Aveeno Positively Radiant Vitamin C Serum vs La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl™ + Niacinamide

Aveeno

La Roche-Posay

A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for barrier repair and smoothing.

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

Serum

18 ingredients

32 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 60.99 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from France

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Colloidal oatmeal1
Finely milled oat — an FDA-recognised skin protectant.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
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

Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Squalane
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Niacinamide, Squalane
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 60
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Squalane

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Octyldodecanol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Retinyl Palmitate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Parfum, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Pentylene Glycol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Dimethicone (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Emollient
- Colloidal oatmeal
- Barrier Repair
- Reduces Irritation
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Dimethicone (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Polysilicone-11
Film Forming
- Silicones
Silica
Abrasive
0-1 / —
Bis-Peg/Ppg-16/16 Peg/Ppg-16/16 Dimethicone
Emollient
0-1 / —
- Silicones
Cystoseira Tamariscifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine
Skin Conditioning

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
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 →
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →
Dimethicone
Antifoaming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting
Dimethicone is a silicone.
Learn more about Dimethicone →
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →