My first K-beauty skincare product! You might have not seen me talking much about the Korean skincare trend on this blog but I finally joined the bandwagon last month.
TIAM, a Korean beauty brand, sent me their Vita B3 Source to try and review around a month and a half ago. I had been using it consistently ever since and have seen some good results with my uneven skin tone.
So I thought I should pen down my thoughts on the Vita B3 Source which is basically a mixture of 10% Niacinamide and 2% Arbutin solution. And it targets dark spots and uneven skin tone, thereby giving you a brighter complexion.
Key Ingredients of TIAM Vita b3 Serum
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 which improves skin’s barrier function and also controls melanin production which gives brighter skin. It also helps to regulate oil-production so it’s great for people with oily skin.
A less irritating alternative to hydroquinone, Arbutin, is a natural ingredient that prevents the synthesis of melanin and works on reducing pigmentation. This serum has Beta Arbutin. Now, what’s that?! Refer to this handy chart below to know more about Alpha and Beta Arbutin.
Does that mean the Tiam Vita B3 Source is ineffective due to the presence of Beta Arbutin?
Yes and No. From what I can understand, it also has a very high concentration of Niacinamide so that combination might have increased the effectiveness of the product.
As per the brand, It works in a 2-step process in which Arbutin inhibits synthesis of melanin and Niacinamide prevents packets of melanin from reaching the skin’s surface.
Price: $18.20 for 40ml
Availability: You can buy it on Yesstyle.
Tiam Vita B3 Source Review
This serum combines two of the best-known ingredients that are known to work on blemishes and give even-toned skin.
Being a brown girl with acne-prone skin, I do have to deal with the brown spots acne leave. So, this Vita B3 serum was definitely something I could use to target my skin concerns.
Not just acne, ageing, pollution, stress, and sun exposure also leave the skin looking dull and lifeless. This is why it is important to use brightening ingredients in your routine to bring back life to your skin.
And make sure it’s protected from the sun with a good quality sunscreen like Purito Centella Unscented Sunscreen With SPF50
pACKAGING
The Tiam Vita B3 serum comes in a dark brown, glass bottle that has a dropper to dispense the product. I have The Ordinary’s Niacinamide solution but it came in a clear glass bottle.
So I’m guessing that the dark coloured bottle here is to help with the stability of “Arbutin” used here. (Refer to the comparison chart above). What do you guys think? The glass bottle is slightly heavy and you have to be careful with it while travelling.
TEXTURE & SMELL
The serum is a clear solution that’s slightly more viscous than water. Again, on comparing with The Ordinary’s Niacinamide + Zinc Solution, this one’s more watery thin and runny. And the Tiam B3 source doesn’t have any smell to it.
I love the lightweight texture of this serum because it gets completely absorbed into the skin and doesn’t sit on it.
HOW TO USE TIAM VITA B3 SERUM?
After cleansing and toning (optional), I take 2 drops of this serum and apply it all over my face and neck. Then add another drop just to pat it on the acne scars and the area around my mouth that has some discolouration.
I do this twice a day, morning and night and follow it up with a moisturizer and sunscreen (in the morning). It gets absorbed very fast and leaves a dewy finish.
It’s also hydrating so you can easily cut down your skincare steps! You wouldn’t experience any oiliness and sticky/heavy feeling with this TIAM serum.
How Does the Tiam Vita B3 Source Work?
I started using this in the second week of February and I have also attached pictures of my short 2-3 week journey with this product. I wanted to test it out and see how it works on fading my newly-gifted acne scars. The first picture shows day 1, with the light brown marks showing through.
A week later, I noticed some reduction in the brown spots, they became lighter than before but didn’t disappear completely.
The last one is week 2 where the dark spots have reduced considerably but they have still not disappeared. I understand that these acne spots can take months to disappear completely.
It showed great results within a short period of time!
UPDATE: I’m writing this paragraph after a year of using the Vita B3 Source. With regular use, it REALLY made my acne spots disappear in 4-6 weeks depending on how fresh and deep they were. However, these were the spots from mild acne that I used to get at that time of the month. Recently, I encountered painful cystic acne that left very deep and stubborn acne spots and scars. I didn’t have this serum with me anymore but I’m not sure if it’d have worked anyway. I used prescription retinoid to treat my skin and got positive results. You can read my retinoid skincare routine and journey to know more!
Buy it on Yesstyle!
