Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum with Ectoin for oily skin
Niacinamide
Ectoin
GlycerinAverage
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it 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 moderate skin treatment for your oily skin, as niacinamide and ectoin improve skin tone and resilience by balancing oil production and enhancing skin barrier function.
- Glycerin provides humectant action, supporting overall hydration for oily skin, though specialized ingredients for oily shine are not present.
- The formula is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
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
★4.7Overall 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
How well does the Good Molecules 5% Niacinamide Serum work for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin, helping balance oil production and improve skin tone with niacinamide and ectoin. A product for oily skin of this type needs ingredients that control excess oil and shine, manage pores, and strengthen the skin barrier without clogging pores.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Niacinamide and ectoin make this serum a fit by balancing oil production and enhancing skin barrier function, while glycerin provides hydration. A product of this type for oily skin needs targeted ingredients that control excess sebum and reduce shine, such as zinc PCA or ferulic acid, along with soothing extracts.
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 Ectoin do for oily skin?
Ectoin helps protect oily skin from irritation and environmental stress while keeping it calm and balanced. It acts as a cell protector that strengthens the skin barrier and keeps moisture locked in without feeling heavy. Oily skin of this type needs lightweight hydrators and antioxidants like ectoine to stay smooth and calm.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2008Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju, 2016
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Oily skin needs targeted ingredients that help control shine and balance oil production while keeping the skin hydrated.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
Yes, you can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first and following it with your retinol product. This helps keep your skin calm and balanced while using a stronger active ingredient.
How often should I use this serum?
This serum works best in your evening routine, as treatments fit simply and safely into nighttime use. Because it offers a moderate fit for oily skin, a product of this type needs specialized ingredients for oily shine to manage oil even better.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for your oily skin, as it has a very low risk of breakouts and no harsh ingredients that would irritate you. However, because it lacks specialized ingredients to control oily shine, an oily skin type needs mattifying ingredients or oil-absorbing minerals to better manage excess oil.
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, 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, 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, 2023The 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 oily skin better
A 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, 2024Niacinamide 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, 2022
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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