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The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum for dry skin

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

The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum

Average

  • AverageDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 suitability for your dry skin as glycerin and panthenol provide humectant action to hydrate and soothe. Niacinamide in moderate concentrations helps regulate sebum production and minimize pore appearance, offering general skincare benefits.
  • The serum's safety profile is excellent for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like niacinamide and glycerin.
  • While it provides hydration and pore-cleansing, the formula lacks sufficient emollient and occlusive ingredients for optimal hydration for your dry or flaky skin.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 3.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily and blemish-prone skin frequently praise this serum for its ability to regulate sebum production and calm active breakouts without stripping moisture. The majority report clearer skin and reduced redness. A notable minority experience texture issues, such as a sticky finish or white residue if the product is not applied carefully.

Highlights

  • Controls excess oil Often Mentioned
    • “My T-zone was excessively oily... observed a subtle reduction in sebum.”
    • “Helps to control excess oil and keep skin healthy.”
    • “Perfect for oily skin as it helps to reduce sebum.”
    • “Skin is slightly less oily.”
  • Great value & packaging Often Mentioned
    • “Win and a steal at this price.”
    • “Love the fact that it's... affordable.”
    • “I like these bottles... easier to travel with.”
    • “Great budget option that really works.”
  • Reduces redness & blemishes Often Mentioned
    • “Redness has lessened and the cluster of whiteheads... cleared.”
    • “Calms irritated skin and reduces redness.”
    • “Breakouts are far less frequent.”
    • “Helps tame the redness when my skin is a bit sensitized.”
  • Hydrating & lightweight Sometimes Noted
    • “Lightweight and layers easily with skincare.”
    • “Doesn't strip the skin as it is formulated with hyaluronic acid.”
    • “Absorbs quickly... never pills under other skincare.”
    • “Moisturises and hydrates the skin.”
  • Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
    • “Skin felt smooth, and looked clear and fresh.”
    • “Large pores have shrunk.”
    • “Helped with texture and pore size.”
    • “Smoothed out rough skin.”
  • Sticky or tacky finish Sometimes Noted
    • “Leaves a tackiness that never goes away.”
    • “Slightly tacky and takes time to get absorbed.”
    • “Texture is gelatinous... leaving skin sticky.”
    • “A little bit more on the sticky side compared to The Ordinary.”
  • White residue/crystallization Sometimes Noted
    • “Forms a crust on the hole at the flick top cap.”
    • “Crystallizes on the outlet of the serum bottle.”
    • “Can get a white residue on the skin if not shaken.”
    • “Product can collect at the entrance... dried out/crystallised.”
  • Caused breakouts/irritation Rarely Noted
    • “Had breakouts after using it.”
    • “Gave me a horrendous rash that stung.”
    • “Not so suitable for me... accentuated redness.”
    • “Started reacting negatively to it... after awhile.”
  • Foaming/soaping effect Rarely Noted
    • “Create that foamy whiteness on your face when blending.”
    • “Turns white if you rub it too much.”
    • “Can be sticky if too much is applied.”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.co.uk, boots.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, lookfantastic.com, theinkeylist.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does The INKEY List Niacinamide work for dry skin?

The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum offers moderate suitability for dry skin as glycerin and panthenol hydrate and soothe, but dry skin needs a product with rich, softening ingredients and skin barrier supporters to lock in moisture.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

Glycerin, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate make this serum a good fit for dry skin by pulling in moisture to hydrate and soothe. However, dry skin needs a product of this type to include rich, softening ingredients and skin barrier sealants like ceramides, peptides, or plant oils for deep and lasting hydration.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Niacinamide do for dry skin?

Niacinamide helps dry skin by strengthening the skin barrier, increasing hydration, and reducing water loss. It supports ceramide production and helps keep the surface smooth and calm. This ingredient tends to be very well tolerated and is unlikely to irritate dry skin.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

What does Glycerin do for dry skin?

Glycerin helps dry skin by drawing in moisture and keeping it locked in, which makes the skin feel much softer and smoother. It also supports your natural skin barrier to stop water from escaping easily. A product for dry skin needs extra ingredients like hyaluronic acid and soothing plant extracts to truly calm and hydrate dry patches.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008

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

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. A product for this skin type needs rich softening and sealing ingredients to lock in moisture and smooth flakes.

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

You can use this treatment serum with retinol by applying the serum first in your evening routine, followed by your moisturizer to lock it in. Because this formula provides gentle hydration with ingredients like glycerin and panthenol, it is unlikely to irritate dry skin when combined with retinol.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

How often should I use this serum?

This serum works well in your evening routine, but a dry skin like yours needs a product of this type to also include rich oils and butters or sealing ingredients that lock in moisture.

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

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores for dry skin, as it has a very low risk of irritation and lacks harsh ingredients. Its safety profile is excellent, though dry skin still needs richer, creamy ingredients and oils to stay fully soft and smooth.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

  • 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

  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

  • 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

  • The 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, 2020

  • Ten 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

  • Niacinamide/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

  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025

  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025

  • Topical 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, 2011

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Treatment 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, 2019

Why other serums fit dry skin better

Ingredients

Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Squalane, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Phytate, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Glycolipids, Leuconostoc Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate

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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Prices checked 6 Nov 2026

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
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