Niacinamide 10% Face Serum
ExcellentNiacinamide 10% Face Serum
Acne, oiliness, dark spots, open pores

A 10% niacinamide serum with dual-zinc support (Zinc PCA + Zinc Glycinate) for sebum regulation and acne control. Niacinamide sits at INCI position 2 (immediately after water), con…

A 10% niacinamide serum with dual-zinc support (Zinc PCA + Zinc Glycinate) for sebum regulation and acne control. Niacinamide sits at INCI position 2 (immediately after water), confirming an actives-first formula where the vitamin B3 is the dominant component. Dimethyl Isosorbide at position 3 acts as a penetration enhancer to improve niacinamide delivery into the dermis. Glycerin is pushed to position 8, indicating this is a treatment serum rather than a hydration-first product. Full INCI is publicly disclosed, no fragrance, no parabens, no sulphates.
All ingredients comply with India, EU, and US cosmetics regulations. No synthetic fragrance, no parabens, no SLES, no formaldehyde releasers, no restricted substances. Dimethyl Isosorbide appears early in the list as a penetration enhancer: it improves how deeply niacinamide and co-formulated actives travel into skin, which is largely responsible for this formula's efficacy edge over basic niacinamide serums. A minor consequence is that it also increases absorption of everything else in the formula — worth knowing if you are stacking multiple active serums. No fragrance allergens detected. At 10%, niacinamide can cause a brief, harmless flushing sensation in a small number of people on first use — this is a niacin response, not an allergy, and usually resolves within minutes.
Niacinamide appears immediately after water in the ingredient list, consistent with the brand's stated 10% concentration. At this level it is well above the threshold needed to reduce sebum production, minimise pore appearance, and fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A dual-zinc system — Zinc PCA and Zinc Glycinate — adds antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory support relevant for acne-prone skin. The penetration enhancer Dimethyl Isosorbide helps these actives reach deeper skin layers more effectively. This is a treatment serum first: glycerin appears much later in the list, indicating hydration is secondary to actives delivery, which is the right design choice for its purpose.
The full ingredient list is publicly available on beminimalist.co and the 10% niacinamide concentration is confirmed by the brand. The two zinc compounds are present but their individual concentrations are not disclosed, which is standard practice across the industry for supporting actives. No unsubstantiated claims such as 'dermatologist tested' or 'clinically proven' are made. No third-party clinical trial reports have been published for this specific formula.
PETA-certified cruelty-free. Vegan. No synthetic fragrance, no synthetic dyes, no sensitising additives. Indian brand with no presence in markets that require mandatory animal testing. Uses biodegradable chelating agents rather than EDTA. Minimalist, no-frills packaging means less material waste. Independent verification of sustainable sourcing for palm-derived ingredients has not been confirmed.
Niacinamide at 10% is particularly effective for Fitzpatrick III-V skin tones (dominant in India) by inhibiting melanosome transfer and reducing PIH from UV-triggered inflammation. The lightweight, water-based vehicle suits India's humid climate without occluding pores. Niacin flush is rare but can occur, if you experience transient redness or warmth on first use, reduce frequency and build up gradually.
| Ingredient | Note | Status |
|---|---|---|
Water/Aqua | Solvent base | Safe |
Niacinamide | Vitamin B3, position 2 confirms dominant concentration; brand-stated at 10% | Safe |
Dimethyl Isosorbide | Penetration enhancer, position 3 indicates high concentration; increases delivery of all co-formulated actives, including systemic absorption potential | Note |
Ethoxydiglycol | Solvent and mild penetration enhancer, low concern at cosmetic use levels | Safe |
Propanediol | Plant-derived humectant and solvent | Safe |
Zinc PCA | Antimicrobial zinc salt, position 6 indicates functionally relevant concentration for sebum regulation | Safe |
Pentylene Glycol | Humectant and mild preservative booster, skin-compatible, low sensitisation risk | Safe |
Glycerin | Humectant, position 8 indicates secondary role; formula prioritises actives over base hydration | Safe |
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract | Marine bioferment, barrier conditioning and antioxidant | Safe |
Zinc Glycinate | Chelated zinc, anti-inflammatory, acne-resolution support; position 10 = secondary to Zinc PCA | Safe |
Acetyl Glucosamine | Brightening and mild exfoliation, position 11 indicates lower but still functional concentration | Safe |
Allantoin | Soothing and skin-repairing, buffers irritation from active ingredients | Safe |
Sodium Hyaluronate | HA salt for hydration, position 13 indicates functional but not hero concentration | Safe |
Hydroxyethylcellulose | Natural-derived polymer thickener for texture | Safe |
Phenoxyethanol | Preservative, position 15 (before film-formers) suggests ~0.5-0.8%; within EU/India 1% limit | Note |
Xanthan Gum | Fermentation-derived natural thickener | Safe |
Lecithin | Phospholipid emulsifier, biomimetic skin conditioning | Safe |
Sclerotium Gum | Polysaccharide biopolymer thickener, natural origin | Safe |
Pullulan | Natural polysaccharide film-former, mild skin-tightening effect | Safe |
Sodium Lactate | NMF (natural moisturising factor) component and pH buffer | Safe |
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer | Non-ionic solubiliser and emollient, low sensitisation risk; single PEG compound in this formula | Safe |
Ethylhexylglycerin | Preservative booster, very low concern at cosmetic concentrations | Safe |
Lactic Acid | AHA, at final INCI position, used as pH adjuster only (not a functional exfoliant concentration) | Safe |
Ingredients listed in INCI order as declared on product packaging. Position reflects approximate concentration (high → low).
Clean Sheet Scores are generated by analysing every ingredient against India, EU, US & Korean safety regulations. No brand sponsorship. No affiliate relationships. Independent science-backed analysis only.
The Clean Sheet does not use fear-based ingredient labels. We assess products through a structured evidence hierarchy:
- What global regulations say
- What toxicology says
- What the formula concentration shows
- What the product format changes
- What the intended user needs
- What testing evidence proves
- What the brand is claiming