Should I move from 5% Niacinamide to 10%? 23M with oily, acne-prone skin.

Hi everyone, I’m a 23-year-old male with oily and acne-prone skin, and I wanted to get some advice from people who have experience with niacinamide and chemical exfoliants. For the past month, I’ve been using Minimalist Niacinamide 5% serum in my routine. The thing is, I haven’t noticed any major improvements yet. At the same time, I also haven’t experienced any irritation, breakouts, or negative reactions from it. Because of that, I’m now wondering if I should upgrade to a 10% niacinamide serum. I’ve seen options like: • Minimalist Niacinamide 10% • The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc

But I’m confused about a few things:

1. Is moving from 5% to 10% actually worth it? Has anyone noticed better oil control, smaller pores, or acne improvement after switching?

2. Are there any downsides to 10%? I’ve read that higher concentrations of niacinamide can sometimes cause irritation or breakouts for some people.

3. Is one brand better than the other? Between Minimalist and The Ordinary, is there any real difference in performance or formulation?

4. I’m also considering trying Minimalist AHA BHA 30% peeling solution occasionally (maybe twice a month) to help with pigmentation and overall skin texture. For those who have used it: • Did it actually help with pigmentation or acne marks? • Is it safe for someone with oily, acne-prone skin?

My current concern is mainly oiliness, occasional acne, and some pigmentation/marks from past breakouts. Would love to hear your experiences, especially from people who have similar oily or acne-prone skin.

Thanks in advance!