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Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum for oily skin

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

Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum

High

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 suitability for your oily skin, as the high concentration of niacinamide effectively controls oil production and minimizes shine, while glycerin provides essential hydration.
  • The inclusion of diglucosyl gallic acid and various botanical extracts further supports skin tone evening and offers antioxidant protection, complementing your goal of managing oily shine.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no reported irritation risks due to its gentle formulation and the presence of soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract.

How to apply

  • Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
  • Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.

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 oily skin?

This serum is a great fit for oily skin because it uses a high concentration of niacinamide to control oil production and minimize shine, while glycerin supplies essential hydration. It also features soothing plant extracts and a gentle formula that keeps the risk of irritation very low.

Molecules, 2024Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

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

This serum is a great fit for oily skin because it contains a high concentration of niacinamide to control oil production and minimize shine, alongside glycerin for essential hydration. It also includes diglucosyl gallic acid and botanical extracts like aloe to help even skin tone, protect against damage, and soothe without causing irritation.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2022Molecules, 2024

What does Niacinamide do for oily skin?

Niacinamide helps balance oily skin by significantly reducing excess oil production and shine. It is well tolerated and may improve skin texture without clogging pores.

Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006Antioxidants, 2021

What does Resveratrol do for oily skin?

Resveratrol helps calm oily skin and manage excess shine by reducing sebum production and protecting cells from irritation caused by environmental pollution. It is unlikely to clog pores and may help keep your skin looking clear and balanced.

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2022Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2019

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

This serum goes in the evening routine after your cleansing toner and before your moisturizer. Placing treatments in the evening provides simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.

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

You can use this serum with a retinol, applying this water-based serum first and following with your retinol. Using them together helps manage oily shine and keeps skin smooth, while soothing ingredients like aloe make irritation unlikely.

How often should I use this serum?

This serum fits into your evening routine as a treatment step, used once a day for simplicity and safety around sun exposure. It is unlikely to cause irritation on your oily skin thanks to its gentle formulation.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it features a gentle formulation designed to control oil and minimize shine. It does not contain ingredients that typically trigger purging.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 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

  • 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

  • Topical application of green tea extract encapsulated chitosan microparticles improved skin elasticity, melanin index, and facial wrinkles compared to a placebo in female volunteers without causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

  • 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

  • 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

  • Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2008

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.

  • 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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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play