Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum Review

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Tired of dark spots that take ages to disappear? There are tons of serums and creams out there that claim to vanish post-acne marks in a flash. But not all skin-brightening products are made equal, and it can be really hard to tell which ones are actually worth your money.

I’ve tried quite a few ‘dark mark fading’ serums over the past few years; some have worked wonders for my skin, and others… not so much.

So, when I saw that Anua had come out with an effective but gentle dark spot serum, I felt like I had to test it out. And I was in luck because the Anua team reached out to send this over.

Here’s how the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum worked on my acne-prone skin, and whether I think it’s actually worth adding to your skincare routine.

What is the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum?

The Anua Dark Spot Correcting Serum is practically a supercharged version of the brand’s Peach Niacin Serum. It contains 10% niacinamide (compared to the peach serum’s 5%) as well as tranexamic acid to really brighten the skin and fade dark spots.

This product originally had a longer title, the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum Dark Spot Correcting Serum, but this was changed not too long ago (as well as the packaging).

Key ingredients

The star of the show here is Niacinamide. This serum has a concentration of 10%, which is on the higher end – 5% is usually a good place to start for beginners. Niacinamide is known for tackling redness and reducing the appearance of enlarged pores. It also plays a huge part in improving uneven skin tone.

Now, let’s move on to its pairing: Tranexamic Acid (TXA). Tranexamic Acid is not quite as well known as Niacinamide, but it’s equally as effective at targeting those pesky dark spots. What’s cool about TXA is that it actually prevents dark spots from forming in the first place, as well as helping fade existing ones.

You can see why Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid in combination are an unstoppable duo!

Given the watery texture, I didn’t really expect this serum to be that moisturising. However, this also contains a good number of plant oils that give it those skin-nourishing properties. We’ve got macadamia oil, olive oil, jojoba oil and grapeseed oil in here, to name just a few.

Obviously, Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid are the standout ingredients. But I was surprised to learn that they’re not the only brightening ingredients. This serum also contains Arbutin, Alpha Arbutin and Ethyl Ascorbic Acid (a stable form of vitamin C) – ingredients which are well known for reducing hyperpigmentation.

Texture and finish

This is a lightweight, watery serum which spreads into the skin nicely and absorbs pretty quickly too. It’s unscented and applies clear (despite the slightly intimidating red colour!). And it actually feels quite hydrating on the skin – any tightness disappears as soon as I put this on!

This serum does have a slightly tacky finish to it, but it’s not overly sticky. I think this tackiness is actually what helps it play well with other skincare and makeup products that are layered over the top. I don’t experience any pilling or separation from using this at all.

Where to buy it

If you’re in the UK, you can grab this from Boots and LOOKFANTASTIC. It’s usually about £22 for a 30ml bottle.

For international shoppers, you can buy this from Stylevana or YesStyle, where it retails for $22.

Final verdict: Is Anua’s Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum worth it?

Niacinamide serums are always a bit hit or miss, but I’ve really been enjoying using this one. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and has slotted into my skincare routine quite nicely. It’s always great when you find a serum that plays well with your other skincare products!

In terms of results, I wasn’t sure at first, but after continued use I honestly do think I’ve noticed a difference in my skin. Usually it takes ages for those pink post-acne marks to disappear but, as I’ve been using this serum, they’ve been fading much quicker than they normally do.

I’ve been using this every evening and my skin hasn’t looked this good in a while! Part of this is probably down to the hydrating qualities of this serum too. I’ve been able to streamline my skincare routine a bit by using this instead of an extra hyaluronic acid serum.

If you’re looking for a fragrance-free alternative to the Anna Peach Niacin Serum I seriously suggest you try this one.

Do you think you’d give the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum a go after reading this review? If not, what Anua products would you be interested in trying? Let me know!