I've Been Flooded With Compliments on My "Buttery" Skin Since Using This One Expert-Approved Product
For clearer skin, more refined pores and an even skin tone, these are the best niacinamide serums to add to your routine.
To know me is to know that I have had a very tumultuous relationship with my skin, and I don't take my giving of skincare advice lightly, particularly when it comes to niacinamide serums. Let me explain: In my mid-twenties, my previously clear, plump, glowing complexion took a turn for the worse. I developed hormonal acne; I started noticing dark spots developing on my forehead, my oil production went into overdrive, my pore-minimising primers couldn't handle their job and post-breakout scarring became a real issue.
Since then, I have spent seven years trying to reclaim my previous complexion, and I can count on one hand the number of genuine compliments I have had in relation to my skin throughout that time. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that if you have skin issues right now, I get it, and I will never be frivolous with my handing out of advice as a result. So believe me when I say that the single best thing a skin expert has recommended was to introduce a niacinamide serum into my daily skincare routine.
Despite the fact that I have long considered niacinamide one of the best ingredients for my skin, it has only been for the past six months or so that I have stuck to my daily niacinamide serum application religiously. I had previously dabbled in niacinamide application, but it wasn't until one of my go-to facialists seriously recommended it to me last summer that I really stuck with it for a prolonged period.
The result? Clearer skin, refined pores, faded scarring and a generally healthier-looking, more glowing complexion. In fact, for the first time in years, I have been receiving compliments on my skin—and by the bucketload, too. Just ten minutes before I sat down to write this story, a colleague pulled me aside to say how great my skin has been looking recently. So what exactly do niacinamide serums do, and why might you need one? I've asked the experts to clear things up.
What Is Niacinamide?
Let's start with the basics. "Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3," says Dr Shendy Engelina, consultant dermatologist and clinical service lead at Dermatica. "As a water-soluble vitamin, the body cannot produce it on its own, so we typically need to obtain it through our diet or skincare. Niacinamide is a key component in many treatments and can address a wide range of skin concerns, from acne to signs of skin ageing and everything in between."
What Are the Benefits of Using a Niacinamide Serum?
For the most part, niacinamide is considered to be a bit of a wonder skincare ingredient amongst experts. "Niacinamide has several skin benefits, including minimising pore size, evening skin tone and diminishing dullness, fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide also works to reduce inflammation and redness," says Dr Alexis Granite, consultant dermatologist and founder of Joonbyrd.
Due to its impressive anti-inflammatory properties, Dr Engelina says that niacinamide is particularly effective at reducing the appearance of skin conditions "such as acne, rosacea and eczema". Notably, niacinamide is also considered a somewhat effective ingredient at reducing the appearance of inflammation-related scarring and post-breakout marks.
"Niacinamide is well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive, dry, oily and combination skin. Additionally, it’s gentle enough to be used alongside other active ingredients without irritating," adds Dr Engelina.
What Are the Disadvantages of Using a Niacinamide Serum?
For the most part, there shouldn't be much upset from incorporating a niacinamide serum into your routine. However, in a small number of people, niacinamide is known to cause some irritation. "Niacinamide is generally very well tolerated. However, rarely, niacinamide can cause a flushing reaction and should be discontinued if this occurs," warns Dr Granite.
It is thought, however, that some of this irritation relates to certain formulas and certain routines. "Possible side effects include skin irritation, such as redness or itching, and in some instances, it may lead to sensitivity, particularly when used at high concentrations or combined with other exfoliating actives like acids," reveals Dr Engelina. My advice? Carry out a patch test before committing to a new niacinamide serum to ensure your skin can tolerate it well, and look for gentle formulas to start with.
Can You Use a Niacinamide Serum Every Day?
In short: yes. Niacinamide is considered best applied in serum form to really maximise its effects, and these niacinamide serums can be applied daily. "To maximise absorption, cleanse your face before application. Start with a lower concentration (between 2% and 5%) applied once daily, and gradually increase to twice daily as your skin builds tolerance," advises Dr Engelina.
The best part about using niacinamide serums, in my opinion, is all in their versatility; they are essentially foolproof. "Niacinamide can be layered with other ingredients. It has been shown to boost the hydrating properties of moisturiser and works well alongside ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides and fatty acids. It can be used alongside actives such as vitamin C, tranexamic acid, liquorice and bakuchiol for brightening, as well as with retinol and peptides for collagen boosting and texture improvement," says Dr Granite.
