La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum for combination skin
Niacinamide
Thermal Water
Sodium Hyaluronate
Phenylethyl Resorcinol
GlycerinAverage
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it 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 moderate brightening and evening of skin tone for your combination skin, as niacinamide and phenylethyl resorcinol help improve skin tone while niacinamide also aids in seboregulation.
- While glycerin provides humectant action suitable for combination skin, the formula's primary benefits are not directly targeted at managing oily shine.
- The product is safe for your combination skin with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
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
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.1k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly praised for its ability to fade dark spots and improve skin texture, leaving skin feeling hydrated and plump. Many users with sensitive skin find it gentle. A significant number of reviewers dislike the strong floral fragrance and find the dropper bottle design inconvenient. Some users have experienced breakouts or pilling, and many note that the product is now discontinued or difficult to find.
Highlights
Hydrating and plumping Mostly Mentioned
- “face seemed to look plumper”
- “very hydrating”
- “leaves a nice glow”
- “skin feels soft”
Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
- “dark spots look reduced”
- “freckles faded noticeably”
- “helped with hyperpigmentation”
- “redness decreased”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth”
- “texture looks refined”
- “smoother canvas for makeup”
- “pores appear smaller”
Strong floral scent Often Mentioned
- “fragrance is very heavy”
- “headache inducing smell”
- “scent lingers too long”
- “too perfumed”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs fast”
- “lightweight texture”
- “non-sticky finish”
- “soaks right in”
Gentle on sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “no irritation”
- “suitable for sensitive skin”
- “gentle formula”
- “didn't cause redness”
Discontinued product Sometimes Noted
- “sad it's discontinued”
- “hard to find stock”
- “replaced by Mela B3”
Messy dropper bottle Sometimes Noted
- “dropper is messy”
- “product gets everywhere”
- “prefer a pump”
- “bottle design is poor”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused cystic acne”
- “broke me out”
- “skin turned red”
- “stinging sensation”
Pilling issues Rarely Noted
- “pills under makeup”
- “leaves white residue”
- “balls up with moisturizer”
Sources: lovi.care, influenster.com, hometesterclub.com, boots.com, adorebeauty.com.au, lovelyskin.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 work for combination skin?
La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum works moderately well for combination skin by helping even out skin tone and providing light moisture, though it is not primarily targeted at managing oily shine. A treatment of this type needs ingredients like zinc PCA or propolis to better balance oiliness and hydration for this skin.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
This serum fits combination skin because niacinamide and phenylethyl resorcinol help improve skin tone and balance oil, while glycerin provides soft hydration. Combination skin of this type needs ingredients like propolis or zinc PCA to better manage oily shine and keep the skin balanced and glowing.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
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 Thermal Water do for combination skin?
Thermal water helps hydrate dry areas and calm redness on combination skin, making it feel more comfortable. It is unlikely to clog pores and can be used throughout the day whenever skin needs a quick refresh.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2020
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before your moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening keeps things simple and 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 the treatment first and following with your retinol, or by using them on alternating nights to keep your skin calm. A combination routine for this skin type needs balancing ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin along with oil-controlling properties to properly manage oily shine.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. It is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on combination skin due to its safe ingredients, though reviewers occasionally mention minor breakouts. Combination skin generally benefits from lightweight formulas that balance oil and add moisture without heavy layers.
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (parfum) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
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, 2002Nano-microneedle-assisted phenylethyl resorcinol significantly reduced the melanin index in infraorbital dark circles compared to baseline and topical-only treatment in 20 female participants without serious adverse effects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical 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, 2021A 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, 2017Topical 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, 2005Balneotherapy with thermal water altered specific skin microbiota at genus and species levels in healthy female volunteers compared to tap water, which produced no significant microbiome changes.
Life, 2023Malaysian thermal spring water as an adjunct to standard acne therapy improved skin hydration, reduced dryness and stinging, enhanced overall tolerability, and improved the acne disability index in patients with mild to moderate acne.
The Medical Journal of Malaysia, 2024A 2% Sphingomonas xenophaga ferment extract cream applied twice daily for 4 weeks significantly decreased facial vascular disorder scores compared to vehicle in 86 Caucasian female subjects, alongside dose-dependent inhibition of pre-kallikrein activity in vitro.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019The 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, 2001Niacinamide/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
Why other serums fit combination skin better
Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Octyldodecanol, Peg-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Tin Oxide, Sorbitan Oleate, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isohexadecane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Poloxamer 338, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium Edta, Isopropyl Myristate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Acrylamide Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Ci 77891, Titanium Dioxide, Parfum
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
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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