.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "These Are the Best Niacinamide Serums for Brighter, Smoother, and Bouncier Skin")
The hype surrounding niacinamide is every bit well-deserved as the best niacinamide serums offer a host of benefits for the skin, ranging from improved texture to diminished dark spots and cleared-up acne. Skin Medicinals founder Dhaval Bhanusali, the board-certified dermatologist who helped formulate Rhode skin care, sings the ingredient’s praises as a “true all-in-one.”
Vogue’s Favorite Niacinamide Serums
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With its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties, niacinamide doesn’t just soothe and repair the skin—it actively revives it. Not to mention, those with oily skin, or easily-irritated complexions may just find their solution in this multi-tasking skincare ingredient. “For those with more sensitive skin, niacinamide is an excellent alternative to ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to regulate oil production,” board certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch tells Vogue.
Whether you’re battling stubborn dark spots, dealing with acne flare-ups, or seeking to boost overall radiance, this ingredient has got you covered. And the benefits don’t stop there—niacinamide also works as a fantastic ally when layering other active ingredients in your regimen, ensuring your skin not only tolerates but thrives with the combination. Ahead, a look at the best niacinamide serums to consider—plus, everything you need to know about incorporating the sought-after ingredient into your skin-care routine.
Best Overall: Sunday Riley Be Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum
- Why We Love It: Sunday Riley’s brightening serum offers benefits that keep on building, with a high concentration of niacinamide. Within two weeks, oiliness and the appearance of post-acne dark spots can start to fade; after eight weeks, pores, wrinkles, and redness become less noticeable too.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, trans-resveratrol, EGCG
- Best For: Oily, acne-prone skin types
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best with Ectoin: Dr. Barbara Sturm The Better B Niacinamide Serum
- Why We Love It: Dr. Barbara Sturm’s niacinamide serum is equal parts preventative and soothing. The formula blends vitamin B3, ectoin, and amino acids to prevent hyperpigmentation, all while boosting hydration with plankton extract and pathenol. The result? Smoother, more even toned skin.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, ectoin, glycerin, apricot kernel oil, sunflower seed oil, tocopherol
- Best For: Rough texture and enlarged pores
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best Affordable: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum
- Why We Love It: With a potent blend of vitamins and minerals, the serum can lead to a noticeably brighter and smoother complexion in eight weeks. It’s ideal for oily skin, as its zinc-infused formulation helps regulate sebum production.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc PCA
- Best For: Controlling excess oil production
- Size: 2 oz
Best Brightening: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
- Why We Love It: Ideal for oily or combination skin, the oil-free serum effectively treats discoloration and hyperpigmentation by pairing niacinamide (for inflammation reduction) with potent brightening agents like tranexamic and kojic acid.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, hepes
- Best For: Brightening hyperpigmentation and dark spots
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best K Beauty: CosRx The Niacinamide 15 Serum
- Why We Love It: This Korean beauty brand offers a plethora of acne-fighting skincare products for those in pursuit of clear skin—their niacinamide serum remains as one of the brand’s best sellers, and for good reason. The highly concentrated serum features 15% of the star ingredient—the maximum possible dosage—alongside a host of other non-comedogenic ingredients like zinc (for inflammation soothing) and allatoin (to promote skin healing post-acne flare-up).
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc PCA, allantoin, citric acid, tocopherol
- Best For: Acne-prone skin
- Size: 0.67 oz
Best for Mature Skin: iS Clinical Poly-Vitamin Serum
- Why We Love It: iS Clinical remains a fixture on beauty shelves in dermatologist offices and estheticians’ facial spas. The formula here blends vitamin B3 and B5 for radiance, with hyaluronic acid for hydration. Meanwhile sugar cane extract gently exfoliates while antioxidants to signs of aging, for overall more vibrant skin tone and improve elasticity.
- Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide, sugarcane extract, zinc sulfate, pantothenic acid, hydrogenated castor oil, camellia sinensis leaf extract, tocopherol, retinol
- Best For: Revitalizing aging skin tone and texture
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best with Peptides: M-61 PowerGlow Pro+ Niacinamide+Neuropeptide Serum
- Why We Love It: Equal parts glow booster and resurfacing serum, with a blend of neuropeptides, glycolic, salicylic and lactic acids for high impact exfoliation. Best of all, the formula is fragrance free, dermatologist-tested, and hypoallergenic. Though make sure to skip this serum if you plan to get sun-drenched this summer—AHAs can increase sun sensitivity.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, salicylic acid, lactic acid, lactic acid/glycolic acid copolymer, lavender flower water, witch hazel water, allantoin, glycerin
- Best For: Intense exfoliation
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best for Radiance: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum
- Why We Love It: Powered by the patented ingredient Melasyl, the radiance-boosting serum combats stubborn discoloration from age spots, sun spots, liver spots, and more. Along with 10% niacinamide, it’s also infused with thermal spring water, which nourishes the skin with antioxidants.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, Melasyl, La-Roche Posay thermal spring water
- Size: 1 oz
Best Gentle Formula: Glossier Super Pure
- Why We Love It: The water-weight, dermatologist-tested serum draws on the benefits of zinc and niacinamide to provide skin with improved clarity and texture with a super gentle formulation; it also has a blurring effect on pores.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc PCA
- Best For: Sensitive skin types
- Size: 1 fl oz
Best Spot Treatment: Dr. Idriss Major Fade Hyper Serum Dark Spot Treatment
- Why We Love It: Dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss’s Major Fade Hyper Serum has an instantly illuminating effect on the skin, including dark undereye circles. Over time, its blend of niacinamide, alpha arbutin, and kojic and gallic acid promises to brighten stubborn dark spots.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, kojic acid, alpha arbutin, diglucosyl gallic acid
- Best For: Targeted hyperpigmentation treatment
- Size: 0.96 oz
Best With Vitamin C: Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum
- Why We Love It: In addition to harnessing the soothing, inflammation-taming powers of niacinamide, Eadem’s silky serum has vitamin C to brighten the skin and boost collagen production. Powered by SmartMelanin technology, this is specifically formulated for melanin-rich skin.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, amber algae, licorice root, papaya and pineapple enzymes, vitamin C
- Best For: Combination to oily skin types
- Size: 1.01 fl oz
Best Serum-Cream: Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration
- Why We Love It: Developed for sensitive and acne-prone skin, Topicals’s serum-cream can contribute to a brighter, more even complexion after four weeks of regular use. Use it as a spot treatment or wherever you’re experiencing discoloration.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, azeliac acid, licorice root extract, centella asiatica
- Best For: Acne-prone skin
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Oily Skin: Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency 5.0% Niacinamide Serum
- Why We Love It: With a 5% concentration of niacinamide, Kiehl’s glow-boosting serum instantly absorbs excess oil and rebalances the complexion. It can be used all over the face or in targeted areas to treat breakouts.
- Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, propanediol, methyl gluceth-20
- Best For: Oily skin types
- Size: 1 fl oz
Everything You Need To Know
“Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and a very powerful antioxidant,” says board-certified dermatologist Margarita Lolis. “It keeps your skin healthy by fighting against environmental insults.” Ashley Magovern, board-certified dermatologist and medical advisor for Dermstore, adds: “Niacinamide serums tend to be geared toward fighting or treating problems like acne, rosacea, and pigmentation.”
Who is a niacinamide serum for?
Dr. Lolis describes niacinamide as “wonderful for all skin types,” including oily and acne prone. “I love recommending it to all my patients, whether they’re looking for an antiaging serum or something to improve their acne, rosacea, or pigmentation,” Dr. Magovern says.
What are the benefits of using niacinamide in a skin-care routine?
“Niacinamide has so many uses—anyone can benefit from adding it to their daily routine,” Dr. Magovern adds. “It helps to prevent and repair sun damage and can improve pigmentation.” It can also treat redness and acne, as it helps control oil production and has anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, according to Dr. Lolis, niacinamide can boost collagen production to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
How To Choose a Niacinamide Serum
“With niacinamide, the percentage and purpose are important,” says Dr. Bhanusali. He breaks down the different concentrations of the ingredient and how they work.
- Percentage: The percentage of niacinamide impacts its efficacy for skin.
- 1 to 2%: “We tend to use 1 to 2% niacinamide in formulas to help calm the skin and support the barrier,” says Dr. Bhanusali.
- 5 to 6%: “At higher concentrations of 5 to 6%, niacinamide is commonly used to help with hyperpigmentation,” he continues. “At these levels, it has also been shown to help with fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve texture.”
- 6 to 10%: Some niacinamide serums have higher concentrations of 10% or even more. Higher doses of the ingredient do offer some benefits, Dr. Bhanusali says, but he recommends them less frequently as they can be irritating.
- Texture: In terms of texture, Dr. Lolis recommends looking for a lightweight, quick-to-absorb serum that won’t leave any residue or pill.
- Ingredients: Unlike certain ingredients that are most effective on their own, niacinamide can be used in conjunction with a host of other actives, hydrators, or antioxidants for improved results. “I love combining ingredients because the more mechanisms of action to combat a specific skin concern, the better and more successful you will be,” Dr. Magovern says. “Most ingredients pair well with niacinamide, and this speaks to why it is such a superstar ingredient. You can pair it with other skin-lightening ingredients like kojic acid or azelaic acid or use it as a soothing ingredient with your retinol. It even pairs great with AHAs. It can be added to other antioxidants like vitamin C, resveratrol, or green-tea e
- Dhaval Bhanusali, MD FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist, researcher, and laser surgeon based in New York City. He is also the founder of the telehealth platform Skin Medicinals.
- Noah Gratch, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in treatments for acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis, rosacea, psoriasis, and skin cancer.
- Margarita Lolis, MD is a board-certified and fellowship-trained dermatologist and Mohs surgeon specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology at Schweiger Dermatology Group
- Ashley Magovern, MD is a board-certified dermatologist and the medical advisor for Dermstore.