Investing in the best niacinamide serum is indeed a wise decision for those who wish to refine their everyday skincare regime effortlessly. Be it acne, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, dehydration, or uneven skin texture, niacinamide targets them all to unveil clearer, smoother, radiant skin, and renewed complexion (more on that below).

Niacinamide serums are popular for their skin-benefiting and moisturizing properties. With impressive abilities to strengthen the skin's protective barrier, regulate oil production, and reduce inflammation, they are not only a skincare staple for those with oily and acne-prone skin, but also for dry, combination, normal — and in some cases — sensitive skin types. Scroll away to learn more about the superstar ingredient and its benefits.

As per a research study published in the National Library of Medicine, niacin (vitamin B3) has two potential forms namely niacinamide and nicotinic acid. Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is soluble in water and offers a wide range of skincare benefits. It is a promising anti-aging cosmeceutical ingredient and is thus commonly found in serums in percentages of 4%, 10%, and 20%.

As per the study conducted by the Journal of Clinical And Aesthetic Dermatology, niacinamide improves the skin barrier function, decreases skin hyperpigmentation, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, decreases redness, decreases skin yellowness, and enhances the overall elasticity of the skin. Moreover, it can increase dermal collagen and protein production and prevent the formation of wrinkles. According to board-certified dermatologists, the ingredient also aids those with eczema-prone skin as it supports the skin barrier and thereby boosts hydration. 

The research also states that niacinamide has the potential to exert multiple effects on the skin. It shows off its magic by replenishing the skin with antioxidants. It upregulates the production of ceramides, thereby improving the structural and functional integrity of the skin barrier. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that the prolonged application of 2.5% niacinamide can correct the skin surface damage that results from aging. In a nutshell, the specific mechanisms of niacinamide work wonders on all skin types and aim to address the majority of the skincare concerns.

If you are looking to take your skincare game to the next level, investing in the best niacinamide serum will be the wisest decision to make.

• 1
  Best Overall

  Naturium Niacinamide Serum

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By incorporating Naturium’s Niacinamide Serum into your everyday skincare regimen, you can revolutionize your skincare game dramatically. Firstly, this serum is no less than a magical elixir that helps diminish the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. In addition, it purifies your skin, enhances complexion, and refines overall skin texture. What makes this niacinamide and hyaluronic acid serum stand apart from the rest is its skin-protecting and moisturizing properties that leave your skin feeling oh-so-good!  

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, zinc, and vitamin E

Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone, dry, and normal

Quantity:  1 fl. oz.

2

Editor’s Pick

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

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Moving on to the next niacinamide serum for the face — the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum enriched with Korean skincare secrets. Crafted for those dealing with sensitive skin types and enlarged pores, the serum brilliantly controls excessive sebum production and promotes hydration. The due credit goes to the harmonious blend of key ingredients that work towards improving your skin tone and amping up its natural radiance. A happy user also shares, “I like this product and I am glad I added it to my routine. It gets absorbed quickly and it helps with fine lines and wrinkles.”

Key Ingredients: Propolis and niacinamide

Skin Type: Oily

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

3

Best for All Skin Types

Bliss Glow & Hydrate Day Serum

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After splurging on the Glow & Hydrate Day Serum introduced by Bliss, you get a step closer to achieving radiance and healthy skin. Let us tell you how! This serum is a failproof multi-action action skincare product that hydrates and replenishes your skin inside and out. Thanks to the hero ingredients and antioxidants that promote radiance and keep free radical damage at bay. What’s more? This serum exudes a sweet and calming honeysuckle scent that elicits your mood and makes you feel utterly refreshed!

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid 

Skin Type: All

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

Quick Tip:

In the morning, apply this serum to clean, dry skin. Massage a little until it gets absorbed. Seal the nourishment with a moisturizer.

4

Most Versatile

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops

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Glow Recipe’s Niacinamide Dew Drops visibly hydrate and brighten the skin. It is like a sip of water that revives dullness and reduces the prominent appearance of enlarged pores. Moreover, these watermelon-scented dew drops not only act as an effective face serum with niacinamide but also as a makeup primer featuring a dewy gel-like texture. Secondly, it is packed with a punch of skin-hydrating properties that seamlessly revive skin dullness.   

