17 best niacinamide serums 2024 to soothe inflammation & brighten your complexion
If you're on the lookout for a gentle skincare product that addresses a multitude of skincare concerns, niacinamide serums could be just the ticket. For the uninitiated, niacinamide is an active skincare ingredient that can A) brighten, B) control oil, C) soothe inflammation and D) even out your skin tone. Oh, and it has also been proven to help boost your skin's natural collagen production. In short, it's officially up there in the Big League alongside the likes of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and retinol – and just about every skin type can benefit from using it.
We're willing to bet that at least one of your go-to moisturisers, eye creams or toners already contains niacinamide – but to reap the benefits tenfold, the best niacinamide serums contain the active in its most concentrated form. Here's everything you need to know.
Meet the expert:
- Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.
Best niacinamide serums 2024 at a glance:
- Best Oerall: Clarity Peptides 10% Niacinamide-Infused Peptide Serum, £45
- The Runner-Up: Paula's Choice Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment, £50
- Best Affordable: Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%, £18
- Best Brightening: Byoma Brightening Serum, £12.99
“Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, a multitasking antioxidant that can help soothe and hydrate the skin, reverse the signs of aging, lighten dark spots and redness as well as reduce inflammation — which may benefit conditions like acne and rosacea,” explains Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut.
Plus, it also plays well with other actives. “Niacinamide is a soothing ingredient, so it can help make an exfoliating ingredient or product more tolerable to sensitive skin, allowing you to use it more frequently and see the benefits of it,” she says. “Because of these properties, it pairs well with retinols and alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs.”
Thought that was it? Nope. Niacinamide can also enhance the hydrating benefits of humectants — think hyaluronic acid and glycerin — so it’s a winner in moisturisers, too. “It works by preventing evaporation of moisture from the skin into the environment,” Dr. Robinson explains; in other words, it helps supplement the skin barrier. You can also find it in cleansers and toners, although she prefers facial serums for their higher rate of absorption.
Heads up: to maximise the benefits of niacinamide, sunscreen is essential, so make sure you follow up your serum with a product that has at least SPF 30, which is the minimum amount recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Simply apply a few drops to the palm of your hand morning and evening, apply after cleansing and toning, and follow with moisturiser. Bottom line: There’s no reason not to slot this powerhouse topical ingredient into your skincare routine, stat.
Looking to take your skincare routine to the next level? Check out our guides for the best eye creams, best vitamin C serums, best moisturisers and the best cleansers with salicylic acid.
Read on to discover best niacinamide serums for every preference and skin type
Best niacinamide serum overall
Medik8 Clarity Peptides 10% Niacinamide-Infused Peptide Serum
Why we love it: Science-backed skincare brand Medik8 are pioneers of cutting-edge product technologies in skincare. Formulated to rescue blemish-prone and dull skin, it promises to serve up “visibly perfected, glass-like skin when you need it most.” The 10% niacinamide inclusion calms and soothes redness, blemishes and blotchy skin, while the inclusion of hyaluronic acid promotes hydrated, supple skin, and Zinc PCA helps to regulate oil production and promote the skin’s natural healing process.
- Pros: Suitable for all skin types, absorbs really quickly, a lovely milky texture, works like a dream with the brand's Sleep Glycolic treatment.
- Cons: Nothing to note, other than the fact you're about to get hooked on Medik8.
Best multi-tasking niacinamide serum
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Why we love it: The Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment contains an impressive 20% concentration is our favourite multi-tasking ingredient which – compared with other formulations on the market – is impressively high. The result? More even skin texture, fewer visible pores and a brighter complexion. The hero ingredient of niacinamide is complemented by an antioxidant blend of vitamin C and liquorice extract, purslane and acetyl glucosamine to further illuminate your skin.
- Pros: High concentration for an accessible price point. Many reviewers reported it to help acne scaring.
- Cons: May be too harsh for really sensitive skin.
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Best affordable niacinamide serum
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
Why we love it: A super hydrating niacinamide serum which feels wonderfully moisturising (and acts as a lovely base for makeup), Naturium's Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, pores and uneven skin tone. Many reviewers reported that it effectively helped with complaints like cheek redness, neck spots and hyperpigmentation caused by previous cystic acne.
