Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum Review

Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
6Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
Rich Skin Soothing icon
in Skin Soothers
Review

Does Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum has to offer:
 
  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Significant anti-wrinkle efficacy. With an anti-wrinkle rating of 6.0 out of 10, Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum is effective in minimizing wrinkles.
  • Soothing: Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients, which may help to reduce irritation and calm the skin.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (est. ≈60.0%), Niacinamide (est. ≈20.0%) and Glycerin (est. ≈4.2%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Significant Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum has a high anti-wrinkle rating of 6.0 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Niacinamide (est. ≈20.0%), 
 one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients. A clinical study involving 30 participants (Kawada et al.) confirmed that a cream with 4% niacinamide reduced the average depth of wrinkles around the eyes by 9% after 8 weeks of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without niacinamide).
 
Among others, Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum also contains Caffeine, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Caffeine provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (est. ≈60.0%) and Niacinamide (est. ≈20.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Skin Soothing and Calming Potential

Based on the ingredient list analysis, Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum is rich (> 5%) in soothing ingredients, particularly Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (est. ≈60.0%) and Niacinamide (est. ≈20.0%).

When applied to the skin, compounds of soothing ingredients, such as triglycerides, phospholipids, fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, work together to soothe the skin through various mechanisms: reducing inflammation, promoting wound healing, repairing the skin barrier, and providing antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 20% + Zinc 4% Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • Delivers signficant anti-wrinkle efficacy thanks to Niacinamide
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
  • Potentially soothing, as it contains a high concentration of soothing ingredients like Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Niacinamide

Cons: 

  • Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
60
20
4.2
4.1
4
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Zinc PCA
Function:
Origin:
Arbutin
Function:
Origin:
1,2-Hexanediol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Allantoin
Function:
Origin:
Caffeine
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Function:
Origin:
Sambucus Nigra Flower
Function:
Origin:
Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
93.9
60
20
4.2
4.1
4
1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 93.9 10
10.0
60
20
4.2
4.1
4
1
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
60
20
4.2
4.1
4
1
0.3
0.3
All humectants 93.9 10
10
All humectants
93.9
60
20
4.2
4.1
4
1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 20 6
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
6
Niacinamide
6
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
20
Caffeine
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
60
20
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 83.1 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
83.1
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
60
Niacinamide
20
Arbutin
1.5
Sodium Hyaluronate
1
Caffeine
0.3
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
60
20
0.3
0.3
All soothing 80.6 5 Rich in soothing
All soothing
80.6
60
20
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Est. %60
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractDerived from Aloe vera leaves, this moisturizing humectant, soothing, and antioxidant extract is commonly used in products targeting eczema, sunburn, or dermatitis. It soothes the skin and reduces the signs of inflammation and sensitivity.
Niacinamide
Est. %20
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Glycerin
Est. %4.2
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Propanediol
Est. %4.1
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Zinc PCA
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Zinc PCAA two-part ingredient: Zinc helps to control sebum and bacteria in acne-prone skin, while skin-identical PCA is a moisturizing humectant. Zinc PCA may even boost collagen production and so is researched as a potential anti-wrinkle ingredient.
Arbutin
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
ArbutinOne of the few potent anti-pigment compounds found naturally in bearberry or cranberry leaves. When applied to the skin, this ingredient converts into hydroquinone, with tyrosinase inhibiting effects.
1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
1,2-HexanediolA multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

Allantoin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
AllantoinA fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Caffeine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CaffeineAn antioxidant compound that is obtained from coffee and tea leaves. It increases the microcirculation of blood in the skin and is claimed to be able to reduce the appearance of orange peel skin (although the research is lacking).
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Camellia Sinensis Leaf
Sambucus Nigra Flower
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sambucus Nigra Flower
Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Leontopodium Alpinum ExtractAn extract from a beautiful alpine plant called Edelweiss. It contains a rare compound called leontopodic acid with antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.