Compare Products: Mela B3 Serum vs B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum

La Roche Posay

Mela B3 Serum

Premium10%
$45 / 30ml — $1.50/ml
Sunday Riley

B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum

Premium10%
$65 / 30ml — $2.17/ml

Ingredient Analysis

La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum leads on clinically studied actives like niacinamide, retinyl palmitate, and capryloyl salicylic acid, with a silicone-rich base for smooth application. Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum counters with a broad botanical antioxidant blend. The better pick depends on your skin goals.

Depends on skin goals: targeted anti-aging actives versus broad antioxidant and botanical support
How they differ
Clinically studied activesLa Roche Posay

La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum includes retinyl palmitate and capryloyl salicylic acid, which have stronger evidence than most botanicals in Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum.

Antioxidant breadthSunday Riley

Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum stacks resveratrol, gallic acid, EGCG, curcumin, and multiple plant extracts for wide antioxidant coverage.

Hydration supportLa Roche Posay

La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum contains sodium hyaluronate and glycerin higher in the list, suggesting more meaningful humectant concentration.

Soothing and barrier repairSunday Riley

Asiaticoside and madecassoside from centella asiatica are well-studied for calming and supporting barrier repair.

Irritation riskSunday Riley

La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum contains propylene glycol, a colorant, and more silicones, which may not suit sensitive or congestion-prone skin.

What the label does not tell us
  • •No concentrations are disclosed for either product, so active efficacy cannot be confirmed from the list alone.
  • •Retinyl palmitate in La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum is a mild vitamin A form; its real-world effect depends heavily on its concentration.
  • •Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum's botanical extracts appear late in the list, suggesting they may be present at low, largely symbolic levels.
  • •Resveratrol in Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum can be unstable in water-based formulas; packaging and formulation pH affect its potency.
  • •La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum contains a synthetic dye (CI 17200/Red 33) with no functional benefit and a potential sensitization risk.
  • •Chlorphenesin in Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum is a preservative booster that may irritate sensitive skin at higher concentrations.

Analysis generated from both INCI lists using Claude. Ingredient order indicates relative concentration; exact percentages are usually undisclosed.

Who It's Designed For

La Roche Posay
  • Those with stubborn hyperpigmentation including sunspots, age spots, and post-acne marks
  • Users seeking dermatologist-backed, clinically tested brightening products
  • People who want an alternative mechanism to vitamin C or hydroquinone
  • All skin tones; formulated to work without affecting natural skin tone
  • Sensitive skin types who need gentle but effective brightening
Sunday Riley
  • Those seeking an antioxidant-rich niacinamide treatment
  • Users who want botanical anti-inflammatory ingredients alongside niacinamide
  • People addressing post-acne dark spots and uneven tone
  • Those who prefer prestige skincare with complex formulations
  • Users comfortable with light synthetic fragrance

Key Ingredients

La Roche Posay

Niacinamide (10%), Melasyl (2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine), Sodium Hyaluronate, LHA (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid)

Sunday Riley

Niacinamide (10%), Brightenyl (Diglucosyl Gallic Acid), Trans-Resveratrol, EGCG (Green Tea), Centella Asiatica

Product Composition

17% similarity (9 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
niacinamideglycerinammonium polyacryloyldimethyl tauratexanthan gumpentylene glycoloctyldodecanolphenoxyethanolci 17200/red 33parfum/fragrance
Only in La Roche Posay (23)▾
aqua/water/eaudimethiconepropylene glycolpolysilicone-11silicabis-peg/ppg-16/16 peg/ppg-16/16 dimethiconecystoseira tamariscifolia extract2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycinepeg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearatesodium hyaluronatesodium hydroxidesodium thiosulfatecarnosinepoloxamer 338dipotassium glycyrrhizatecaprylic/capric triglyceridecapryloyl salicylic acidcaprylyl glycolcitric acidtrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateretinyl palmitatetocopherolpentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Only in Sunday Riley (20)▾
water/eau/aquaphenyl trimethiconeresveratrolasiaticosidemadecassosideepigallocatechin gallatyl glucosideboswellia serrata resin extractcurcuma longa (turmeric) root extractaloe barbadensis flower extractsolanum melongena (eggplant) fruit extractbetainemelia azadirachta flower extractmelia azadirachta leaf extractpeg-8tetrahydrodiferuloylmethanepunica granatum fruit extractargania spinosa kernel oilethoxydiglycoltamarindus indica seed gumchlorphenesin

User Feedback Patterns

La Roche Posay
Effective for post-acne marks

Users frequently report fading of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne. Often noted as more effective than previous vitamin C serums.

Gentle on sensitive skin

Despite fragrance, many sensitive skin users report no irritation. Users with rosacea have noted tolerance.

Gradual results

Users report seeing changes over weeks to months. Not overnight results, but consistent improvement with regular use.

Texture praise

Lightweight serum absorbs quickly without greasiness. Layers well under sunscreen and makeup.

Mixed expectations

Some users with stubborn melasma or very dark spots report only modest improvement. Works better on newer or less severe pigmentation.

Sunday Riley
Texture and absorption

Users frequently praise the lightweight, watery texture that absorbs quickly without stickiness. Layers well under other products and makeup.

Brightening over time

Consistent reports of improved radiance and brighter complexion with regular use, though dark spot fading varies by individual.

Oil control

Oily skin users report reduced shine and less sebum production throughout the day.

Packaging concerns

Some users note the dropper packaging can cause product to dry and crust around the lid. Others have reported the product arriving discolored.

Price sensitivity

Mixed opinions on value. Some feel the botanical complex justifies the premium; others find it overpriced compared to budget niacinamide options.

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