SkinBliss The Blemish Serum 8 / 10

The full breakdown

At R169 for a concentrated 12 percent niacinamide and 2 percent zinc formulation, this South African serum offers strong oil control and lightweight hydration, though results can vary depending on individual skin response.

Ingredient breakdown

• Niacinamide
  Moderate evidence

  Commonly used to help improve skin barrier hydration, reduce visible redness and support a more even skin tone; efficacy is most often demonstrated in multi-ingredient formulations rather than in isolation.

• Zinc PCA
  Moderate evidence

  Commonly used to help regulate sebum production, particularly on the scalp and oily skin. A prospective cohort clinical study found a Zinc PCA-containing scalp gel, combined with salicylic acid and piroctone olamine, improved symptoms of moderate-to-severe seborrheic dermatitis, a condition linked to sebum secretion and skin microbiota dysbiosis.

• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Infusion

  Detailed ingredient profile coming soon.

• Panthenol
  Moderate evidence

  Commonly used to support skin barrier hydration, reduce irritation and promote wound healing after procedures such as laser treatment or microneedling. Reviewed clinical and in-vitro evidence describes barrier-strengthening and re-epithelialization benefits, including in atopic dermatitis and postprocedure wound care.

• Hyaluronic Acid
  Moderate evidence

  Commonly used as a humectant to draw and hold moisture in the skin and improve surface hydration; low molecular weight forms have shown measurably better hydration results than high molecular weight forms in controlled testing.

• Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract

  Detailed ingredient profile coming soon.

Best suited to

Oily, Blemish-Prone, Sensitive, Combination