Compare Products: Mela B3 Serum vs SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum

La Roche Posay

Mela B3 Serum

Premium10%
$45 / 30ml — $1.50/ml
The Inkey List

SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum

Budget20%
$17.99 / 30ml — $0.60/ml

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
The Inkey List
  • Very oily skin seeking maximum oil control
  • Stubborn enlarged pores unresponsive to lower niacinamide concentrations
  • Users who have tolerated 10-15% niacinamide and want to increase strength
  • Budget-conscious users wanting clinical-strength actives
  • Those seeking exfoliating effects (20% niacinamide has mild exfoliating properties)

Key Ingredients

La Roche Posay

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

The Inkey List

Niacinamide (20%), Zinc PCA (0.5%), Squalane (3%)

Product Composition

26% similarity (10 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
aqua/water/eauniacinamideglycerinsodium hyaluronatesodium hydroxidesodium thiosulfateammonium polyacryloyldimethyl tauratetrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatephenoxyethanolci 17200/red 33
Only in La Roche Posay (22)
dimethiconepropylene glycolpolysilicone-11silicabis-peg/ppg-16/16 peg/ppg-16/16 dimethiconecystoseira tamariscifolia extract2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycinepeg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearatecarnosinepoloxamer 338dipotassium glycyrrhizatecaprylic/capric triglyceridecapryloyl salicylic acidcaprylyl glycolcitric acidxanthan gumpentylene glycoloctyldodecanolretinyl palmitatetocopherolpentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateparfum/fragrance
Only in The Inkey List (6)
butylene glycolsqualanebenzyl alcoholzinc pcapolysorbate 60sorbitan isostearate

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.

The Inkey List
Serious oil control

Users with very oily skin consistently report this as one of the most effective oil-control products they have tried. Many note all-day mattifying effect.

Strong but not irritating

Despite the 20% concentration, most users report no irritation. However, patch testing is frequently mentioned as important for first-time users.

Better than The Ordinary

Users who found The Ordinary's 10% niacinamide too weak or pilling-prone often prefer this. The gel texture absorbs cleanly.

Can leave white cast if overused

Some users report a white film if they apply too much. The brand addresses this: use less product and follow immediately with moisturizer.

Which Should You Buy?

The Inkey List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum offers great value at a lower price point. La Roche Posay Mela B3 Serum may be worth the premium if you want Niacinamide (10%).

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