Anua or AXIS-Y: Which niacinamide serum is right for you?
Ten or five percent niacinamide? What differentiates Anua and AXIS-Y for your selection and why the higher number alone does not promise better care.
Anua or AXIS-Y: Which niacinamide serum is right for you?
A pimple has long since disappeared, but its dark spot remains. Maybe that’s why you’re looking for a serum that will make your complexion look more even. You will often come across Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% and AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum in this search. Niacinamide plays a role in both – but the number in front of it is only part of the decision.
We compare Anua’s 30ml bottle with AXIS-Y’s 50ml serum. You will find out what makes the formulas different and how you can get started easily.
Anua or AXIS-Y: 10 percent is not automatically better
According to the manufacturer, the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum combines ten percent niacinamide with four percent tranexamic acid. The AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum contains five percent niacinamide and supplements, among other things, squalane and glycerin.
No double effect can be derived from ten instead of five percent. If you’re just learning about niacinamide, a lower concentration is a reasonable starting point. How well the entire formulation suits your skin still remains crucial.
| Feature | Anua Niacinamide + TXA | AXIS-Y Dark Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Niacinamide according to the manufacturer | 10% | 5% |
| Other key points | 4% tranexamic acid, moisture binders | Squalane, glycerin, plant extracts |
| Package contents | 30 ml | 50 ml |
| Please note if you are sensitive to fragrance | No perfume in the listed formula | Rosemary leaf oil in the listed formula |
AXIS-Y contains 20 ml more in this selection. Our tool therefore shows you not only the pack price but also the price per 100 ml: Compare Anua Niacinamide + TXA and AXIS-Y Dark Spot directly . Both serums are already selected.
For whom AXIS-Y is a great first choice
Would you like to try niacinamide and also supplement moisture? AXIS-Y combines the lower of the two concentrations with a texture described by the manufacturer as light. Squalane adds a smooth component to the moisturizer. This fits in well with a routine that has so far mainly focused on cleansing and cream.
One caveat deserves attention: the ingredients list contains rosemary leaf oil. “Without an artificial scent” would therefore not be a sufficient reason to choose the serum if you are known to be sensitive to scents. The five percent does not automatically make the entire formula gentler than Anua.
When Anua is the more targeted choice
Are you already familiar with niacinamide and would you like to try the combination with tranexamic acid for the appearance of dark spots? Then there is more to be said for Anua. The higher concentration is a reason to start cautiously, not a mandate to use as many drops as possible.
A few drops before the cream are enough as a new step. To get started, you don’t have to start straight away in the morning and evening. Give the skin time to adjust to the new formula and only increase the frequency if it copes well with it.
What is involved in skincare against dark spots
Both serums are about a more even skin tone. They do not remove sunken acne scars and do not replace treatment for a skin condition. Red spots are also not the same as brown pigment spots.
Sun protection is essential during the day. For Anua, the manufacturer recommends at least SPF 30. Apply it as the last step and follow up with cream to match the application. If you are just discovering several active ingredients, you will find guidance on the order in our article Niacinamide, azelaic acid and vitamin C combine.
FAQs about Anua and AXIS-Y
Can I use both serums together?
For the same care request, we would first select one. Both bring niacinamide. An additional application of the second serum is not a proven faster way to even-looking skin.
Which one suits sensitive skin?
None can be recommended across the board. AXIS-Y contains less niacinamide but contains rosemary leaf oil. Anua does not contain perfume in the listed formula, but contains ten percent niacinamide and other active ingredients. If your skin is currently burning or flaking, stick to basic skincare that you already tolerate.
When will my pimple marks disappear?
There is no fixed date for this. The type and duration of the discoloration, sun protection and tolerance play a role. A new or noticeably changed skin mole should be evaluated by a doctor instead of being treated with a serum.
If you are torn between the two, Thu will be happy to help you think through your current routine. Via Ask Thu you can tell her which products you already tolerate and what you would like from a new serum.
Editorial comparison, no separate application test. Sources: Anua: Niacinamide 10 TXA 4 , AXIS-Y: Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum and the linked shop formulas. As of September 18, 2026.
