This post contains affiliate links. Product won in a giveaway.
Hyperpigmentation is the bane of my existence. I don’t mind and even like freckles, but age spots and other discoloration is where I draw the line. For years now I’ve been successfully addressing pigmentation on my face - watch this video for my best tips.
Niacinamide is one of the superstar ingredients when it comes to evening out the skin tone, improving the appearance of pores and even holding back some fine lines and wrinkles. I’ve been using TIA'M Vita B3 Source, which combines niacinamide and arbutin in one powerful formula. I won it. It’s also available on Amazon, Jolse, Stylevana (use INF10KBH until the end of Oct 2021 for a discount) and YesStyle (save with reward code KBHOBBIT).
How to use:
Apply 2-3 drops to a clean face after toner
Add extra to the areas of concern
Finish with moisturizer (evening) or SPF (morning)
TIA'M Vita B3 Source contains 10% niacinamide and 2% arbutin. It promises to brighten, fight discoloration, regulate the production of sebum, and improve the appearance of pores. The serum is clear, doesn’t have a smell (I do have a cold right now, but I think even before that it had no scent), and isn’t sticky.
My impressions
I have only been using this serum for a couple of weeks, so this portion of the review is first impressions. Let me start with a word of caution that 10% niacinamide is a pretty high concentration. The ingredient is effective in 2-5% as well, so if you’ve never tried it, perhaps start with a lower percentage.
I have recently finished a 10% niacinamide product (review here), so I had a good reason to suspect that Tia’m wouldn’t irritate my skin. So far so good. I really like the texture and the fact that the serum isn’t sticky or greasy. I typically use it in the evenings, because I have separate vitamin C products to finish off in the mornings. However, this would be ok to apply during the AM routine as well, if that’s what works for you.
So far, I am noticing better (aka smaller) looking pores and less skin sebum. Brightening and pigmentation is a long haul game. My skin is mostly clear now, so I would say my pigmentation efforts are maintenance oriented now, with the exception of one super stubborn PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) spot right on the tip of my nose. I hope that by the end of the bottle I can see some progress in that area too.
Have you tried any niacinamide products? Which ones are your favorites?
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TIA'M Vita B3 Source ingredients: Water, Niacinamide (10%), Butylene Glycol, Arbutin (2%), Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lindera Erythrocarpa Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract, Geranium Thunbergii Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methylpropanediol, Lauryl Pyridinium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol