Last year, I swore off buying niacinamide serums as this star ingredient is pretty much now found in every skincare formula – making a separate serum excessive. However, in preparation for the holidays, CultBeauty offered a beauty edit I could not pass up. It featured the B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide serum from Sunday Riley. While it wasn’t the main attraction for me getting the edit, I decided to give it a shot. Now that my partner and I have finished the bottle, it’s time for a review!
Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum
The star ingredient here is Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), known for its ability to improve skin texture and tone. Combined with other soothing and hydrating components, this serum aims to improve post-acne dark spots, reduce redness, and give an overall radiant complexion.
Packaging
The serum is packaged in a sleek purple glass bottle, and I personally appreciate the pump mechanism over a dropper. From what I could gather, it used to come in a dropper bottle. However, the pump can occasionally squirt too forcefully due to some drying and crusting around the opening, so one has to be a bit mindful. Still, I’m not complaining. One to two pumps are enough for the whole face and neck.
Application and Texture
It has a semi-viscous texture that’s easy to apply, which I prefer over the runnier alternatives from other brands. The lightweight, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly into the skin, providing a hydrating feel without any stickiness.
Personal Experience
The products I’ve tried from Sunday Riley have been either hit or miss, particularly their face creams, which haven’t exactly wowed me. My partner and I have been using the Sunday Riley B3 Nice Serum a couple of times a week for almost six months. He’s been more consistent with it than I have, as I’ve had other serums to tend to.
We both used it in the mornings as a replacement for a vitamin C serum. Additionally, I usually applied it on top of my pre-serum Ultimune from Shiseido, while he used it as his second step after Origins Mega-Mushroom Lotion. As my partner was more consistent with it, I noticed minor improvements in his skin. He has larger, more visible pores, whereas I have none, and these seemed to reduce in size while using this serum. It also evened out his skin tone and reduced redness more effectively than the mushroom toner. Although the B3 Nice Serum is recommended for oily skin, it worked well for both of us, even though we lean more towards normal to dry skin.
Overall Impression
My skin has been in a really good place over the last few months, making it harder to see a visible difference. Overall, we both liked this serum and had no issues using it. It felt balancing and hydrating, and it also seemed to help our skin become more resilient.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Semi-viscous texture, easy to apply
- Anti-oxidant packed
Cons:
- High price point
- Not sure it did much for my PIE
Comparison to Other Products
I will say that the Sunday Riley B3 Nice Serum is one of the better niacinamide serums I’ve used. I’ve tried others, including The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide, Allies of Skin Niacinamide Booster (review here), Alpha-H B Vitamin (review here), and Paula’s Choice 20% Niacinamide.
Sunday Riley’s formula feels more refined, is easy and pleasurable to apply, and has better packaging. The texture is more viscous than the others, but it still sinks in without leaving any sticky residue, making it suitable for oily skin.
Conclusion | ★★★★☆
Sunday Riley’s B3 Nice Serum is a great option for those who don’t do well with vitamin C serums, as it also provides a great antioxidant effect by including ingredients such as resveratrol, green tea components, and EGCG. I’ve been enjoying it as an alternative to vitamin C during the winter and spring seasons.
Personally, I haven’t noticed a major difference in my skin, as it’s already in pretty good condition. However, I’ve seen it help my partner reduce redness and minimize pores. When it comes to reducing post-acne marks, it’s hard to say as I haven’t been using it daily and only in the mornings. Still, I’m yet to find a skincare product that effectively addresses this issue. For me, spots persist for about six months unless I undergo microneedling and professional peels.
Recommending this serum feels like a personal preference. For me, it’s worth the higher price tag because I quite enjoy the texture and packaging more than most other niacinamide serums I’ve tried. And the formula has worked well for my skin. However, if you prefer a more runny texture and a dropper bottle, and are looking for something to mainly control oily skin and breakouts, The Ordinary’s niacinamide serum will suffice.
So overall, while it may not be a miracle worker for post-acne marks, its pleasant texture and packaging make it a worthwhile option for those seeking a high-quality niacinamide serum. Additionally, it will surely help in strengthening the skin barrier, making the skin more resilient. I find it to truly be a lovely serum from Sunday Riley! Try this if vitamin C isn’t for you.
Products Mentioned
Have you tried the Sunday Riley B3 Nice Serum?
Share your experience in the comments below or let me know if you have any questions!
