Alpha-H Vitamin B Serum with 5% Niacinamide vs La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum

Alpha-H

Vitamin B Serum with 5% Niacinamide

La Roche-Posay

Retinol B3 Pure Retinol Serum

A serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.

A serum built around Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, for smoothing and barrier repair.

Serum

19 ingredients

22 ingredients

Brand price

AUD 84.95 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 44.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from Australia

Brand from France

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, Alcohol-free, Silicone-free, Fungal-acne-safe, Pore-clogger-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Retinoid2
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Benefits

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Panthenol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA
Barrier Repair6
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Wheat Amino Acids
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol, Wheat Amino Acids
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide, Wheat Amino Acids

Hydrating4
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Anti-Aging3
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Adenosine, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate

Concerns

No concerns found

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, PPG-6-DECYLTETRADECETH-30, Retinyl Palmitate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Sodium PCA
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hydrating
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Sodium Hyaluronate (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —

Aqua (in both products)
Solvent
0 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Alcohol Denat.
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PPG-6-DECYLTETRADECETH-30
Cleansing
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Hyaluronate (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hyaluronic acid
- Hydrating

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Aqua
Solvent
Water
Learn more about Aqua →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →
Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →