La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum: a Guru Score of 60%

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Rosacea2 experts

“So, great for those with rosacea because it has the niacinamide in it, and it has barrier support from the thermal spring water.”

Dr. Daniel Sugai, watch at 4:55

Skin barrier support2 experts

“So, great for those with rosacea because it has the niacinamide in it, and it has barrier support from the thermal spring water.”

Dr. Daniel Sugai, watch at 4:55

Excess oil and shine1 expert

“niacinamide is anti-inflammatory so it can be soothing but also we found is skin brightening so and also it can help regulate seab bump production or oil production in people who have oilier skin”

Dr. Daniel Sugai, watch at 17:34

Redness1 expert

“It has niacinamide, which is helpful for redness.”

Dr Dray, watch at 8:07

Irritated or reactive skin1 expert

“La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains a milder form of retinol along with niacinamide which soothes the skin and minimizes irritation.”

Dr. Aleksandra Brown, watch at 9:50

Rough or uneven texture1 expert

“The key ingredient here is the pure retinol, it's a vitamin A derivative that promotes surface cell turnover, reduces fine lines, improves the skin texture.”

Dr. Aleksandra Brown, watch at 16:19

Fine lines and wrinkles1 expert

“The key ingredient here is the pure retinol, it's a vitamin A derivative that promotes surface cell turnover, reduces fine lines, improves the skin texture.”

Dr. Aleksandra Brown, watch at 16:19

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Daniel Sugai

723k subs

~Yay

"You can consider La Roche Posay's Retinol B3 also with niacinamide as a good over-the-counter retinoid option."

All 5 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

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"La Roche-Posay's Retinol B3 with niacinamide's another great serum to consider. It has its famous thermal spring water, which is full of great anti-inflammatory minerals, very soothing for the skin, and also hydrating. So, great for those with rosacea because it has the niacinamide in it, and it has barrier support from the thermal spring water."

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"Niacinamide is a great versatile ingredient that you can see in your retinoids in your retinol like La Roche-Posay's Retinol B3."

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"I think it's a great ingredient but too much of a good thing can be harmful but it works well with your retinol and I love retinols with vitamin B3 in it, niacinamide like La Roche-Posay Retinol B3."

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"In L Ro P's retinol this is a one of my favorites as well it has a gradual release retinol plus niacinamide and they work so well together niacinamide is anti-inflammatory so it can be soothing but also we found is skin brightening so and also it can help regulate seab bump production or oil production in people who have oilier skin"

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"You can consider La Roche Posay's Retinol B3 also with niacinamide as a good over-the-counter retinoid option."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

~Yay

"If it's from L'Oreal, the retinol has good science behind it. [...] L'Oreal [...] brands like La Roche-Posay, their retinols are going to be well formulated."

All 2 takes from Dr Dray

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"If it's from L'Oreal, the retinol has good science behind it. [...] L'Oreal [...] brands like La Roche-Posay, their retinols are going to be well formulated."

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"Their retinol is pretty good because La Roche-Posay is an L'Oreal brand and they do put a lot of R&D in the product. It has niacinamide, which is helpful for redness. However, I do believe this product has fragrance in it, so I just stick to the CeraVe retinols or the Neutrogena retinols, which are really good. [...] Retinols can be irritating, so having a fragrance in there just increases the chance of irritation."

Mad About Skin

734k subs

~Nay

"This little red bottled number has an undisclosed dose of retinol. If you really badger the company, they will tell you the strength, but it's not apparent from just looking at the product or on their website, making it easy for us to make an informed decision. You have to email them. It's a lot of work. But not only do they not fully transparent on the percentage, they also pair what is already quite a sensitizing ingredient, retinol, alongside other drying ingredients and fragrance."

All 3 takes from Mad About Skin

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"The Retinol Serum contains drying alcohol."

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"A great example of this would be La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum. [...] On the face of it, this looks great. They're transparent about the percentage they're using, which I definitely applaud. But when you look at the formulation, it actually contains drying alcohol and quite a lot of fragrance. I'm not completely anti fragrance and drying alcohol, I just don't think they belong in a retinoid serum."

