Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum with Ectoin for combination skin
Niacinamide
Ectoin
GlycerinHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 skin tone evening and pore minimizing for your combination skin, as niacinamide and ectoin help regulate sebum production and provide hydration to balance oily and dry areas.
- The serum's moderate concentrations of these key ingredients are well-suited for addressing your concerns with oily shine.
- The safety profile is high, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like niacinamide and ectoin.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased 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
What makes Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum a great fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit because niacinamide and ectoin help balance oily and dry areas by regulating oil and providing hydration. Its moderate amounts work well on oily shine without causing irritation, keeping your skin calm and smooth.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Niacinamide and ectoin make this serum a great fit by helping regulate oil and keeping dry areas hydrated. Glycerin also supports this balance by drawing moisture into the skin without feeling heavy.
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
What does Ectoin do for combination skin?
Ectoin helps keep combination skin balanced by holding onto moisture and strengthening the skin barrier without feeling heavy. It is unlikely to irritate dry or oily patches and may help calm redness while protecting skin cells from everyday damage.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2008Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju, 2016
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, which keeps the routine simple and safe around sun exposure. It helps balance oily and dry areas while evening out skin tone and minimizing pores without causing irritation.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2020Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
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 calm and hydrate your skin before using retinol. Niacinamide and ectoin help soothe the skin and balance oil and dryness, which may reduce potential irritation from your retinol routine.
How often should I use this serum?
This treatment is used in the evening for your combination skin, helping to balance oily and dry areas while evening skin tone and minimizing pores. Its moderate concentrations and soothing components make it well-suited for regular use without irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts on combination skin because its soothing ingredients are well-tolerated and gentle. The formula helps balance oily and dry areas without clogging pores.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
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, 2021Topical 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, 2021Topical 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, 2005Combining 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, 2024Topical 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, 2026Regular 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, 2023A 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, 2017The 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, 2001
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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