Niacinamide Serums That Actually Work

What Is Niacinamide?

“Niacinamide is a derivative of B3 vitamin and a highly effective, multi-tasking antioxidant,” board-certified dermatologist Margarita Lolis describes. “It keeps skin in good health by fighting environmental stressors.” Board-certified dermatologist and Dermstore medical advisor Ashley Magovern adds: “Niacinamide serums are typically formulated to fight or treat conditions like acne, rosacea, and pigmentation.”

Available in a 2 to 20 percent concentration, it is suitable for almost all skin types and contains anti-inflammatory compounds that have a plethora of advantages.

“A high-quality, safe niacinamide serum can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, brighten the complexion of the skin, and assist in cultivating hydration in the skin,” says celebrity esthetician Nerida Joy, who has been serving Jennifer Garner as a client since 1999.

Fast Facts About Niacinamide

Skin type: If you have oily skin, apply a light water-based formula that penetrates the skin and avoid those that leave a residue of excess shine and oil. If you have dry skin, apply a formula containing moisturizing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
Skin concern: Need to boost radiance and even out the complexion? Something with added vitamin C or brightening pigments might do the trick. Need to fight acne and blemishes? Added soothing ingredients like zinc and allantoin could be the solution.
Concentration: If products specify it, Dr. Gonzalez advises 4 to 5% concentration of niacinamide. If it is not specified, if it appears in one of the first few ingredients of the list, then it is likely to be an effective concentration.

For Whom Is a Niacinamide Serum?

Dr. Lolis describes niacinamide as “wonderful for all skin types” – including oily and acne-prone skin. “I love to prescribe it to all of my patients, whether they want an antiaging serum or a product for their acne, rosacea, or pigmentation,” Dr. Magovern explains.

What Are the Benefits of Adding Niacinamide to a Skin-Care Routine?

“Niacinamide offers so many uses and benefits—anyone can add it to their routine,” continues Dr. Magovern. “It will treat and prevent sun damage and can improve pigmentation.” It has anti-inflammatory properties to treat acne and redness, as it helps control oil production. Furthermore, niacinamide has been proven to increase collagen production, blurring fine lines and wrinkles, according to Dr. Lolis.

- - - - Tones skin
        Improves skin texture
        Reduces inflammation
        Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
        Helps clear acne
        Reduces oil production
        Improves lipid barrier
        Fades hyperpigmentation

What to Check for in a Niacinamide Serum?

“When using niacinamide, purpose and percentage are crucial,” according to Dr. Bhanusali. He discusses the varying concentrations of the product and how they work to achieve various effects.

Percentage:

The range of Niacinamide concentrations is typically 2 to 10 percent, though a few products contain up to 12 to 20 percent — but more always doesn’t mean better in this case.

Niacinamide serums containing less than 5 percent would be more favorable in avoiding possible skin inflammation and irritation.

The percentage of niacinamide determines its effectiveness on the skin.

1 to 2%: “We prefer to mix up 1 to 2% niacinamide in products in order to calm the skin and fortify the barrier,” indicates Dr. Bhanusali.
5 to 6%: “At 5 to 6% concentrations, niacinamide is typically used to help with hyperpigmentation,” he continues. “At those concentrations, it has also been shown to help with fine lines, wrinkles, texture.”.
6 to 10%: Some niacinamide serums have higher concentrations of 10% or even more. The ingredient’s higher dose does offer some advantages, according to Dr. Bhanusali, but he would prescribe them less often because they are irritating.

Texture:

Texture-wise, Dr. Lolis recommends looking for a light, quick-drying serum that doesn’t pill or leave a residue.