What Is the Most Effective Niacinamide Serum?
I have yet to meet a niacinamide serum that I really dislike. However, having really committed to trying every formula that has come my way, I feel as though I am in a pretty good place to advise your next niacinamide purchase.
Whilst niacinamide is somewhat of a wonder ingredient, it's worth knowing that different serums tend to target slightly different skin concerns. Because niacinamide can be successfully combined with so many different ingredients and actives, the overall formulas of each serum vary greatly. Luckily for you, I've tried loads, so below, find the best niacinamide serums for every skin type and concern.
Best Niacinamide Serums
- Best Overall Niacinamide Serum: Beauty Pie Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide, £15
- Best Niacinamide Serum for Dark Spots: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum, £48
- Best Niacinamide Serum for Pores: Paula's Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment, £52
- Best Brightening Niacinamide Serum: Sarah Chapman C1 Vitamin C Power Serum, £90
- Best Affordable Niacinamide Serum: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum, £5
1. Beauty Pie Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide
Price shown is members' price.
This is the serum I deem responsible for winning me all the compliments on my skin in recent months. It feels cooling and hydrating on application, making it the ultimate morning pick-me-up, and the results are subtle but clearly very effective. Skin is left brighter, smoother, more radiant, and pores are notably refined after just a couple of weeks of use. In the winter, it works exceptionally well under a hydrating face cream, while in the summer it boosts the juicy glow of my go-to gel moisturisers and SPFs.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sits well under makeup
- Affordable
Cons
- Beauty Pie membership required to benefit from lower price accessibility
- Not deeply moisturising
2. La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum
Pros
- Really effective at reducing and preventing the appearance of dark spots
- Boosts glow
- Reduces the appearance of breakouts
Cons
- Contains silicone, so be cautious of pilling if you have particularly oily skin
- Contains retinyl palmitate, which might not suit sensitive skin types
If I had to choose my personal favourite niacinamide serum, it would be this. Whilst niacinamide isn't the main active ingredient in this formula, it does a stand-up job turning my skin around for the better. The hero ingredient is Melasyl, a L'Oréal-patented ingredient that targets and reduces the appearance of post-breakout marks—something my skin is plagued with. It also contains retinyl palmitate to help boost glow and further fade dark spots. When combined with the powers of niacinamide, it leaves skin looking smoother, more even in tone and generally healthier.
3. Paula's Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment
If you are after a somewhat basic niacinamide serum to help refine the appearance of your pores, this is the one for you. The product itself is no-frills: the packaging isn't fancy, the texture isn't anything special and using it every day doesn't spark any immediate joy, but I promise you the long-term results are worth it. The formula is potent, so it might not be one for beginners.
Pros
- Visible difference in pore appearance
- Very potent formula
Cons
- Not hydrating enough for drier skin types
- Has a very slight stickiness
4. Sarah Chapman C1 Vitamin C Power Serum
Pros
- Has a luxurious texture
- Noticeable improvement in radiance and skin tone
Cons
- On the pricier side
"As someone who looks (and is) perpetually tired, this luxury serum offers up all of the skin-brightening benefits of vitamin C alongside the anti-inflammatory benefits of niacinamide," says beauty contributor Mica Ricketts. "The texture is silky and light, generally feels joyous to use and it really does deliver on radiance. Alongside niacinamide, there's also tranexamic acid to really help tackle pigmentation and two forms of vitamin C: Lipo-C, which is oil-soluble and Hydro-C, which is water-soluble, to refine skin tone and bolster glow. Yes, it's an investment, but for skin that looks even, luminous, and incredibly healthy, it really does deliver."
5. Byoma Brightening Serum
It is worth remembering that many of our skin concerns arise in the first place because the skin barrier is compromised, something that is particularly true when it comes to inflammatory issues. This really impressive serum (especially considering its price) contains a ceramide complex to help nourish and restore a compromised barrier, whilst niacinamide works against inflammation and hyaluronic acid boosts hydration and glow. It's nothing fancy; it's not overly potent, but my gosh, is it a great daily serum.