What do we love the most? We highly appreciate how its breathable, lightweight, and buildable texture soothes the skin and invites one to engage in the most refreshing yet enjoyable skincare experience. 

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid

Skin Type: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry, normal

Quantity: 1.35 fl. oz.

5

Best pH Balancing Formula

Skin Daily Skincare Solutions Vitamin B3 Niacinamide Serum

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The next on our list of recommendations is a 5% niacinamide serum brought to you by Skin Daily Skincare Solutions. What makes the serum stand out from the crowd is its pH-balancing formula and skin-benefitting properties. To start with, the serum helps improve skin texture and visibly reduces the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and fine lines. Having said that, it revitalizes your skin and evens out skin tone, leaving it hydrated, smooth, supple, and plump. What left us stunned? The serum follows a balanced approach to also address the signs of aging. Undoubtedly, this product is the real game-changer when it comes to skincare! 

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin B3, and collagen 

Skin Type: Oily, combination, sensitive, dry

Quantity:  1 fl. oz.

6

Best for 24-hour Hydration

Olay Super Serum

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Enriched with a potent blend of skin-nourishing ingredients,  Olay’s Super Serum is capable enough of taking you a step closer to achieving your dream skin. To begin with, it gets absorbed quickly and moisturizes your skin deeply without making it feel sticky or greasy. Next, it improves skin texture and evens out skin tone to help you attain healthier and youthful-looking skin. 

Once you have cleansed your face with the Olay Foaming Cleanser Mousse, pamper your skin with this serum and wait for it to show off its magic. 

Key Ingredients:  Niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptide, vitamin E, and alpha hydroxy acid 

Skin Type: All

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

7

Best for Improving Discoloration

Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum

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Anyone who is dealing with inconsistencies in their skin tone should invest in the Vichy LiftActiv B3 Serum, and there are several reasons why. First off, it improves the overall appearance of your skin and boosts radiance. Moreover, this product is not only a good niacinamide serum for hyperpigmentation but also the go-to skincare product for bidding adieu to dark spots and wrinkles. Use it consistently for a week and we bet your skin will thank you for your good deeds!

Key Ingredients: Peptides, glycolic acid, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and tranexamic acid 

Skin Type: All

Quantity: 1.01 fl. oz.

8

Best Anti-aging Solution

Paula's Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment

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If you have ever seen a magical potion packed in a bottle, then it surely resembles Paula's Choice 20% niacinamide serum. Based on our observation, it is a concentrated serum that works like an anti-aging solution to help you bid farewell to discoloration, enlarged pores, blackheads, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. What is so special about it? This is a reliable product for glowing skin and radiant complexion. All credit goes to its composition of skin-loving ingredients and antioxidant properties that firms and protects the skin against further damage. 

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, purslane, and acetyl glucosamine

Skin Type: Oily, combination, dry, and normal

Quantity: 0.67 fl. oz.

9

Best for Resisting Skin Damage

BareMinerals Skinlongevity Long Life Herb Serum

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Packed with a punch of skin-replenishing ingredients, the BareMinerals Herb Serum is ideal for its ability to dramatically reduce the signs of aging and improve your skin texture. Addedly, it strengthens the skin barrier and protects your skin against damage. We also glanced through the review section and here is what a satisfied user has to say — “I have used this product for years! I am convinced as it has helped keep my skin looking as good as it does!” Making its place in the list of the best serums with niacinamide, you just can’t afford to miss this beauty! 

Key Ingredients: Boosted long life, California poppy, and niacinamide

Skin Type: All

Quantity: 3.4 fl. oz.

10

Best Science-backed Formula

PCA Skin Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum

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While on our quest to find a really good niacinamide serum, we bumped into this one from PCA Skin. This brightening serum is yet another anti-aging solution that aims to improve skin barrier function. Backed with scientific technology, it transforms uneven skin tone, prevents yellowing of the skin, and also reduces redness. That’s what makes it a skincare essential to embrace a clean, healthy, clear, and even-toned complexion. For better results, make sure you cleanse your skin with the PCA Skin Gentle Foaming Face Wash before beginning the application.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, mulberry, and green tea extracts 

Skin Type: All

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

11

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Niacinamide Serum

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Formulated without any harmful and questionable ingredients, Acure’s Niacinamide Serum works wonders to balance and rejuvenate your skin. With immense powers to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, it leaves your skin feeling a lot smoother, firmer, and resilient. In addition to the harmonious blend of hero ingredients, this niacinamide serum for skin also contains antioxidants and essential nutrients promising a clear, radiant, and well-balanced complexion. Last but not least, it also aids in boosting collagen production and improving skin elasticity. 

