La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum

What is in the formula

The US Mela B3 serum is marketed with Melasyl and 10% niacinamide. Its ingredient list also contains fragrance, retinyl palmitate and capryloyl salicylic acid. We do not infer the Melasyl concentration or treat this as a simple niacinamide-only serum.

Evidence and its limits

A manufacturer-affiliated, single-arm study followed 32 participants with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation for three months using a 2-MNG-containing serum. Improvement was reported, but the absence of a comparator limits causal conclusions. The current US formula’s exact match to the study product is not established here. Brand-advertised improvement percentages are not an independent DSULABs success rate.

Fit in the current routine

This remains a catalog comparison, not an additional treatment in the routine finder. Reading this review should not be interpreted as permission to layer it onto the selected azelaic acid or vitamin C product. Any new finder assignment would require a separate scientific review.

What this review cannot establish

A sensitive-skin marketing claim does not override personal fragrance sensitivity or other ingredient concerns. No pregnancy-suitability, superiority or guaranteed-results claim is made. We have not personally tested this serum.

Directions and precautions

The brand’s directions place the serum after cleansing and advise avoiding the eye area. Follow the current package. Review existing actives and prescriptions before adding another treatment, and retain sun protection as part of dark-spot care.

Always check the current package. A review cannot assess your individual reaction or replace care from a qualified clinician.