Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% TreatmentFirst Aid Beauty
Dark Spot Serum with NiacinamideA serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for barrier repair and hydration.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for barrier repair and hydration.
Brand price
USD 59.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 49.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

They come out differently on Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients


Benefits

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panthenol, Propanediol
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lecithin, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Panthenol
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract (in both products)
Emollient
- Brightening
- Redness Reducing
- Reduces Irritation
Skin Conditioning
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
Emollient
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ingredients Explained
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 →Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →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 →Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Smoothing, Soothing
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of the Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Leguminosae
Learn more about Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract →Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Fragrance, Humectant, Oral Care, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting, Tonic, UV Absorber
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the Tea, Camellia sinensis, Theaceae
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract →Allantoin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
Learn more about Allantoin →Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Similar Comparisons
Each product against its closest dupes.
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% Treatment

Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide Booster
- View the comparison

First Aid Beauty
Dark Spot Serum with Niacinamide

TULA
Dark Spot Serum
- View the comparison

Paula's Choice
Niacinamide 20% Treatment

COSRX
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
- View the comparison

First Aid Beauty
Dark Spot Serum with Niacinamide

Wardah
Lightening Serum Ampoule