- Pros: It doesn't contain any fragrance, gluten or parabens. Those with sensitive skin found it to be gentle.
- Cons: Some reviewers with darker skin reported that it left a chalk-like cast on their skin which means they couldn't use it alone.
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Best niacinamide serum for strengthening the skin barrier
Why we love it: Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you'll have spotted Gen-Z skincare brand Byoma ~trending~ across Instagram and TikTok. They're the new kid on the skincare block, all about bringing your skin barrier back on track – and knowing exactly what you're applying to your complexion. Products have ingredients and their main functions printed on the side (and in detail on the website), alongside the recycling instructions, so you know exactly what's what.
In this case: a unique blend of barrier boosting tri-ceramide complexes, hyaluronic acid and the famed niacinamide to hydrate your skin, strengthen its barriers and protect itself against environmental stressors.
- Pros: Easy to use and looks great on your bathroom cabinet. Absorbs quickly. Consistency is hydrating.
- Cons: You might get through the 30ml bottle quickly.
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- Courtesy of brand
Best niacinamide serum for dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Why we love it: Niacinamide is best known as a brightening ingredient. (It interferes with the transfer of melanin, or pigment, in the skin — meaning any melanin created from sun exposure or inflammation doesn’t make it to your skin’s surface). This particular serum puts that feature to work to deliver anti-ageing benefits, reducing the number, size, and colour of dark spots, sun spots, and other types of discolouration. (And since it’s an antioxidant, it’ll also keep free radicals from further damaging skin). Plus, it also offers hyaluronic acid with the brand’s soothing thermal water to keep skin calm.
- Pros: The texture is lightweight and easy to massage in.
- Cons: The fragrance can be a bit much.
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Best luxury niacinamide serum
Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum
Why we love it: Ideal for use over the face, neck and décolleté, Sunday Riley's niacinamide serum is suitable for all skin types and is formulated to encourage a more even, brighter complexion. The niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of pores and calm redness and blemishes, while the brightenyl, a biotechnologically created molecule, helps brighten the skin and soothe sensitivity. It also includes powerful antioxidants trans-resveratrol and EGCG: both of which protect the skin from the impacts of stress and pollution. Dark spots, be gone.
- Pros: Cruelty-free, visibly fights the signs of ageing.
- Cons: Some reviewers with dry skin reported that it dried their skin out a bit too much.
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Best niacinamide serum for reducing the appearance of pores
Beauty Pie Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide (10%) Serum
Why we love it: For brighter, clearer and softer skin, Beauty Pie's niacinamide serum is a God-send, formulated with 10% Niacinamide, 2% Oxygeskin and 3% Evermat (an ingredient which visibly reduces the appearance of pores). Niacinamide helps the strengthen the skin’s barrier and promote elasticity, Oxygeskin promotes glow and radiance, and the addition of antioxidant Hydroxyacetophenone allows the serum to soothe your skin.
- Pros: It works well when layered under another serum. It's lightweight. It's much cheaper if you're a Beauty Pie member.
- Cons: Quite expensive if you're not a Beauty Pie member.
Best niacinamide serum for gentle exfoliation
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum
Why we love it: Best applied daily (and always under an SPF when applying in the morning), the SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum uses 5% niacinamide alongside anti-inflammatory 1.8% Tranexamic Acid and 5% HEPES – or Sulfonic Acid, which provides gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells – to minimise the appearance of discolouration, from scaring to dark spots.
- Pros: The pipette applicator makes dispensing the correct amount of product easy.
- Cons: Expensive.
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Best hydrating niacinamide serum
The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum
Why we love it: Balanced, hydrated skin for under £10? This serum makes it possible. It contains 10% niacinamide to manage oil production, as well as 1% hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. The duo leaves skin softer, plumper, and less shiny in a matter of seconds.
- Pros: It's gentle enough for sensitive types.
- Cons: The straightforward bottle makes it hard to control how much you dispense.
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- Courtesy of brand
Best niacinamide serum for glowy skin
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Why we love it: Sure, it's a serum, but it's also a highlighter. It deploys niacinamide, amino-acid-rich watermelon, and hydrating hyaluronic acid for long-term hydration and brightening benefits, while its sheen gives skin a dewy glow for instant brightness. Thanks to those two functions, you can use it as a typical face serum or apply it over makeup as a highlighter.
- Pros: The versatile formula gives you multiple ways to use it.
- Cons: It's not ideal for a matte makeup look.
Enjoy savings when shopping for niacinamide serums using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
- Courtesy of brand
Best niacinamide serum for acne-prone skin
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Why we love it: Another combo of zinc and niacinamide (but with double the concentration of the latter compared with the Glossier serum), this blend does it all. While it helps clarify skin and address blemishes — since it decreases oil production — it can work to reduce the appearance of acne scars too. It's also been shown to actually support the skin barrier, in case you're worried about potential irritation.
- Pros: It can work wonders for uneven skin textures.
- Cons: It might cause redness.
Best fast-absorbing niacinamide serum
Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide
Why we love it: As with all science-backed Kiehl's products, this facial serum has been formulated without much fuss. Yep: its ingredient list features just 10 items, which means you're only applying what you really need to. It's also suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin. Key benefits? Think: minimised shine, a calmer complexion, reduced redness and reduced scarring. The key ingredient is, of course, niacinamide, but it also contains water, glycerin, propanediol, methyl gluceth-20, hydroxyacetophenone, sodium hyaluronate, caprylyl glycol, carbomer and sodium hydroxide.
- Pros: You can layer it with other serums as needed.
- Cons: Some reviewers reported that it left their skin feeling a little tacky.
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Best niacinamide serum for oily skin
Glossier Super Pure Niacinamide + Zinc Serum
Why we love it: Blemishes don't stand a chance against the combo of niacinamide and zinc PCA. Not only does niacinamide have the ability to control excess sebum production (add it to the list!), but the zinc PCA also keeps pores clear and clog-free sans dryness. (That means it'll help with breakouts too.) The cruelty-free formula also has a weightless water-gel texture that sinks in on the spot, so you won’t be left with any residue or heavy feel.
- Pros: Application is easy, and it won't pill.
- Cons: It may be too harsh for sensitive skin types.
Best K-beauty niacinamide serum
Why we love it: When it comes to beauty and wellness products, arguably no country does it better than South Korea – and this serum is a prime example. Formulated for sensitive, acne-prone and blemish-prone skin, this serum addresses multiple skin concerns and contains niacinamide and propolis extract, the latter of which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Pros: Great for minimising breakouts and reducing dullness.
- Cons: Has a stickier consistency than other alternatives.
Best niacinamide serum for “glazed donut” skin
Rhode Skin Peptide Glazing Fluid
Why we love it: This lightweight and fast-absorbing gel-serum is the secret to Hailey Bieber's dewy, glowing skin. It's fragrance-free and carries a healthy concentration of niacinamide as well as a blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid and marula oil that help lock in hydration. So good, you can confidently wave goodbye to dullness.
- Pros: Suitable for all skin types, absorbs into the skin very quickly.
- Cons: May result in patchy makeup application.
Best premium niacinamide serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Better B Niacinamide Serum
Why we love it: We all love a bit of Dr. Barbara Sturm. This advanced formulation is powered by a range of potent ingredients, including vitamin B5, amino acids and plankton (yes, really). Overall, it's a great option for mature skin and a very soothing product that helps protect your skin from hyperpigmentation while aiding hydration. What's not to love about this niacinamide booster?
- Pros: Highly effective and full of quality ingredients.
- Cons: Expensive.
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Best niacinamide serum for oily skin
COSRX Niacinamide 15% Face Serum
Why we love it: Looking to trade your oily complexion for glowy radiance instead? Not to worry, COSRX has you covered. Powered by niacinamide and zinc, this product helps improve your skin texture while minimising enlarged pores and reducing the appearance of dark spots.
- Pros: Targets enlarged pores and excess oil.
- Cons: Sensitive skin types may experience irritation.
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