nextbest

See what everyone's saying

Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum

HyperpigmentationSerum

Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum — Reddit Reviews

by La Roche-Posay

70nextscore25 verdicts

Updated October 3, 2026

Niacinamide-based dark spot serum for hyperpigmentation; mixed results, burning reports.

What the community says

Backed by 57 studies

A niacinamide-heavy dark spot serum people mostly reach for on melasma, post-acne marks, and stubborn sun spots. Redditors split hard: some see fading, others get burning or nothing after months, so YMMV if your skin is reactive or impatient.

From Reddit

Backed by 27 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • Niacinamide-heavy dark spot focus
  • Can visibly fade stubborn pigmentation
  • Often layers fine in AM or PM routines

Watch out for

  • Burning and stinging show up in real use
  • Too many people report no visible change
  • Fragrance is a real snag for sensitive skin

Product details

Key Ingredients

Where to buy

What the science says vs. what Reddit says

  • Acne

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
    • It often cleared acne about as well as clindamycin when put on the skin
    • Some studies found it helped reduce red, sore spots and pimples
    • Some evidence is still uncertain because some studies found no clear difference
  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 20 studies

    On Reddit: After four months of nightly use, one commenter reports a great reduction in pigmentation. 11 mentions

    What the studies found
    • All 5 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
    • On its own, it reduced facial darkening and made skin look lighter than a placebo
    • It also improved dark spots linked with sun damage in one clinical trial
    • Used with other ingredients, it faded patches more than niacinamide alone or the other ingredient alone
    • The side effects were similar and mild in the study that reported them
  • Anti-Aging

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 3 studies tested it on its own. See all 9 studies

    What the studies found
    • All 3 studies that tested it on its own found it helped with signs of aging
    • Studies found it improved the look of wrinkles and made skin seem firmer
    • Studies also found it helped dark spots and reduced redness and yellowing
    • One study found it helped skin hold more water and lowered water loss through the skin
    • Used with another ingredient, it improved dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and firmness more than niacinamide alone
  • Skin Barrier

    Not proven yet

    Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

    Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • The one study that tested it on its own found it helped the skin barrier
    • It lowered water loss through the skin
    • It increased the thickness of the outer skin layer

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 38 mentions across 27 threads

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum on Reddit, in one place — 27 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more, summarized.

“and la roche posay mela b3 every morning”

Positive

“My skincare routine is basically cleaning my face with micelar water, effaclar by la roche posay and biretix every other day at night, and la roche posay mela b3 every morning.”

Positive

“I wear sunscreen every day.”

Positive

“PM: Cleanser (La Roche-Posay Toleriane) → La Roche-Posay Mela B3 serum → La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5”

Positive

“Open to hearing if this is doing anything useful for the post-AK redness/damage, or if I should be adding/swapping something.”

Positive

“Anything you'd add to or change about my current routine, or anything you'd specifically make sure to ask my derm about at my next visit?”

Positive

“La Roche Posay Mela B3 serum, then wait at least 3 minutes for it to absorb/dry”

Positive

“My skin has had near-zero post-tret peeling since I've started this regimen”

Positive

“Gentle tips that have helped me while re-implementing tret into my PM regimen”

Positive

“La Roche posay mela B3 serum works wonders for dark spots ..... Good luck babe!”

Positive

“Does anyone know what these brown marks are under my eyes and how I can get rid of them?”

Positive

“Hi! Does anyone know what these brown marks are under my eyes and how I can get rid of them?”

Positive

“[La Roche Posay Mela B3 serum ]”

Mentioned

“Evening:”

Mentioned

“Some examples of products that may help:”

Mentioned
82

“3. La Roche Posay mela B3 serum (for dark spot correction)”

Positive

“My skincare routine tonight is as follows”

Positive

“Everything but the pair acne cream is apart of my normal routine so I will know if the pair is the thing making the difference.”

Positive

Dupes & Alternatives

Compare all 11 alternatives

Reddit's best serums by concern or skin type

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more