Key Ingredients:  Niacinamide, hemp seed oil, and zinc 

Skin Type: All

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

12

Eva Naturals Skin Firming Serum

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Watch your skin undergo a drastic transformation with the Eva Naturals Skin Firming Serum loaded with the power couple — niacinamide and hyaluronic acid! Additionally, it also contains other skin-revitalizing ingredients that work in harmony to firm, hydrate, and protect your skin! What we truly love is the fact that this top-rated niacinamide serum is mindfully created to soothe the concerns of those dealing with aging, dry, and sensitive skin. Plus, its lightweight and fast-absorbing texture makes it a sheer winner in the category of the best skincare products for everyday use!

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, rosehip seed oil, amino acids, plant stem cells, peptides, and vitamin C

Skin Type: Combination 

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

13

Neutrogena Hydro Boost + Niacinamide Serum

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As long as you use Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost + Niacinamide Serum, you can effortlessly improve the look of uneven skin tone and dull complexion. With a great ability to reduce the prominent appearance of dark spots, this serum with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid reveals glowing skin. One of the satisfied users shares, “This is a fantastic product, one of the best purchases I've made in a long time. I have reactive skin, so a lot of products make my skin go crazy (breakouts, rosacea acting up, skin drying). I have a minimal skincare routine, and this product has been a great addition.”

Key Ingredients: 10% niacinamide and hyaluronic acid

Skin Type: Oily 

Quantity: 1 fl. oz.

Quick Tip:

Pour a pearl-sized amount and apply it twice a day to a cleansed face and neck. Seal your skin with a moisturizer for added benefits.

That was our comprehensive list of the best niacinamide serums. Now, let us run you through a detailed buying guide.

Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best niacinamide serum: 

Skin Type: Ensure that you analyze your skin type before investing in a niacinamide serum. Those dealing with sensitive skin should make sure that they invest in serums that are gentle, mild, and effective. Be it normal, combination, oily, acne-prone, or dry skin, niacinamide is one such hero ingredient that accepts every skin type with open arms — just be a little aware of the concentration. Most dermatologists recommend using a niacinamide serum with concentration levels ranging between 5% to 10%. Remember to patch test and stick to the one that works the best for your skin type. 

Key Ingredients: Next, pay heed to the list of ingredients mentioned on the packaging. It is wise to check additional ingredients that complement niacinamide's effects. You may also find that some niacinamide serums are also enriched with the goodness of hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid for utmost skin revitalization, peptides for anti-aging effects, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin A, and vitamin E for antioxidant protection.  Make sure you stay away from serums that contain harsh ingredients or synthetic substances. 

Texture: Texture is one of the vital aspects to consider as it determines the potency, application, and penetrating abilities of the serum. Drawing from our experiences, we conclude that the best niacinamide serums are light in weight, easy to apply, and absorb quickly into the skin, without leaving a sticky or oily feel.

After taking note of the aspects mentioned above, let us acquaint you with a few of the benefits of applying the best niacinamide serum daily.

• Reduces redness and inflammation
• Soothes chronic skin conditions, acne, and rosacea-prone skin
• Brightens and hydrates the skin
• Minimizes pore size and acne scars
• Reduces hyperpigmentation and skin discoloration
• Strengthens skin barrier repair function 
• Evens out the skin tone 
• Prevents moisture loss and rough skin
• Reduces damage from UV rays, dark spots, and blemishes

Now that you are very well aware of the benefits, scroll away to learn how to apply niacinamide skin to your skin.

Step 1: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser or face wash. Pat dry your skin.

Step 2: After cleansing, apply a toner and prepare it for the rest of the skincare regime.

Step 3: Begin applying the niacinamide serum on your face. Dispense 3-4 drops of the serum onto your skin and allow it to absorb well into your skin by massaging it gently.

Step 4: Seal the product with a moisturizer.

Step 5: Follow up with sunscreen if you are applying the serum during the daytime.