SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum

The INKEY List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum is the brand's highest-strength niacinamide, aimed squarely at oil, bumpy texture and pores that look larger than you would like. It is a light serum that The INKEY List formulates to go on with minimal tackiness.

Skin types	Normal, combination and oily
Targets	Oiliness, visible pores, uneven texture
Actives	Niacinamide 20% · zinc PCA 0.5% · squalane 3%
When	Twice daily, morning and evening
Good to know	Vegan · gluten-free · cruelty-free · recyclable packaging

What it actually does

• Brings oil production back down. At 20%, niacinamide is doing the heavy lifting — the brand credits it with balancing excess sebum and smoothing texture so pores read smaller.
• Zinc PCA on sebum bumps. Half a percent is included to deal with the roughness and small bumps that oil build-up leaves behind.
• Squalane to keep the barrier intact. Three percent is in the formula specifically so a high-strength active does not leave skin compromised.
• Light rather than sticky. The INKEY List makes a point of the finish — minimal tack, which matters for a serum you wear twice a day under other products.
• What the testing reported. An independent clinical study on 20 people found the serum clinically proven to keep oil controlled for as long as eight hours, and to cut excess oil by as much as 60% on contact. In a separate four-week consumer trial with 50 people, 91% agreed their skin's texture and evenness had improved within three days, and 92% agreed skin felt fresher, more balanced and less shiny over the same stretch. Brand-cited studies on small panels — individual results vary.

How to use

1. Twice daily. Cleanse, then dispense about as much as a pea — enough for the whole face plus the neck. Both your morning and your evening routine can take it.
2. Layer in whatever order suits you. The brand says the sequence of your serums does not matter here.
3. Patch test first. The INKEY List's dermatologists recommend it before a first use.

Two things the brand flags: it does not recommend pairing this with vitamin C. And if your skin is combination, your T-zone is the only oily part, or your breakouts are not currently active, The INKEY List points you to its 10% niacinamide serum instead — sold separately. For mild blackheads, the brand suggests its beta hydroxy acid, also sold separately.

Is it right for you?

Questions

Is 20% too strong for me?

It is the highest concentration in the brand's niacinamide line-up and is pitched at oily skin. If your skin is combination or only shiny in the T-zone, The INKEY List itself recommends stepping down to its 10% serum. A patch test is advised either way.

Can I use it with vitamin C?

The brand says no — it does not recommend combining this serum with vitamin C. Use them on alternate days or at opposite ends of the day if you want both.

Where does it go in my routine?

Anywhere among your serums — the brand states they can be layered in any order. Apply after cleansing, twice a day.

How do I recycle the tube?

Cut the top off, use up whatever is left inside, rinse the tube out and put it in your recycling.

Delivery, payment and returns?

Delivery takes 3 to 21 working days, depending on availability. Payment is by credit card, debit card, Instapay or mobile wallet — no cash on delivery. Returns are for defective, damaged or expired items only, reported within 1 day of delivery, refunded to the original payment method within 15–30 days.