If you have oily or acne-prone skin, then you’ve probably heard about niacinamide. It’s a holy grail ingredient when it comes to brightening, calming acne, and reducing oil.
I recently tried the COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum, and let me tell you — it’s one of the lightest and most comfortable serums I’ve ever used. Here’s how it went!
✨ What It Claims
This serum contains 15% niacinamide, which is quite a high concentration. COSRX says it helps with:
- Controlling excess oil
- Reducing breakouts
- Minimizing the look of pores
- Fading dark spots and post-acne marks
Smoothing out uneven skin texture
It comes in a 20ml dropper bottle, and it’s fragrance-free — always a bonus for those with sensitive skin.
💧 First Impressions
The texture is SO light — honestly, it’s the lightest niacinamide serum I’ve ever tried. It absorbs in seconds, and doesn’t leave any stickiness or greasiness behind. I loved how fresh and smooth my skin felt right after applying it.
Also, the packaging is elegant and neat!
🧴 How I Used It
I used 2–3 drops every night, right after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Important note: I didn’t use any other serum during this time, because I really wanted to see what this one could do on its own.
🧪 What I Noticed (After 3 Weeks)
Here’s what I personally experienced:
Even though I don’t have constant acne anymore, I sometimes get 1 or 2 small breakouts, especially around my cheeks. While using this serum, I noticed:
- My skin stayed less oily throughout the day
- Pores looked smaller and less noticeable
- Those occasional breakouts healed faster than usual
- My skin texture felt smoother Some of my old acne marks started to fade
I didn’t experience any irritation or purging, which surprised me for a 15% formula!
🧾 Key Ingredients (And What They Do)
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main ingredients in this serum and why they matter:
- Niacinamide (15%) – Brightens the skin, controls oil, reduces acne, fades dark spots, and strengthens the skin barrier.
- Zinc PCA – Helps reduce oil production and has antibacterial properties that support acne treatment.
- Allantoin – Soothes and calms the skin, especially useful if you’re prone to redness or irritation.
- Pantheonol (Pro-vitamin B5) – Moisturizes the skin and supports barrier repair, making the formula more gentle.
- N-acetylglucosamine – Works well with niacinamide to improve skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation.
This combination makes the serum powerful yet still balanced enough for oily and acne-prone skin types.
✅ Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture
- Non-sticky and comfortable on the skin
- High 15% niacinamide concentration for effective results
- Premium black glass bottle packaging
- Fragrance-free and gentle enough for most skin types
- Helps reduce oiliness, fade marks, and calm occasional breakouts
Cons:
- May be too strong for beginners or very sensitive skin
- Slightly small bottle size (20ml) .. Price is on the higher side compared to lower-concentration serums
⚠️ A Quick Tip for Sensitive Skin
Since this serum has 15% niacinamide, it might be too strong for some people, especially if you’ve never used high-strength actives before.
👉 If you have sensitive skin, I recommend trying a mini size first and doing a patch test. Better safe than sorry!
🌸 Final Thoughts
I’m honestly impressed. This serum has become a regular in my nighttime routine. It helped control my oil, healed new breakouts faster, and even made my skin look more even.
If you have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin and are looking for a hardworking serum that feels super light on the skin, this one is definitely worth trying.
🛍️ Shop It from Mini Haven
💖 https://minihaven.lk/product/cosrx-the-niacinamide-15-serum-20-ml/
🧪 mini also available for testing
