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Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum for skin with dark spots

High

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for skin with dark spots; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. 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

  • This formulation is highly suitable for your normal skin, as niacinamide and glycerin work synergistically to provide essential hydration and support your skin barrier. Diglucosyl gallic acid and niacinamide also effectively target hyperpigmentation, aligning with your primary goal.
  • The serum offers excellent pore-cleansing benefits, further enhancing skin tone and texture.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum as part of your PM routine starting 3x/week and build up to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute for it to absorb.
  • Apply the serum on dry skin to help fade pigmentation effectively.
  • Avoid the eye area and always use SPF 30+ during the day.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This serum is widely praised for its ability to visibly reduce redness, minimize the appearance of pores, and fade post-acne dark spots, making it a favorite for those with oily or acne-prone skin. While most users love the milky, hydrating texture that layers well under makeup, some have raised concerns about the product oxidizing (turning brown) over time and its distinct scent.

Highlights

  • Hydrating texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “milky and moisturizing”
    • “sinks in quickly”
    • “not sticky like others”
    • “leaves skin soft”
  • Minimizes pores Often Mentioned
    • “pores look smaller”
    • “tightens enlarged pores”
    • “texture is smoother”
    • “helped with pore congestion”
  • Reduces redness Often Mentioned
    • “calms redness immediately”
    • “skin looks less angry”
    • “reduction in surface redness”
  • Controls oil Sometimes Noted
    • “less oily by noon”
    • “balances sebum production”
    • “great for combo skin”
    • “matte but glowing finish”
  • Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
    • “lightened acne scars”
    • “helped with hyperpigmentation”
    • “spots are fading faster”
    • “evened out skin tone”
  • Color oxidation Sometimes Noted
    • “turned brown quickly”
    • “color changed to dark orange”
    • “oxidized in the bottle”
    • “looked unappealing after a month”
  • Unpleasant smell Sometimes Noted
    • “smells a bit funky”
    • “scent is off-putting”
    • “has a weird odor”
    • “smells like vitamins”
  • Packaging issues Rarely Noted
    • “dropper is messy”
    • “hard to get last drops”
    • “bottle leaks slightly”
    • “pipette doesn't hold product”
  • Potential irritation Rarely Noted
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “too strong for sensitive skin”
    • “stung upon application”
    • “caused mild flushing”

Sources: lovi.care, sundayriley.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, spacenk.com, cultbeauty.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Sunday Riley B3 Nice a great fit for skin with dark spots?

Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum is a great fit for skin with dark spots because Niacinamide and Diglucosyl Gallic Acid effectively target hyperpigmentation and brighten skin tone. Niacinamide and Glycerin also provide essential hydration while soothing ingredients like Aloe flower extract help prevent irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for skin with dark spots?

Niacinamide and diglucosyl gallic acid make this serum a great fit for skin with dark spots because they help fade discoloration and brighten skin tone. Niacinamide significantly decreases dark spots by slowing down pigment transfer, and diglucosyl gallic acid improves overall brightness.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022

What does Niacinamide do for skin with dark spots?

Niacinamide helps fade dark spots and uneven pigmentation by slowing down the transfer of pigment in the skin. It is generally well tolerated and may improve overall skin brightness with consistent use.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What does Resveratrol do for skin with dark spots?

Resveratrol helps fade dark spots and brightens uneven skin tone by slowing down the enzyme that produces excess pigment. It is a helpful addition to your routine because it is well-tolerated and improves overall radiance and smoothness.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2016Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Putting treatments in the evening provides extra safety around sun exposure.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying this treatment first and then following with your retinol product. This helps brighten dark spots while keeping your skin calm, as the formula includes soothing ingredients that are unlikely to cause irritation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is a great fit for skin with dark spots because ingredients like Niacinamide and Diglucosyl Gallic Acid effectively target uneven skin tone.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it has an excellent safety profile with no harsh ingredients and offers great pore-cleansing benefits. It does not contain active ingredients that speed up skin shedding, so it should not cause purging.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Niacinamide 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, 2002
  • Diglucosyl gallic acid exhibits stronger tyrosinase inhibition than VC with an IC50 of 2.68 mg/mL, and its application as a cosmetic ingredient improves skin brightness while reducing ultraviolet spots, melanin, and erythema in human volunteers.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022
  • 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
  • A combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.

    Molecules, 2024
  • 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
  • Topical 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, 2006
  • Topical CE Ferulic plus resveratrol BE serum following ablative fractional CO2 laser treatment reduced erythema index (308.9 vs. 325.3), shortened complete scabbing detachment time (6.0 vs. 6.5 days), decreased melanin index (-7.4% vs. +0.2%), and improved skin hydration compared to normal saline in 51 Chinese patients.

    Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2024
  • Topical treatment with a combination of pyridine-2, 4-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester and resveratrol significantly increased hair density in 79 Caucasian female subjects starting from 1.5 months compared to baseline.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020
  • A nighttime topical antioxidant containing resveratrol, baicalin, and vitamin E significantly improved fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, elasticity, laxity, hyperpigmentation, radiance, roughness, and dermal thickness in subjects with mild to moderately photodamaged skin over 12 weeks.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014
  • Topical green tea extract significantly improved clinical symptoms, tear breakup times, and meibomian gland health compared to standard treatment in patients with dry eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

    Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 2017
  • Topical low-dose green tea extract reduces UVB-induced p53 expression and apoptosis in human skin keratinocytes compared to placebo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2009
  • An anti-acne hydrogel containing Aloe barbadensis, Garcinia mangostana, and Camellia sinensis extracts showed superior antiacne and antiblotch activities compared to 1% clindamycin gel in sixty subjects with mild-moderate acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • 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
  • 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

Ingredients

Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Octyldodecanol, Resveratrol, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside, Boswellia Serrata Extract Resin, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract Flower, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Betaine, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Peg-8, Tetrahydrodiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Tetrahydrobisdemethoxydiferuloylmethane, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Tangerine Peel Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lemon Peel Oil, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Trideceth-6, Peg Ppg-18 18 Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Triethyl Citrate

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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