Overall, my skin looks healthy and dewy. Another point to note is, I have been exfoliating my face 2-3 times a week with The Ordinary Glycolic Acid which is another product that works on scars and uneven skin tone. So both the TIAM Vita B3 Source and AHA worked in conjunction to even out my complexion.
It’s been over a month and I am still using this serum. I have at least 80% of the product left which shows how long it will last you. Even if you don’t want to buy this particular product, you can use any Niacinamide or Alpha Arbutin based serum from a good brand to help with blemishes.
Comparison between The Ordinary & Tiam
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10%+Zinc 1% targets scars, uneven skin tone and sebum/ oil-production (Thanks to zinc!). While the Tiam Vita B3 Source with Niacinamide 10% + Arbutin 2% is meant only for scars, blemishes and uneven skin tone. So you can make the decision depending on what your skin needs. Also, The Ordinary one feels like it’s sitting on my skin which might bother people.
The price tag is pretty similar to The Ordinary one retailing for approx $10 and TIAM for $18 but TIAM is often on sale and goes as low as $13-14.
Why You Should Buy Tiam Vita B3 Source?
- Evens out skin tone
- Works on reducing acne spots
- Very lightweight
- Didn’t cause skin irritation
- Cruelty-Free
- Affordable
- Not added fragrance
Why You Should Avoid Tiam Vita B3 Source?
- Couldn’t find a reason. It does what it claims but don’t expect dramatic results overnight.
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Roe says
I just came across this amazing review 🤍
Can I use neutrogena 2in1 toner with this serum please
Rifat Yaseen says
Yes
Rachel says
What’s the best way to store and preserve the tiam b3 serum?
ANIS AMANI says
Hi , do you know if i can mixed this serum with snail essence corsx ?
Rifat Yaseen says
Hi, you don’t need to mix both but you can use them in the same routine. The TIAM serum would go first since it is thinner consistency wise.
Sabiha says
I have some acne scars,and spots..I want to reduce these spots and want a bright skin..so whats should i use?? Tiam vita b3 source or The ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2%??
Rifat Yaseen says
Depends on you what you want to get, both are good products. But they will only help with spots and uneven skin tone, not acne scars.
Lynda says
I have sunburn and recently started using depiwhite sunscreen during the day and depiwhite advanced at night, but I want to incorporate niacinamide to my morning routine before applying my sunscreen but I don’t know if it’s gonna be compatible with my sunscreen and also I want to know if niacinamide targets hyperpigmentation caused by the sun and also which of these reviewed niacinamide products will be better for an oily skin, my sunscreen has a dewy finish too. I don’t have acne prone or sensitive skin. Thanks
Rifat Yaseen says
Hello! Yes you can use the TIAM serum in the morning, it won’t do anything to the sunscreen just apply sunscreen when your skin has completely absorbed the serum. This ones doesn’t leave skin tacky at all so it should be fine.
Lynda says
Can I use Tiam niacinamide together with my depiwhite sunscreen?
Lamia says
I want to use tiam vita b3 serum with mugwart essence and klairs midnight blue calming cream. I have a sensitive combination,acne prone skin. Moreover I want to brighten my skin along with remove my acne scar too.are these products good combo?.please reply me as soon as possible. Thank you
Rifat Yaseen says
Yes the combination is great!
Suraiya Sultana says
Is tiam vita b3 source serum vegan?
Rifat Yaseen says
Hi, yes it is.
Azzah says
Hi! Do you know if this can be use together with vitamin c serum? Currently I’m using vitamin c from klairs
Rifat Yaseen says
Yes, you can use it with Vitamin C!
Ja-im says
Will tiam vita b3 source work on minimize large pores?
Rifat Yaseen says
No! I didn’t notice any such effect.
Vikashini says
Hi dear, i read ur reviews on the ordinary and the tiam.I have a doubt, the scars which u have mentioned here is black scars or acne pits? I have lot of deep acne pits. Which product should i incorporate in my skin care routine to cure it atleast to some extent
Rifat Yaseen says
Hey! They’re not pits, they’re light brown acne spots. These products won’t work on deep acne pits. Introducing retinol will help a little, try and take a look at The Ordinary for the same.
Jennifer says
Hi please can I use tiam vita b3 source in the morning and kojivit gel at night
Jennifer says
Please can I use tiam vita b3 source in the morning and use Isispharma unitone white advanced digpigmenting serum at night
Rifat Yaseen says
I do not know about the other product but you can use the tiam product either am or pm, not a problem
Rifat Yaseen says
Using it in morning should not be a problem 🙂
Fara says
Hi, i’m thinking of buying Niacinamide for my mom because i read it good for uneven skin and anti aging too. Can you recommend which one is better the ordinary or tiam
Rifat Yaseen says
The ordinary one is a little mattifying while tiam isn’t so if she has a little oily skin The Ordinary would be great otherwise I’d go for tiam. Hope that helps 🙂
Srabonti says
Can u plz tell me does it really works for acne scar? I’ve very light acne scar n right now I’m using trucicca snail toner + serum so can I switch it to this serum? Plz reply?????
