Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment scores 8.7/9.8 overall. It ranks highest in low irritation risk (9.5) and formulation safety (9.0).
✶ Hero ingredients
Vitamin B3 that brightens and strengthens skin barrier
Humectant with antimicrobial properties
Lightweight humectant and solvent
Score breakdown
Scores last verified: July 2026
What makes Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment stand out
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment is an excellent serum with an overall score of 8.7/9.8. Positioned in the mid-range bracket, it delivers a well-rounded formulation that balances efficacy with gentleness. The formula leads with Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol — ingredients that actively target skin concerns.
It performs well on hydration (6.8) and low irritation risk (9.5) and active strength (6.7).
Is this right for you?
Great for
- ✓Sensitive skin — low irritation risk with a gentle formulation
- ✓Safety-conscious shoppers — clean formulation with minimal flags
- ✓Ingredient-aware buyers — transparent, well-documented formula
Key ingredients
- ✶Niacinamide
Works on your skin — #2 in the INCI list
- ✶Pentylene Glycol
Draws in moisture — #3 in the INCI list
- ✶Butylene Glycol
Draws in moisture — #4 in the INCI list
- ✶Glycerin
Draws in moisture — #5 in the INCI list
- ✶Acetyl Glucosamine
Works on your skin — #6 in the INCI list
What creators are saying
TikTokFull ingredient list
23 ingredients — listed in INCI order (highest concentration first)
Compare with similar products
- Lancôme Renergie C.R.X. Triple Serum Retinol9.7
- INNBEAUTY PROJECT Pro C Serum Brightening Solution with 15% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid9.7
- innisfree Vitamin C Brightening Serum-Infused Mask for Dark Spots9.7
- Skinfix barrier+ Triple Lipid Activating Serum With Plumping Peptides and Niacinamide9.6
- innisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars9.6
Ingredient breakdown
- Works on your skin9
- Draws in moisture5
- Other ingredient3
- Holds the formula together3
- Keeps the product fresh2
- Formula balancers1