🇬🇧United Kingdom

Skin Nutrition Botanicals Niacinamide 5% + Squalane Serum for mature skin

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

Skin Nutrition Botanicals Niacinamide 5% + Squalane Serum

Average

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for mature skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 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

  • This serum offers moderate benefits for your normal skin, with glycerin and panthenol providing hydration and squalane offering emollient action, but it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your wrinkles and fine lines.
  • The presence of kojic acid contributes to brightening and evening skin tone, which are general skincare benefits that support overall skin health.
  • The formula is safe for your normal skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and poses no risk of irritation.

How to apply

  • Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week, and work up to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply this serum after your toner and before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • You can apply the serum on dry skin for the best results against fine lines.
  • Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the sensitive eye area.

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 100+ reviews

Some users with sensitive skin have reported mild irritation. There are also infrequent comments regarding the brand's lack of transparency and difficulty in finding the product.

Highlights

  • Affordable price Mostly Mentioned
    • “accessible way to try skincare without the hefty price tag”
    • “surprisingly effective for the price point”
    • “elevate your skincare game without draining your wallet”
    • “the price feels shocking”
  • Hydrating and moisturizing Often Mentioned
    • “makes your skin nice and smooth”
    • “maintains skin hydration effectively”
    • “softens, hydrates and moisturizes”
    • “skin just feels fresher”
  • Causes irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “makes my skin burn when I put moisturizer over it”
    • “had some kind of reaction to it, face became tight and red”
    • “stings even after letting the serum sit”
    • “can be an irritant for some, especially those with very sensitive skin”
  • Hard to find Rarely Noted
    • “hard to find the specific serum in stores”
    • “all look similar, maybe I've missed it”
    • “still on the hunt for it”
  • Lacks transparency Rarely Noted
    • “company has no contact info or presence otherwise”
    • “super sus, hard to find company info”
    • “genuinely worried about bad labeling or inconsistent packaging”
    • “not been able to find anything on the product nor the company”

Sources: lovi.care, reddit.com, ebay.com, skinsort.com, lemon8-app.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does Skin Nutrition Botanicals Niacinamide 5% + Squalane Serum work for mature skin?

This serum works moderately well for mature skin, keeping it hydrated with glycerin and panthenol and smooth with squalane, but it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target wrinkles and fine lines. A product of this type needs high-quality anti-aging ingredients, potent antioxidants, peptides, and humectants to smooth wrinkles, improve elasticity, and retain moisture.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

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

Glycerin, panthenol, and squalane make this serum a good fit by helping with hydration and keeping skin soft, while kojic acid helps brighten your skin tone. To work best for mature skin, a product of this type needs high-quality anti-aging ingredients, potent antioxidants, peptides, and humectants that smooth out wrinkles and fine lines while improving elasticity.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Niacinamide do for mature skin?

Niacinamide helps mature skin by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, reducing dark spots, and improving overall skin elasticity. It is also very well tolerated and supports a strong skin barrier to keep skin looking healthy.

Antioxidants, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2004

What does Squalane do for mature skin?

Squalane helps keep mature skin feeling soft and smooth by boosting moisture and protecting the skin barrier. It also provides antioxidant support that helps improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2010

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

This treatment serum goes in the evening routine for mature skin, after cleansing and before moisturizing. While it provides hydration and brightens skin tone, a product for this skin needs firming peptides and retinoids to effectively target wrinkles and fine lines.

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

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, and following with your moisturizer. It is unlikely to cause irritation since it contains gentle hydrators like glycerin and panthenol, but mature skin needs targeted ingredients like peptides or retinoids to properly smooth wrinkles and fine lines.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

How often should I use this serum?

This serum works best in your evening routine for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. Mature skin needs a product with specialized anti-aging ingredients like retinoids or antioxidants to effectively target wrinkles and fine lines.

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

This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on mature skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients and has a safe profile, though some reviewers do mention mild irritation. A product for this skin type typically needs targeted anti-aging ingredients like retinol or peptides to effectively smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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 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

  • 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 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006

  • 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

  • A topical formulation containing kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid demonstrated efficacy parity compared with hydroquinone 4% in multiethnic participants with mild to moderate facial dyschromia.

    Cutis, 2010

  • A nanoemulsion containing 1 mg/mL kojic dipalmitate and 5% rosehip oil demonstrated high incorporation efficiency, suitable physicochemical stability, antioxidant and depigmenting efficacy close to 1 mM ascorbic acid, and no cytotoxicity at concentrations from 0.06% to 1% in vitro.

    Pharmaceutics, 2023

  • Topical application of iron chelators kojic acid and deferiprone significantly accelerated wound healing in rats compared to control groups, with deferiprone showing superior efficacy due to higher antioxidant and iron chelation abilities.

    International Wound Journal, 2013

  • A dermocosmetic cream containing Punica granatum Pericarp extract, Salicylic acid, Niacinamide, Zinc gluconate, and Aqua Posae Filiformis significantly decreased inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesion counts in subjects with mild to moderate acne compared to untreated hemi-faces after 15 days.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026

  • Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023

  • Different strains of Propionibacterium acnes modulate cutaneous innate immunity with varying pro-inflammatory potentials, with P. acnes type III showing the highest and P. avidum the weakest, and zinc gluconate down-regulates the expression of most induced immune markers.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2013

  • 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 dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000

  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

Why other serums fit mature skin better

Ingredients

Glycerin, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Kojic Acid, Sucrose, Squalane, Saccharomyces Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Panthenol, Zinc Gluconate, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Disodium Edta, Carbomer, Beta-Carotene, Lauryl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tocopherol

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

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

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

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