The Inkey List 10% Niacinamide Serum vs Aveeno Positively Radiant Vitamin C Serum

The Inkey List

Aveeno

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

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

Serum

24 ingredients

18 ingredients

Brand price

USD 13.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

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

Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 60
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

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

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Propanediol, Squalane
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Squalane
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Panthenol
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Niacinamide

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 Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Glycolipids, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil, Squalane

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

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
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
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (in both products)
Emulsion Stabilising
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Light Stabilizer
0-1 / —
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Squalane (in both products)
Emollient
1 / 0
- Face oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin

Water (in both products)
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
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Dimethicone
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 (in both products)
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
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 →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium hydroxyethyl acrylate and acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
Learn more about Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer →
Squalane
Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Squalane is a face oil.
Learn more about Squalane →
Xanthan Gum
Binding, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling
Xanthan gum
Learn more about Xanthan Gum →
Polysorbate 60
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60 →