Rifat Yaseen says
It does work for light acne spots. You can use it with the snail toner+serum that you already have!
Lateefat says
Can I use the tiam b3 source with tiam b3 mist toner
Rifat Yaseen says
Yes
baby says
hai im just wondering i’ve been using the ordinary niacinamide for a year i guess and im loving it so much and i have no issues with it. but then i came across this brand and i really want to try it out. i just want to ask your opinion on whether i should buy this product or not if i have an oily skin. thank you ❤️
Rifat Yaseen says
Hey! This product would definitely suit your skin. So if you’re bored of TO and want to try something else this is good but the results would be same as what you get from The Ordinary’s. In fact, I like that TO has zinc and it’s slightly mattifying too. It’s just up to you. 🙂
wan nor atikah wan amir says
Hai.. Do you think this product suitable for combination skin?I really want to try it but a bit worry because i have combination skin.
Rifat Yaseen says
Hey yes, it would work for your skin type, nothing to be scared of 🙂
Tiffany Aira says
Heyy it is such a great review! I’ve thinking to buy this product but i’m in a dilemma because i don’t know which product is good for me. I’ve dry and dull skin. Is this product work on me? Or i should buy The Ordinary Ninacinamide or The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin or Tiam Vita B3. Which one is good for my skin? Also which of it could give me more effect about the brightening?
Rifat Yaseen says
Hello, I would not use the ordinary niacinamide on dry skin because it has a mattifying effect (which I basically love for my oily skin) You can opt for The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutin Serum for brightening effects xx
Kratika says
Hii, I’ve been thinking of buying this. But my problem is dullness on skin. Does this work on that? It has a percent of niacinamide with arbutin also, so I thought it would work on brightening but you have not mentioned abt the brightening part here.
Rifat Yaseen says
Hey, oh yes it does give an even and slightly brighter skin tone but I find The Ordinary Niacinamide serum to be better when it comes to that brightening effect.
Julia says
Hello!
This is a very detailed review so thank you! I was wondering if you ever experienced an stickiness/tackiness upon applying this product, did it ever ball up and how long did it take to be absorbed into the skin?
Thank you!
Rifat Yaseen says
Hey
Thank you so much. No the consistency is just like water and it doesn’t give any tackiness, neither did it ball up when you use the right amount (2-3 drops) and it gets absorbed almost instantly. I have tried other niacinamides from brands like The Ordinary and I like the Tiam one better because of its watery, light formula. Hope this answers your question xoxo
sha says
Hi? i have dry skin and struggle with acne scar (black colour).. i want to try tiam but tiam serum use beta arbutin n not alpha arbutin like the ordinary can you help me ? my dry skin can tolerate with arbutin n niacinamide.. and should i buy both alpha arbutin n niacinamide from the ordinary or just alpha arbutin? thank you for helping me and love your review.. you must have beautiful face😊
Rifat Yaseen says
Hello beautiful,
Thank you for the compliment! I’d suggest you to try it with TIAM’s and see if you notice any improvement in 4-6 weeks’ time. It’s better to take it slow than to buy too many things at once. Please mind that deep brown spots take a very long time to go away. Btw, if you’re located in the US, look for “Topicals Faded”, this one really helps much more for acne spots.
Carla says
We’r did you buy it?
Rifat Yaseen says
It’s available on jolse.com and they charge around US$2.50 for international shipping.
21flavorsofsplendor says
Great review! I have some blemishes that I would love to get rid of, so I’ll have to look more into this since I can truly see your results so far.
Rifat Yaseen says
It definitely works on that. However, if korean beauty brands aren’t accessible to you, The Ordinary’s Niacinamide+Zinc works pretty much the same 🙂 Hope this helped!
Rach says
I learned a lot from this! Great timing for summer as I get very dark in the sun believe it or not. I also suffer from blemishes pretty frequently. I love The Ordinary but this product seems very effective. Thanks for the info!
Rifat Yaseen says
You’re welcome! I tan pretty easily in summer so an anti-oxidant definitely helps 🙂 And of course slathering on some spf.