The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml, AM/PM Skincare, Reduces Excess Oil, Anti-Blemish Skincare, Vegan Friendly, Suitable For All Skin Types vs Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Serum for Brightening
Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml, AM/PM Skincare, Reduces Excess Oil, Anti-Blemish Skincare, Vegan Friendly, Suitable For All Skin Types and Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Serum for Brightening.
Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 24 reviews
The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml, AM/PM Skincare, Reduces Excess Oil, Anti-Blemish Skincare, Vegan Friendly, Suitable For All Skin Types scores 77.0/100 vs Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Serum for Brightening at 74.0/100. The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml, AM/PM Skincare, Reduces Excess Oil, Anti-Blemish Skincare, Vegan Friendly, Suitable For All Skin Types wins on effectiveness, skin compatibility, value for money. Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Serum for Brightening is stronger on texture experience.
Which is better: The INKEY List 10% Niacinam... or Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Fa...?
The INKEY List wins with a higher score (77 vs 74) and a significantly lower price (£7.40 vs £12.79), making it the stronger pick for oily or blemish-prone skin needing reliable sebum control. Choose Minimalist if you're specifically targeting dullness or uneven tone, as the stable Vitamin C derivative offers a gentler brightening pathway for sensitive skin.
— AIScored Editorial Team
How Do the Scores Compare?
The INKEY List 10% Niacinam...
The INKEY Lis
|
Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Fa...
Minimalis
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.0 | 74.0 |
| Effectiveness |
79.0/100
Best
|
68.0/100 |
| Ingredient Quality |
74.0/100
Best
|
74.0/100
Best
|
| Skin Compatibility |
84.0/100
Best
|
83.0/100 |
| Texture & UX | 63.0/100 |
69.0/100
Best
|
| Value for Money |
86.0/100
Best
|
84.0/100 |
| Best Price |
£7.40
Amazon UK →
Cheapest
|
£12.79 Amazon UK → |
| Form | N/A | N/A |
| Dose | N/A | N/A |
| Third-Party Tested | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Reviews Analysed | 13 | 11 |
The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide S...
Pros
- ✓10% niacinamide is a clinically validated concentration for sebum regulation, pore appearance, and mild brightening
- ✓Fragrance-free and well tolerated — no irritation reported even in sensitive or reactive skin users
- ✓Lightweight, fast-absorbing formula layers easily under moisturiser and makeup
- ✓1% hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) supports hydration without greasiness
Cons
- ✗Carbomer-heavy gel base can leave a white cast and pilling sensation if more than a pea-sized amount is used
- ✗Mild tackiness noted immediately post-application, especially with heavier-handed application
- ✗Tube packaging makes precise dosing difficult and can dispense excess product
- ✗Photosensitivity anecdotally reported by one reviewer when used in the morning — general sun protection advice applies
Best For
Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Se...
Pros
- ✓Stable Vitamin C derivative (Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) resists oxidation — confirmed by user noting no discolouration over extended use
- ✓Clean, minimal-irritant formulation: fragrance-free, essential oil-free, paraben-free, silicone-free and dye-free
- ✓Centella Asiatica water base provides a soothing buffer, making it accessible for sensitive and reactive skin
- ✓Strong value-for-money positioning — multiple reviewers note visible results at an accessible price point
Cons
- ✗EAA has lower direct bioavailability than L-Ascorbic Acid — one reviewer reported no significant change after 3 full bottles
- ✗Texture inconsistency reported: some reviewers describe a sticky or shiny residue after drying, others report a matte finish
- ✗Full INCI list not disclosed in product listing, limiting independent formulation verification
- ✗Subtle, gradual results may disappoint users expecting the faster brightening of high-concentration LAA serums
Best For
What does the data say about The INKEY List 10% Nia... vs Minimalist 10% Vitamin...?
These two serums target different skin concerns despite sitting in the same price bracket. The INKEY List leads with 10% niacinamide — a well-researched concentration for regulating sebum, reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, and offering mild brightening over time. Minimalist takes a different angle with 10% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a stabilised Vitamin C derivative that prioritises oxidation resistance over the raw potency of traditional L-Ascorbic Acid. That distinction matters practically: EAA won't turn orange in the bottle, but it also converts to active Vitamin C less efficiently once absorbed, which likely explains the lower effectiveness score of 68 versus 79 for the INKEY List.
If your main concern is oiliness, congestion, or blemish-prone skin, the INKEY List at £7.40 is the more direct solution — and its value score of 86 reflects that. It layers quietly under moisturiser without fuss, though go easy on the amount or you'll get pilling. Minimalist at £12.79 suits someone primarily chasing a brightness boost or trying Vitamin C for the first time on sensitive skin; the Centella Asiatica base makes it gentler than most Vitamin C serums. They aren't directly interchangeable — one targets oil control, the other targets radiance — so the better question is which concern you're actually trying to address.
The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum is a straightforward, well-priced B3 treatment formulated with a clinically effective 10% niacinamide concentration paired with 1% hyaluronic acid for humectant support.
What are the key differences?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml, AM/PM Skincare, Reduces Excess Oil, Anti-Blemish Skincare, Vegan Friendly, Suitable For All Skin Types or Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Serum for Brightening? ▼
Is The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml, AM/PM Skincare, Reduces Excess Oil, Anti-Blemish Skincare, Vegan Friendly, Suitable For All Skin Types worth the price compared to Minimalist 10% Vitamin C Face Serum for Brightening? ▼
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Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
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