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The 13 Best Niacinamide Serums for Radiant, Healthy Skin
Featuring expert-loved picks from Paula’s Choice, CosRX, and more
There’s a reason why vitamin B3 is so ubiquitous in today’s skincare space. When applied topically, the best niacinamide serums treat our most common inflammatory skin concerns, like acne and hyperpigmentation, while smoothing texture and fine lines and protecting skin from UV damage. The powerhouse multipurpose ingredient is also a must-have among professionals and beauty lovers in the know for playing nicely with retinol and glycolic and hyaluronic acids.
Shop the Best Niacinamide Serums
“It’s one of my favorite ingredients because it does a whole host of great things for the skin,” Courtney Rubin, a dermatologist and the founder and chief medical officer of Fig. 1 Beauty, tells Bazaar. “It evens skin tone, soothes and calms the skin, and reduces excess oil production to curb breakouts. Even better, it’s very gentle and appropriate for those with sensitive skin and those who are pregnant or nursing.”
Ahead, we ask expert dermatologists for their short list of the best niacinamide serums worth adding to any skincare routine. Keep scrolling for a complete shopping guide to the top product favorites, from brands like Naturium and Paula’s Choice, that are ideal for just about every skin type.
Pros
- Under $20
- Dermatologist-tested
- Fragrance-free formula
Cons
- Some reviewers say the serum may pill when worn under makeup
An efficacious serum at an affordable price point, Naturium’s niacinamide serum features a high concentration of niacinamide and zinc in a formula that helps refine the look of enlarged pores. It’s a favorite of Bazaar beauty director Jenna Rosenstein when her skin is breaking out or looking a bit dull.
Customer review: “My skin is so much smoother and my pores look smaller, which is really nice! I’ve been using this with some toner pads from another brand, and it’s done wonders for my skin.” —Allison
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Highly versatile
Cons
- Percentage may be too intensive for sensitive skin
This niacinamide booster serum is available in concentrations of 10 percent or 20 percent, and it helps even skin tone, minimize enlarged pores, and improve skin texture. A benefit of Paula’s Choice’s booster serum is that you can use it on its own or mix its formula together with another serum or moisturizer for supreme skin benefits.
Customer review: “I experimented with both the 10 percent and 20 percent niacinamide formulations, and surprisingly, the 10 percent variant works wonders for my skin. It effectively reduces my pores, especially when paired with the BHA exfoliant. This combination works like magic, contributing to the overall youthfulness of my skin!” —Lily
CosRX Niacinamide 15% Face Serum
Pros
- Contains zinc PCA to reduce breakouts
Cons
- Best for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin
Along with minimizing redness and smoothing skin, CosRX’s top-rated niacinamide serum comes with a dropper top for mess-free application. You’ll only need to use between two and three drops a day to reap its skin-evening benefits.
Customer review: “I’ve been using this every night for a few weeks and I absolutely love it! I have oily skin, large pores, and some rosacea. This controls oil, minimizes the appearance of pores, and gives overall hydration.” —Kayla
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Pros
- Hydrating lightweight formula
Cons
- Those with very sensitive skin may want to apply every other day
At just over $10, this serum from the Ordinary is a great choice for niacinamide beginners and anyone dealing with acne. Its 10 percent niacinamide and zinc concentration treats breakouts without irritating the skin or disrupting the moisture barrier, and it directly targets congestion.
Customer review: “I opted for the Ordinary due to the price and simplicity of ingredients. The labels weren’t packed with a long list of ingredients, and I wanted to know exactly what was going on my skin. Literally within one month of [use] my skin was 90 percent clear, and completely clear within two.” —Chelsie
Pros
Cons
- Over $50
Here’s a niacinamide serum that also combines ingredients like wild nettle and rambutan, a plant-based retinol alternative, to keep skin firm and plump. And if you happen to be on the oily side, this pick can also help keep excess oil in check.
Customer review: “This makes my face look so firm, but not in a pulling way. You just look put together, and it sits beautifully under my cream, which is also Alpyn.” —Véronique P.
Pros
- Great for brightening
Cons
- Over $80
For a serum option that truly does it all, consider this one from YSE Beauty, which combines vitamin C with niacinamide to brighten and rejuvenate dull skin. The skincare cocktail also features azelaic acid to even skin tone, along with hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate and plump your skin.
Customer review: “The thing that I really appreciate about YSE’s Morning Cocktail Vitamin C is its sophisticated formulation that includes niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and squalene. All of these products add hydration while helping to control inflammation.” —Stephanie K.
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Corrector Serum With Niacinamide
Pros
- Noncomedogenic formula
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some reviewers say the serum has a strong scent
Here’s a popular dark-spot corrector from the experts at La Roche-Posay that’s great for treating lingering sun spots, age spots, and post-acne marks. And since the brand is known as a mainstay for those with sensitive skin, thanks to its famed thermal water, the formula is effective yet gentle.
