing greater benefits.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

  • Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.

    Antioxidants, 2021

  • 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

  • Combining ectoine and mannitol with UV filters significantly improved protection of squalene oxidation, catalase activity, and trans-UCA compared to UV filters alone in 10 subjects on irradiated areas.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

  • Topical 7% ectoine during serial 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy produced a greater reduction in skin erythema, improved stratum corneum hydration, reduced transepidermal water loss, and decreased low-echogenic pixels in thirty participants compared to a vehicle control.

    Biomedicines, 2026

  • Regular application of a novel anti-ageing cream containing hyaluronic acid, ectoin, and botanical actives significantly reduced wrinkle depth and length in the periorbital area while demonstrating very good skin tolerance.

    Polymers, 2023

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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, 2001

  • Niacinamide/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

Ingredients

Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Ectoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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