22 May
skincare
/ 5 min
Deep Dive Review: Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum – What is inside the bottle? Can it Heal Your Skin and Bring Out Your Glow?
Anua’s sensitive skincare promises another award-winning product with their TXA Niacinamide serum. Does it match the hype and work in real time?
First off: What’s In The Bottle?
From just a glance, the serum contains a whopping +50 ingredients – which range from those in the title (tranexamic acid and niacinamide), to alpha arbutin (whitening) to 8+ floral extracts and +5 seed oils. It contains everything from ivy to olive extract to camellia, peach flowers to centella asciatica. So, what’s doing the heavy lifting for Anua’s promises of smoother, calmer and glowy skin?
Niacinamide – topical niacinamide (aka Vitamin B3) is crucial for energy production in skin cells, as well as known to aid in DNA repair and the cell’s response to stress. It has benefits in a range of skin conditions, from acne to psoriasis. It levels inflammation, encourages skin cells to heal and provides nutrients for skin health. It is also the source of the pink color of the serum.
Transexamic acid (TXA) - is used to reduce redness and appearance of inflammation or blood vessels under the skin. It can also inhibit melanin, preventing hyperpigmentation and creates clearer, whiter skin. Topical TXA, at 4%, is a vital ingredient in helping repair skin from acne breakouts and induce calming and long-term healing of pigment.
Alpha Arbutin – is a compound isolated from rice products, that has been used for years to whiten and brighten skin. It is a soothing antioxidant that also inhibits melanin, providing clearer and healthier skin within a few uses.
Apart from these powerful players; it is boosted with hydrating hyaluronic acid, ceramide and panthenol to provide a deeper glow.
What Does It Do?
Anua claims that use of the serum daily and nightly improves skin appearance within 2 weeks, providing improved appearance of pores, reducing acne scarring and improving overall skin tone.
This serum is designed and best suited to combination or sensitive skin that suffers from acne. This is the holy grail for acne scars, especially “erythematous” scarring – which is the red, scaly patches that remain after an active break-out. It should be combined with a good, calming cleanser and given space to absorb before adding additional products.
If you want to soften your skin, even out tone and reduce pore appearance – this is the serum to pick, especially if you’ve managed to handle an active outbreak, but want to clear the remaining surface scars and achieve your glassy skin goals.
When to Avoid?
Topical niacinamide can reduce sebum production, but if you have oily sensitive skin there is a risk of causing breakouts and increased reactivity to skin. It is also not likely to work as well during an active acne breakout (think angry, active whiteheads) - as it does not have the right tools to calm and prevent further whiteheads, and the many essential oils are likely to anger active acne. If you have a reaction to products that are high in different seed oils (think 30 Days Miracle Serum by Some By Mi)- this product can risk angering your acne in the short term.
2 Week Promise – Can Anua Keep It?
I was tasked to trial out the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum for two weeks – to see if there was truly an appreciated difference. At Arktastic, we want to get to the heart of K-Beauty, to sell products that work and produce great satisfaction, so it would be remiss to skip this famous serum. And lo and behold, I just happened to be recovering from an active acne breakout on my cheeks.
This picture was prior to using any serum. There is noticeable pigmentation on my cheeks from the recent outbreak. I had noticeable pores, varied levels of oily and dry (thanks, combination skin) and uneven skin tone.
I have combination skin type and constant acne breakouts – which I’ve tried a variety of products to remedy with varied success. I began using the Anua Niacinamide serum twice daily; after washing my face in the morning and evening and after using a calming toner. I would sit and wait for the toner to absorb, before applying the Niacinamide serum carefully to both cheeks and forehead and softly spread it with my fingertips until it absorbed.
It’s a watery, feather light serum that was quick absorbing. It had no noticeable scent and in less than a minute, it had disappeared into my skin, simply leaving a gentle shine.
On the first application, I noticed my face flush – reacting slightly to the high level of niacinamide. The instant redness on my first use made me think I’d made a mistake – and I fanned my face until it dried, before applying a soothing hyaluronic acid moisturizer.
This did not happen again on my second use, instead my skin appeared already used to the higher level of niacinamide. Instead, it quickly absorbed and my skin already appeared healthier, more hydrated and comforted.
Results – Breaking Down the Verdict
It might have been just the fact that I switched up my routine and was feeling cuter – but I did have coworkers complimenting my general appearance. The niacinamide immediately brightened my general skin tone and when the serum was added, it created a glowy effect that is classic of niacinamide.
This picture was taken after 10 days of morning/night use. My acne scars diminished in appearance and had healed up quite quickly compared to normal. My pores were smoother and my skin felt more even. It was a great product to help even out damaged skin and made me feel more confident in the post-breakout recovery period.
Using the serum morning and night, however, does use it up quite quickly – I’d estimate a single bottle would last about a month. I would say it was worth it for my skin type (combination, sensitive or dry would suit well!)– and I will continue using the serum to help heal my cheek scarring.
It bore resemblance to the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum (which also contains niacinamide, but a lesser dose and is combined with comforting propolis) - which would produce a similar, warm glow. I like that the Anua Niacinamide/TXA serum, however, also targets my general redness and acne scarring – which makes it a winner for my skin.
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Written by Admin
22 May 2025