Customer review: “[I’ve] been using this serum for a month and it has been fading [my] acne scars! I like how light it feels on the skin —and it absorbs very quickly.” —Kathy C.
Dr. Barbara Sturm the Better B Niacinamide Serum
Pros
- Aesthetician-approved
- Helps improve radiance
Cons
- Over $100
There’s a reason Dr. Barbara Sturm’s the Better B serum has nearly a perfect five-star rating at Sephora. Ideal for combination skin, the favorite uses vitamin B3 as a key ingredient to refine pores and uneven texture, in addition to provitamin B5 and marine plankton extract to enhance overall hydration while strengthening the skin barrier.
Customer review: “I’ve been using this product for a few months now, and I can’t tell you enough how much I love it! I usually apply it in the morning underneath my face cream. It makes my skin feel absolutely gorgeous. The niacinamide soothes, hydrates, and protects against environmental stressors. My skin has become more even and glowy after just a few days.” —JaneB97
Pros
- Lightweight
- Great for acne control
Cons
- Best for oily and combination skin
Here’s a streamlined niacinamide serum for oily skin that includes only 10 ingredients. The formula aims to reduce excess oil and control shine while reducing redness at the same time. Professionals recommend using the serum in targeted areas where you experience the most oiliness or acne activity, like the T-zone and chin.
Customer review: “Loving it. Very light and not sticky. I got compliments the first day I used it. I will definitely keep this niacinamide serum for the rest of my life. And I actually recommended it to my friends.” —Pedbe23
Pros
- Refillable
- Dermatologist-developed formula
Cons
- Some reviewers say the serum has a strong scent
According to Rubin, Fig. 1 Beauty’s treatment serum houses 4 percent niacinamide in a gentle, hydrating formula. The expert-backed pick also helps improve radiance and reduces the appearance of visible redness in the skin.
Customer review: “The niacinamide treatment is perfect for my dry, sensitive skin! I use it during the day, underneath my moisturizer. Keeps my skin hydrated and soothed!” —Amanda K.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested formula
- Silky gel-serum texture
Cons
- Over $150
If your main skin concern is discoloration caused by sun damage, this top serum is definitely worth the investment. Its combination of ingredients like niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and licorice-root extract helps reduce pronounced dark spots and limits the appearance of new ones.
Customer review: “Melaclear is the only product that has helped me with my dark spots. I’ve tried other dark spot correctors and this is the only one that works. I have recommended it to my friends too.” —Liliana C.
Pros
- Under $30
- Fragrance-free
Cons
Neutrogena’s Niacinamide Serum contains 10 percent niacinamide for ultimate oil control, along with plumping hyaluronic acid to keep your skin looking smooth. It’s also nicely fragrance-free, making it a foolproof daily serum that can be found on the shelf of any local drugstore.
Customer review: “I love that I don’t have to buy two separate products anymore, I have 2-in-1 niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The consistency is quite thin and dries fast.” —Angelica D.
Caudalíe Premier Cru Anti-Aging Serum With Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
Pros
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Over $100
The niacinamide, paired with “skin tightening sugars” and hydrating hyaluronic acid in this elegant formula, gives a firming effect to the skin. We love this for dry skin or mature skin in particular, as the results are nearly immediate.
Customer review: “I absolutely love this serum. The formula as a whole is lightweight, not sticky, and smells lovely. My skin feels hydrated and smooth after use, creating a great base to apply makeup.” —Taylor
Meet the experts
• Courtney Rubin is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder and chief medical officer of Fig.1 Beauty.
• Mona Gohara is a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut.
• Melissa Doft is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City.
• Morgan Rabach is a board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in New York City.
What does a niacinamide serum do?
The better question is, what doesn’t niacinamide serum do? “Topical niacinamide helps epidermal barrier function by reducing transepidermal water loss, thereby keeping the skin moist,” dermatologist Morgan Rabach explains. “It’s an antioxidant that reduces photo carcinogenesis, [a biochemical sequence that leads to skin cancer] and has anti-inflammatory effects in acne and rosacea. It can also help to regulate oil production.”
When shopping for a niacinamide serum, Rabach recommends looking for a 5 and 10 percent concentration. “This range is effective but also gentle for the skin,” Rabach explains. “Look for lightweight serums that absorb quickly into the skin without leaving a residue.” The serums mentioned above are all great options.
Should I use niacinamide serum in the morning or at night?
You can use niacinamide in your morning or evening routine. Doft recommends applying your niacinamide serum to clean, dry skin after washing your face. But if you’re using a separate vitamin C serum, apply niacinamide afterward. “I apply niacinamide after vitamin C because I believe vitamin C, as a more potent antioxidant, should go on first,” dermatologist Mona Gohara adds. “Essentially, I follow an alphabetical order: vitamin C, then niacinamide.”
What’s the difference between niacinamide and vitamin C serums?
They serve different purposes. “Vitamin C has more antioxidant properties, while niacinamide has more anti-inflammatory and protective properties,” explains Gohara. “So they are different but better if used together.”
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