Pros
- Effectively hydrating
- Great value for money
- Delivers instant radiance
Cons
- Doesn't feel particularly luxurious or sumptuous on application
- Not the most potent formula
6. Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
Sure, niacinamide helps to reduce the appearance of pores by working to regulate oil production, but so does zinc. In this combination formula, niacinamide and zinc work together to balance excess oil on the skin, refine its overall appearance and keep oily skin happy and healthy. I love every product Naturium has ever produced, and this impressive serum is no different.
Pros
- Noticeably minimises congestion breakouts
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- Is a gentle formula that might not be as hardworking as others on the list
- Not particularly luxurious in texture
7. Verso Hydration Serum With Niacinamide
I can't begin to tell you how many bottles of this stuff I have gone through. If it wasn't for the huge price tag, this would, hands down, be my most recommended skincare product of all time. What makes it just so exceptional? At its core, it is a barrier-restoring serum that delivers lightweight but seriously efficacious hydration. Whenever my skin is feeling slightly sensitised or is looking a little red, this soothing bottle of goodness is the first thing I reach for. Beyond the soothing hydration, it also delivers niacinamide benefits in the form of oil regulation and reduced appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores.
Pros
- Great for sensitive skin
- Super moisturising
Cons
- On the pricier side (but does have a luxurious feel)
8. SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Neuro-Peptide Serum
This is by far the most expensive niacinamide serum on this list, but it is also by far the most high-tech. The superstar ingredient in this serum is acetyl hexapeptide-8, otherwise known as argireline, which is renowned for its ability to visibly reduce the appearance of muscle contraction lines. And whilst this serum does a stand-up job at doing this, it also contains a hearty amount of niacinamide to keep skin hydrated and even-toned, while PHA delivers gentle exfoliation. I know I'm not alone in my love for this one—everyone I know who is using it loves it as much as I do.
Pros
- Contains high-tech and potent ingredients
- Visibly reduces appearance of fine lines
Cons
- Very pricey
- Not ideal for super-sensitive skin
9. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
Okay, I'll be honest: this serum isn't all that different from the aforementioned Naturium one, but it does contain a less potent concoction of niacinamide and zinc. It also lacks some of the same luxurious pizzazz, but for just £5, I'm not complaining. If you're in the market for a good entry-level niacinamide serum to help regulate oil production and reduce the appearance of oversized pores, this is the single best place to start.
Pros
- Incredible value for money
- An efficacious all-rounder
Cons
- Can cause irritation in some
- Lacks luxury points
10. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Pros
- Delivers immediate radiance
- Acts as a great primer
Cons
- Should really only be used as a part of your make-up routine
Truthfully, I was in two minds as to whether or not I should include this in my edit of the best niacinamide serums, but ultimately decided it is too good at what it does to leave it off. Let me make this clear: in my opinion, this is not a good daily skincare serum for everyone. Yes, it contains niacinamide and does deliver all of the skin-brightening, pore-refining results it promises, but it has a very dewy finish. For this reason, it is most often used as a makeup primer or a glow-booster to mix with your foundation—this is when it becomes truly exceptional.
11. Caudalie Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum
As someone who battles with acne and clogged pores, believe me when I say this is one of the best serums money can buy when it comes to reducing pimples and controlling excess oil production. It champions salicylic acid first and foremost, which is my single favourite exfoliating ingredient for unclogging pores and reducing breakout-causing congestion. What makes it so great, however, is the inclusion of niacinamide, which makes the formula feel gentle and soothing as you apply it, as well as supercharging those oil-regulating properties. The cherry on top? The subtle botanical scent is a total joy for those, like me, who adore a ritualistic skincare routine.
Pros
- Gently exfoliating
- Reduces appearance of breakouts
Cons
- Not ideal for dry skin
- Has a strong fragrance
12. Barbara Sturm The Better B Niacinamide Serum
"Of course, I've always liked niacinamide for its ability to make skin look calmer, clearer and generally more balanced, but this Dr Barbara Sturm serum takes the ingredient into seriously luxurious territory," says Ricketts. "There’s no getting around the price—this is a very expensive way to add niacinamide to your routine—but the elegant texture, considered formula and overall sensorial experience do make it feel like a genuinely luxurious skincare step. Plus, as someone who has always had large, obvious pores, I've been impressed with how well it refines my skin texture and makes my skin look bright and even."
Pros
- Lightweight, luxurious texture
- Dials down redness
- Minimises appearance of pores
Cons
- It's seriously expensive
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