Ingredients:

While some ingredients are better on their own, niacinamide can be combined with all sorts of other actives, hydration, or antioxidants to give it an extra kick. “I love to pair different ingredients together because the more mechanisms of action to target a certain skin concern, the better and more effective you will be,” says Dr. Magovern. “Most ingredients pair well with niacinamide, and this is why it’s such a superstar ingredient. You can combine it with other skin-lightening actives, such as kojic acid or azelaic acid, or use it as a soothing ingredient with your retinol. It even gets along with AHAs. You can combine it with other antioxidants such as vitamin C, resveratrol, or green tea extract.” Dr. Lolis adds that niacinamide even pairs well with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and zinc.

Your routine definitely needs niacinamide.

Of course, there is merit in a maximalist, 15-step skincare routine, but we’re betting that most individuals want to get the job done as quickly and effectively as possible. So, if you’re attempting to achieve the skin of your dreams with minimal effort, a niacinamide serum is a must-have in the equation. According to Blair Murphy-Rose, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skincare Junkie, “Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B that has been proved to reverse and prevent signs of skin aging, reduce hyperpigmentation, brighten and smooth skin, minimized the visibility of pores, and hydrate and support the skin barrier.”

Are you having any complexion problems? The chances are that niacinamide (a vitamin B3 derivative) is the solution—it can do, well, much of anything and everything. Board-certified dermatologist Annie Gonzalez, M.D. believes “Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient” that’s especially great for people with all types of acne, hyperpigmentation; and people who want to minimize wrinkles and lines. It’s also mild enough for sensitive skin, so it’s an absolute must-have in almost any beauty kit.

What to Keep in Mind?

Skin Problem: You’re noticing niacinamide everywhere today for a reason—it’s a fantastic multitasker. “It can address oil control, barrier function, aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, and eczema,” says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., FAAD, and continues that this multitasking formula also calms redness and offers free radical protection. “It’s great for improving tone and texture.”

With regular use of a good niacinamide serum, you can expect smoother, clearer, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin that stays hydrated longer, is less prone to irritation, and has fewer visible pores.

Now that you realize that niacinamide can do all of this on its own, you’re going to pick a serum that includes niacinamide based on the other ingredients in the formula. Even if you do have some particular concerns in your mind that you’d like to address, it doesn’t hurt to visit a dermatologist who can give you tips on the best way to achieve your skin goals. “If you don’t have particular issues, then a moisturizing and hydrating serum would be a good place to start,” adds Dr. King.

Supporting Ingredients

As a general rule, as Dr. King describes, niacinamide is an easy addition to any regimen, as it complements well with most other ingredients. Co-founder of the podcast Chemist Confessions and cosmetic chemist Victoria Fu says, “The ingredient has been tested in combination with many of the major skincare actives such retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), and vitamin C, and found to be safe and effective.” If you want to support your skin barrier, experts advise seeking humectants such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, ceramides, and panthenol.

Look for the best-supporting ingredients and what they will do for you below that align with your skincare goals.

Anti-aging

“Niacinamide and retinol are a great combination that can minimize retinol-induced irritation while maximizing skin-brightening effects,” says Fu.

Discoloration: Either a single or a combination of multiple brightening agents, including tranexamic acid, vitamin C, diglucosyl gallic acid, or kojic acid, gently exfoliates while niacinamide rebalances the skin barrier.

Acne

“Zinc is usually paired with niacinamide to clear acne and inflammation as it has soothing sebum-regulating properties,” explains Dr. Murphy-Rose.

Concentration

Serums on our list have niacinamide concentrations of up to 20 percent, but Fu thinks more is not always more. “There isn’t any testing that shows that using niacinamide in higher concentrations would provide you with more benefits,” she says. Instead, she suggests formulas in two to five percent concentrations; don’t let the low concentration fool you; they’re still extremely powerful and will inundate skin with all of the niacinamide’s legendary benefits.

For rosacea or extremely sensitive skin, Dr. Murphy-Rose takes an extra step of caution and recommends keeping it below three percent. “I can say anecdotally that five percent is too much for a lot of people,” she explains. “A high enough concentration of niacinamide in a serum can be irritating to the skin, lead to redness, and cause burning.”

