You may have heard of niacinamide, a buzzy skincare ingredient that’s making waves in the beauty world for its brightening, breakout-busting and anti-aging benefits. But what exactly is it? “Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a vital form of vitamin B3 that plays a significant role in both skincare and overall health,” says Cameron Rokhsar, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Rokhsar raves about its anti-inflammatory properties, as “it can be beneficial in reducing skin conditions like acne and eczema by helping to control sebaceous gland oil production and thus prevent excess oiliness.”
Niacinamide is more than just an acne-fighting all-star. “Niacinamide is thought to block the enzyme responsible for melanin (or pigmentation) production and improve the appearance of skin tone,” says Danusia Wnek, senior chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. In fact, a clinical study found that when a 5% niacinamide moisturizer was applied twice daily for two weeks, it significantly improved hyperpigmentation. “Studies have also shown that it can slow down the appearance of wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen,” says Wnek. Niacinamide can also help increase the production of ceramides, preventing water loss in dry, compromised skin and improving the skin’s barrier function.
1
Best Overall
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3
Pros
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Firms skin
- Lightweight but moisturizing
Cons
- Pricey
A GH Beauty Lab serum winner for its anti-aging effects, this Skinceuticals serum reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by 5% over four weeks.
Consumers also felt it was the best for firming skin and all of the testers agreed that it didn’t irritate skin. Vivian Bucay, M.D., FAAD, a dermatologist at the Bucay Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics in San Antonio, Texas, loves that it is lightweight but can also be used alone as a moisturizer, depending on your skin type. It is a pricey pick, but most agree it’s worth the cost.
“I loved the plumpness of my skin which you could see the next day,” shares one tester. “I was shocked.”
2
Best Value
Olay Super Serum
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Good value
- Reputable brand with extensive research on niacinamide
- Powerful blend of brightening ingredients
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the bottle runs out quickly
We’d be remiss to talk about niacinamide without mentioning Olay.
“Olay has pioneered the use of this ingredient in skincare and has conducted multiple clinical studies to determine the benefits within their skincare products,” says Wnek. “This product stands out because in addition to niacinamide, it contains several other brightening ingredients like vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids.” Wnek likes the scent, describing it as “floral fruity with a touch of sweetness.” One thing to note: Some reviewers commented that the bottle runs out fairly quickly.
“When I tried on this formula, it is more milky in consistency — almost like a mix of a serum and a lotion,” Wnek says. “I would recommend this one for more normal to dry skin based on the texture.”
3
Best for Oily Skin
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Ultra Pure High-Potency 5.0% Niacinamide Serum
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reduces oiliness and shine
- Contains hydrating ingredients, including glycerin and hyaluronic acid
Cons
- Results can take some time
Wnek loves that this formula “absorbs immediately into skin and feels extremely lightweight.” The serum is fragrance-free and only has 10 ingredients total, which is great for any type of reactive skin. Wnek recommends this product for oily or combination skin due to its light and non-greasy texture, but feels that it could truly work well on any skin type. Be patient with this product: A few reviewers said it can take time to see results.
“After applying to my face twice a day for a few weeks after washing, my skin had noticeably smaller pores and less T-zone shine,” says one Ulta reviewer. “Upon continued use, my skin has maintained the improved condition without the harsh effects of some other high-end company products.”
4
Best for Hyperpigmentation
Faded by Topicals Brightening and Clearing Serum
Pros
- Great for fading dark spots and acne scars
- Contains powerful brightening ingredients
- Safe for all skin tones and ethnicities
Cons
- Can take time to see results
If you deal with pigmentation problems, look no further. This serum contains multiple ingredients known to decrease hyperpigmentation including kojic acid, tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin and, of course, niacinamide. The Black-owned brand recommends starting off slow and using it once a week and building up gradually to daily.
“This serum is amazing for fading dark spots and acne scars,” says Grace Wu, Textiles Product Reviews Analyst. “I think it might have gone viral on TikTok one to two years ago, but I found it through Twitter in fall 2020, and it continues to work wonders.” She notes that it does need a few months to show signs of improvement so be sure to use it consistently and stay the course.
5
Best for Sensitive Skin
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum
Pros
- Soothes skin
- Helps with oil control
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some find the texture sticky
The combination of 2% niacinamide and 60% propolis extract make for a hydrating and soothing yet oil- and shine-reducing formula. The brand claims that it helps to minimize pores, balance sebum and soothe skin. Reviewers tend to agree and multiple shared that the serum worked wonders on their sensitive skin. The jury is out on the texture: Some love it, some feel that it’s a bit too sticky.