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"This little red bottled number has an undisclosed dose of retinol. If you really badger the company, they will tell you the strength, but it's not apparent from just looking at the product or on their website, making it easy for us to make an informed decision. You have to email them. It's a lot of work. But not only do they not fully transparent on the percentage, they also pair what is already quite a sensitizing ingredient, retinol, alongside other drying ingredients and fragrance."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

~Yay

"Something like the rock retinol they pioneered retinol so they are the ogs in that category"

All 2 takes from Doctorly

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"Something like the rock retinol they pioneered retinol so they are the ogs in that category"

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"Their retinol again has a lot of alcohol also has fragrance. [...] For me it's a miss on almost all of the serums from La Roche-Posay, and I think that that's just coming down to preference and the fact that it has fragrance. I [...] do remember one of the first serums I used on my skin was one of the La Roche-Posay serums [...] and I 100% got a very burning stinging sensation off the bat, and that's uncommon for me just with my skin type unless I already have a damaged skin barrier."

Dr. Aleksandra Brown

153k subs

~Yay

"There's a variety of retinols. If you start over the counter, there's La Roche-Posay, they have really good retinols. They're going to be the mildest category [...] retinol. Really the brand on the front doesn't matter as much as the active ingredient."

All 3 takes from Dr. Aleksandra Brown

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"This is a slow release retinol serum designed for sensitive and rosacea prone skin combining the retinol with niacinamide and then these hydrating ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier and minimize irritation. The key ingredient here is the pure retinol, it's a vitamin A derivative that promotes surface cell turnover, reduces fine lines, improves the skin texture."

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"La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains a milder form of retinol along with niacinamide which soothes the skin and minimizes irritation. This retinol serum will combine the concentrated pure retinol and vitamin B3 for optimal effectiveness while also being suitable for sensitive skin. The key ingredients are the pure retinol which is a well researched form of vitamin A that promotes cell turnover improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of fine lines."

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"There's a variety of retinols. If you start over the counter, there's La Roche-Posay, they have really good retinols. They're going to be the mildest category [...] retinol. Really the brand on the front doesn't matter as much as the active ingredient."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Nay

"Their retinol I found to be super irritating, full of fragrance. La Roche-Posay has a lot of amazing stuff, but they also have a handful of stuff that my skin did not tolerate well, and a lot of people probably will not."

All 2 takes from No BS Beauty

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"La Roche Posay B3 retinol which very strongly scented very expensive and not super efficient or effective from what I found. La Roche Posay has some good stuff this just isn't one of them in my opinion."

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"Their retinol I found to be super irritating, full of fragrance. La Roche-Posay has a lot of amazing stuff, but they also have a handful of stuff that my skin did not tolerate well, and a lot of people probably will not."

Nipun Kapur

413k subs

~Mixed

"I'm using La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum, not happy."

Dimma Umeh

544k subs

~Yay

"I just take a little bit of my [...] retinol, the La Roche-Posay one that's my go-to at the moment. Pat that just a little bit, pat it into my skin."

All 2 takes from Dimma Umeh

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"I just take a little bit of my [...] retinol, the La Roche-Posay one that's my go-to at the moment. Pat that just a little bit, pat it into my skin."

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"I only use retinol night time."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum?

A retinol serum from La Roche-Posay that pairs retinol with niacinamide (vitamin B3) and the brand's thermal spring water, designed to target fine lines and uneven texture while supporting the skin barrier.

Is La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum worth it?

The gurus are split. 5 of the 8 gurus give it their stamp of approval while 2 would skip it, which lands it in the middle at a Guru Score of 60%.

What is La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum's Guru Score?

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum holds a Guru Score of 60%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum best for?

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum is generally suited to mature skin.

What is La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum is good for rosacea (2 experts), skin barrier support (2 experts), excess oil and shine (1 expert), redness (1 expert), irritated or reactive skin (1 expert) and rough or uneven texture (1 expert).

Is La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum good for rosacea?

2 experts who reviewed La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum say it is. Dr. Daniel Sugai put it this way: “So, great for those with rosacea because it has the niacinamide in it, and it has barrier support from the thermal spring water.”