But Fu also notes that cosmetic chemists love formulating new skincare with niacinamide because it’s so easy to pair with other actives and is generally well tolerated by most skin types. On the other hand, niacinamide makes its way into a staggering number of products so that you may be—unknowingly—layering way, way too much on your skin.

“If you suddenly feel irritation without changing your regimen all that much, definitely take a quick scan over all your products’ ingredient listings to see if you’re unknowingly layering five or more different products containing niacinamide,” she recommends. If you are overdoing it, simplify your regimen and save the highest concentrations for every other day use.

Formula Texture

Thicker than water-feeling but cloudy-appearing, niacinamide is easily adaptable to use in anything from gels to creams to water formulas. Fu explains that while most active ingredients have their quirks, making texture crucial for achieving desired skin benefits, niacinamide is an exception.

“Light, watery, or gel-form products may be better for oily and acne skin as they are quickly penetrating and not leaving any additional oil,” continues Dr. Murphy-Rose. Conversely, “thicker and more opaque products have higher emollient content,” Dr. King explains. “Emollients are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier and are appropriate for any skin type, and particularly appropriate for more dry and sensitive skin types.”

Skin Reactivity

Specialists agree: Niacinamide serum is great to use on all skin types, but recommend a 5 percent concentration if you have sensitive skin or any type of condition like eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis. But if you want to reduce dark spots or wrinkles, you may require a concentration greater than 5 percent.

Top Picks for Glowing Skin!

It will not be a surprise that because this ingredient can accomplish so much, niacinamide is now one of the most well-known ingredients found in skin care products today. You do not, however, need to browse through all of the niacinamide serums out there for the best—here’s the list.

Sunday Riley Be Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum

NORDSTROM – $65
AMAZON – $55
DERMSTORE – $65

Why we adore it: Sunday Riley’s brightening serum offers cumulative benefits that keep on building. After two weeks, oiliness and the noticeable appearance of post-acne dark spots can start to fade; pores, wrinkles, and redness diminish at eight weeks.
ingredients: Niacinamide, trans-resveratrol, EGCG
Size: 1 fluid ounce

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

SKINCEUTICALS – $110
DERMSTORE – $110

Why we love it: Ideal for combination or oily skin, the oil-free serum can do wonders for hyperpigmentation and discoloration if paired with niacinamide with powerful brightening agents like tranexamic and kojic acid. And the best part? It reduces inflammation, too.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, hepes
Size: 1 fluid ounce

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Hue Drops

SEPHORA – $35

Why we love it: Glow Recipe’s tinted serum leaves a subtle hydrated glow on any part of the skin it brushes across, and it glides over with a light bronzing. In the long term, it can help to achieve a more evened-out complexion and reduced appearance of pores. This serum features centella asiatica that helps to maintain skin balance and calmness throughout.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, watermelon
Size:35 ounces

The Ordinary serum has 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc.

NORDSTROM – $20

Why we love it: With a potent blend of vitamins and minerals, the serum can lead to a visibly smoother, brighter face complexion in eight weeks. It’s ideal for oily skin, as its zinc-enriched formula regulates sebum production.
Ingredients: Zinc PCA, Niacinamide
Size: 2 ounces

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum

AMAZON – $45
ULTA Beauty – $34

Why we love it: Powered with patented ingredient Melasyl, which fights long-term discoloration caused by age spots, sun spots, liver spots, and more. Other than 10% niacinamide, it also has thermal spring water, which nourishes the skin with antioxidants.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, Melasyl, La-Roche Posay thermal spring water
Size: 1 ounce

Glossier Super Pure

GLOSSIER – $32
SEPHORA – $32

Why we love it: Water-weight, dermatologist-approved serum leverages the power of zinc and niacinamide to improve the skin’s texture and clarity, and it also has a blurring effect on pores.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc PCA
Size: 1 fluid ounce

Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 5.0% Niacinamide Serum

NORDSTROM – $35
AMAZON – $35

Why we love it: With 5% niacinamide, Kiehl’s radiance-boosting serum instantly absorbs excess oil and evening the complexion. Use it all over the face or where the breakouts are calling for it.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, propanediol, methyl gluceth-20
Size: 1 fluid ounce

Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum

EADEM – $68

Why we love it: In addition to harnessing the soothing, inflammation-protective powers of niacinamide, Eadem’s silky serum also incorporates vitamin C to brighten the complexion and stimulate collagen production. Backed by SmartMelanin technology, this is formulated for melanin-rich skin.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, papaya, pineapple enzymes, amber algae, vitamin C, and licorice root.
Size:01 fluid ounces

Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration

AMAZON – $38
SEPHORA – $38

Why we love it: Formulated for acne skin and sensitive skin, Topicals’s serum cream can give you a brighter, more balanced complexion in four weeks of consistent use. Use as a spot treatment or where dark spots are a problem.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, centella asiatica, azeliac acid, licorice root extract, and tranexamic acid.
Size:7 ounces

Dr. Idriss Major Fade Hyper Serum Dark Spot Treatment

IDRISS – $68

Why we love it: Dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss’s Major Fade Hyper Serum provides an instant lightening effect, including dark circles, under the eyes. With consistent use, its blend of niacinamide, alpha arbutin, and kojic and gallic acid promises to fade stubborn dark spots.
Ingredients: Niacinamide, kojic acid, alpha arbutin, diglucosyl gallic acid
Size:96 ounces

FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the right way to use niacinamide serum?

Fu claims that niacinamide serums are typically water-based, which gives the consistency a lightweight, somewhat thicker-than-water feel. Therefore, it should be used first in your skin care regimen after washing your face (and toning, if you want to). Layering your products from lightest to heaviest guarantees proper absorption of all your actives; if you lay a water-based serum on top of oil, it won't be able to pass through. "Apply a few drops to the face and neck, then gently pat it into the skin until fully absorbed. Then apply the next steps in your routine," advises Dr. Murphy-Rose.

When to use niacinamide serum?

Fu advises; You can use niacinamide both day and night since it is not known to cause any photosensitivity." It is also not light sensitive; hence, UV exposure will not cause the ingredient to be rendered inactive. Remember that if you apply your niacinamide serum in the morning, don't forget to complete your regimen with SPF; you don't want to undo all your efforts of preventing sun damage. You are in good company if you want to save niacinamide for evening use. "I especially like applying it at night with a retinoid since it can help offset the dryness and irritation that retinoids can induce," reveals Dr King.

Is daily use of niacinamide serum appropriate?

"It does not tend to cause irritation, redness, inflammation; so as long as you're using the right concentration, results will be improved with regular use," Dr. King states of the ingredient. Start low and work your way up; most people won't need a formula with a concentration above five percent.

What should not be combined with niacinamide?

With niacinamide, theoretically, you can combine any of your preferred active ingredients. Dr Murphy-Rose says, though, that niacinamide is most stable in a higher pH formula, so it might not be an ideal match for ingredients like vitamin C that tend to be formulated into products with an acidic pH. "Although not dangerous, if niacinamide and ascorbic acid are combined in the same product, their effectiveness may drop," she says. If unsure, Dr. King advises using your niacinamide serum at night and your vitamin C serum in the morning.

What skin types are they suitable for? Who should avoid them?

"Virtually all skin types" can benefit from niacinamide serums," adds Dr Khana, who advises people who might have a rare allergy to the ingredient to avoid it.

While almost everyone benefits from niacinamides, the concentration level you look for should reflect the sensitivity of your skin.

Not all niacinamide formulas are equal, and definitely, less is more! Stay with selecting a niacinamide concentration of less than 5 percent, as so many individuals today have more sensitive skin due to stronger at-home modalities available, chemical exfoliants, and our ever-changing environment.