Wu reports that her friend uses the serum, and shares that “it’s great for my night routine — it’s consistently made my skin feel soft and smooth the next day.”
6
Best for Dry Skin
Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid
Pros
- Contains top moisturizing ingredients
- Absorbs instantly
- Plays nicely with other products
Cons
- Reviewers report some issues using the bottle pump
With a laundry list of potent ingredients, Rhode’s hydrating formula is ideal for dry skin. “The combination of niacinamide, peptides, hyaluronic acid and marula oil nourish my skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth,” says Catharine Malzahn, GH’s Beauty Assistant. The serum absorbs instantly, letting you continue with your skincare routine without any wait time. Just an FYI: A few reviewers had issues with the pump not working properly and getting the product out.
“I like to apply this gel serum after cleansing and before moisturizer — I’ve worn it under makeup without any issues, and it even helps enhance my complexion,” Malzahn adds.
7
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
AveSeena Micro Algae Immun-B3 Serum
Pros
- Helps with breakouts and acne scars
- Tightens skin
- Soothes sensitive skin
Cons
- Some don’t like the fragrance
The brand AveSeena was born from the need of finding a moisturizing but “anti-inflammaging” lotion for the founder’s father, who was battling cancer and his skin was super sensitive.
It also needed to work for the founder’s own breakout-prone skin. Thus, this multi-tasking formula for both sensitive and acneic skin was born. This serum contains niacinamide, vitamin C and a water-extracted witch hazel, known for its soothing benefits. If you are scent sensitive, note that some don’t love the rose-like fragrance.
Reviewers love it for reducing blemishes: “It’s my go-to serum for my skin,” one shares. “It has seriously helped clear the look of my acne and scars.”
8
Best Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Defenage 8-IN-1 BIOSERUM
Pros
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Plumps and hydrates skin
- Good retinol alternative
Cons
- Expensive
A pricey pick for sure, Defenage’s formula is Dr. Bucay’s “go-to serum with niacinamide for anyone wanting to improve the signs of sun damage.”
In addition to effective levels of niacinamide, this serum contains plumping hyaluronic acid and age repair defensins, “which are peptides that have been clinically proven to improve fine lines and wrinkles, skin smoothness and skin tone,” she explains. The brand touts it as a good retinol alternative that won’t irritate skin.
Dr. Bucay suggests using just a drop in the morning and evening for the best results. “A little bit goes a long way,” she says.
9
Best for Uneven Skin Tone
Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Ferulic + Niacinamide Brightener
Pros
- Helps reduce and prevent discoloration in skin
- Soothing formula
- Brightens overall tone
Cons
- Some don’t love the scent
A GH Seal holder, Mary Kay’s brightening booster with niacinamide also includes ferulic acid — a potent antioxidant that soothes skin and helps prevent discoloration — and navy bean extract which, according to the brand’s research, “is shown to significantly improve skin brightness, reduce visible contrast of dark spots and improve the overall appearance of uneven skin tone.”
For those who are particular when it comes to fragrance, this serum is known to have a unique — and some say unpleasant — scent due to the inclusion of ferulic acid.
10
Best Fast-Acting
PCA SKIN Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum
Pros
- High percentage of niacinamide
- Brightens skin and reduces redness
- Results can be seen quickly
Cons
- Some reported trouble getting the product out of the pump
Boasting a pretty high percentage (6%) of niacinamide, Dr. Bucay is a fan of this effective serum that can be used alone or in combination with other skincare products. It helps with all skin discoloration, including calming redness in the skin and brightening a dull (or yellow) complexion.
According to reviewers, it works quickly! “After one night of using this, I’m already seeing an improvement in some recent acne scars and patches of compromised skin I have,” says one Amazon reviewer. “What I love about this serum is the very second you put it on it brightens right then,” shares another. Some users did complain that the pump can be finicky and tough to get product out, so keep an eye out for that.
11
Best Niacinamide and Retinol Serum
La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3
Pros
- Multitasking formula
- Great for those who struggle using retinol
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Some found the texture sticky
A triple threat, “La Roche-Posay’s serum combines retinol for lines and wrinkles, niacinamide (B3) for tone and texture and hyaluronic acid for hydration,” says Dr. Bucay. “Studies show that B3 improves the tolerability of retinol,” she explains, which is ideal for anyone with sensitive skin who struggles with irritation when using retinol. While most love the texture, a few reviewers found it a little sticky.
“This is a great option for anyone wanting to use minimal products at night,” says Dr. Bucay.
