Minimalist Niacinamide Serum (5% or 10%)

A budget-friendly niacinamide serum that helps reduce acne, pigmentation, and oiliness with beginner-friendly formulas.

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Rankings by Sentiment Analysis

Reddit Rank

Total Upvotes

113

Editorial Summary: This niacinamide serum is a hit for many acne-prone folks clearing breakouts and fading marks. Beginners should start at 5% for best results and watch out for fakes online. Some peeps get irritated though, so patch test before diving in. Lightweight and budget-friendly, but results can vary.

Pros

✓Effective for acne-prone skin and helps reduce breakouts
✓Suitable for beginners with 5% concentration recommended first
✓Generally praised for improving skin clarity and reducing pigmentation
✓Lightweight texture preferred by some over competitors
✓Affordable option with noticeable brightening effects

Cons

✗Some users experienced irritation, bumps, or worsened skin texture
✗Concerns about counterfeit products when purchased from unauthorized sellers
✗Inconsistent results; may not suit sensitive or fungal acne-prone skin
✗Some find higher concentrations too strong or irritating
✗Occasional reports of product packaging issues

Methodology: Analyzed 42 user quotes from multiple skincare-focused subreddits including IndianSkincareAddicts, Sephora, and SkincareAddiction between June 2017 and June 2025, synthesizing top pros, cons, and FAQs based on frequency and relevance.

Asked by Redditors

Is this serum suitable for sensitive skin?

It's generally suitable but some with sensitive or fungal acne skin reported irritation.

What concentration should beginners start with?

Starting with the 5% niacinamide serum is recommended before trying higher percentages.

Where should I buy to avoid counterfeit products?

Purchase only from official websites or authorized retailers like Myntra, Nykaa, or Tira.

Does it help with pigmentation and acne marks?

Yes, many users report improvement in pigmentation and acne marks over time.

Can the serum cause breakouts?

Some users experienced bumps or breakouts; patch testing is advised before full use.

Reddit Reviews:

Calculated by the the number of posts or comments that have an opinion on this product

Positive

Neutral

Negative

the 5% niacinamide serum and the Alpha arbutin one from Minimalist have been helpful :)

u/pleasebekind2021yeahSentiment: likely neutral Upvotes: 41

i have so much to vent out!! istg I am an acne prone girly and started using minimalist's 10% niacinamide serum and it was so helpful in all the breakouts and my skin visibly became clearer with less acne

u/Other_Pilot6260Sentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 27

This and minimalist niacinamide 5% is very praised, can't decide which one to buy ab

u/casuallycruel_guyySentiment: likely neutral Upvotes: 25

Return it. The other box has a seal/ peel off kinda thingy that shows that the product is unused. This might be used and also I don't think it should have the smell you are describing Also, where did you order it from?

u/bored_egg_Sentiment: likely negative Upvotes: 22

These are both really good, if you have oily skin it could be worth a try!

u/NoSpaghettiForYouuSentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 20

If you are a starter go with Minimalist 5% first and then gradually go to 10%

u/Interesting-Fix6358Sentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 18

Obsessed with both of these products! A great way to try these out without paying for full sizes of both!

u/jilliancadSentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 15

i was also using this and it turned my clear skin into a weird, bumpy texture. still, today, the ordinary niacinamide is the best budget niacinamide out there and two minimalist serums come close second. i bought the plum one because of how people here were raving about it and its ingredient list, which has a lot of brightening ingredients.

u/RodrickJasperHeffleySentiment: likely neutral Upvotes: 12

After using both of these and the 5% niacinamide from minimalist, I'd say Be minimalist 5% for acne and The ordinary for PIH and overall brightening.

u/DifferentAnxiety5527Sentiment: likely positive Upvotes: 6

Its a fake

u/PeanutskillsmeSentiment: likely negative Upvotes: 6

Currently Showing 10 Reviews