The 7 best niacinamide serums

Key takeaways

• Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. Studies link it to less oil, a stronger skin barrier and fewer dark spots, mostly at 2% to 5%.

• Our top pick is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: 10% niacinamide and zinc PCA in a short, fragrance-free formula for $6.

• For pores and texture, Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides adds zinc and a peptide to 10% niacinamide.

• Higher isn’t proven to be better. No study we found shows 10% or 20% beating the 2% to 5% used in most research, so sensitive skin can start lower.

• Most niacinamide serums can be used morning and night, but check each brand’s advice on pairing with vitamin C.

What to look for in a niacinamide serum

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, and it’s one of the better-studied ingredients in skincare. In clinical studies, 2% niacinamide lowered oil production over four weeks, 4% was comparable to a clindamycin gel for inflammatory acne over eight weeks, and 5% reduced the look of dark spots, fine lines and blotchiness over 12 weeks. A 2021 review describes it as well tolerated at the concentrations normally used, which it puts below 5%, and notes that it doesn’t cause the flushing that nicotinic acid, another form of B3, can.

Most serums now sell 10%, and a few go to 20%. Cleveland Clinic notes that most skincare products contain 5% or less and suggests starting with a low concentration if your skin is sensitive. On pores, it’s blunt: “Nothing has been proven to reduce the actual size of your pores.” Niacinamide can make them look smaller by helping regulate oil and keeping skin smooth and clear, which is the same idea our guide to minimizing the look of pores explains.

We compared each serum on its published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at the stated niacinamide strength, what it’s paired with, whether fragrance is listed, and the price.

1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: best overall

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a water-based serum with 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc PCA, and its ingredient list is 11 ingredients long. The Ordinary says it “helps regulate excess sebum” and targets enlarged pores, and it reports the formula was non-comedogenic in an eight-week study of 35 people.

Key features:

• 10% niacinamide plus zinc. Zinc PCA is often paired with niacinamide for oily skin.

• Short ingredient list. There’s no fragrance on it.

• Very low price. It’s the cheapest serum on this list alongside Good Molecules.

Tradeoff: The Ordinary recommends using niacinamide and vitamin C in separate routines, which some other brands on this list don’t.

Best for: oily and blemish-prone skin on a tight budget.

Price: $6 for 30 ml, or $10.80 for 60 ml.

2. Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides: best for pores and texture

Medik8 Niacinamide Peptides combines 10% niacinamide with 1% zinc PCA, a peptide (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10), N-acetyl glucosamine and hyaluronic acid. Medik8 reports a 26% reduction in visible pore size in a four-week clinical study of 30 people, and it’s the brand’s replacement for its older Clarity Peptides serum.

Key features:

• Niacinamide, zinc and a peptide. It’s the most complete formula on this list for oily, textured skin.

• Fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. Medik8 labels it both.

• Face, neck and chest. Medik8’s directions cover all three, morning and/or evening.

Tradeoff: at $56 it costs nearly ten times our top pick, for the same 10% niacinamide.

Best for: people who mainly want smoother-looking texture and less visible pores.

Price: $56 for 1 fl oz.

3. The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum: best for layering

The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide Serum pairs 10% niacinamide with 1% hyaluronic acid, squalane, panthenol and allantoin. The INKEY List says it can be used with vitamin C and retinol, with a caution against stacking it with vitamin C above 10% L-ascorbic acid or with acids in the same step.

Key features:

• Hydrating extras. Hyaluronic acid and squalane help if niacinamide alone feels drying.

• Fragrance-free. The INKEY List labels it fragrance-free.

• Clear layering advice. The brand explains how to fit it around vitamin C and retinol.

Tradeoff: it contains egg-derived phospholipids, so it isn’t vegan.

Best for: people building a routine around niacinamide plus other active ingredients.

Price: $13 for 30 ml.

4. Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster: best for uneven skin tone

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster combines 10% niacinamide with a vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl glucoside), N-acetyl glucosamine, licorice root extract and allantoin. You can use it on its own or mix a few drops into any product that doesn’t contain SPF.

Key features:

• Niacinamide plus vitamin C. Paula’s Choice says the two can be used together, and this formula already combines them.

• Mixes into other products. It doesn’t have to be a separate step.

• No added fragrance. There’s no fragrance on the ingredient list.

Tradeoff: at $53 for 0.67 fl oz it’s the most expensive serum on this list by volume.

Best for: dullness and post-blemish marks.

Price: $53 for 0.67 fl oz.

5. Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%: best for oily skin

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% raises both numbers slightly over our top pick, with 12% niacinamide and 2% zinc PCA, plus sodium hyaluronate. Naturium says it’s appropriate for sensitive skin and reports results from an eight-week clinical study.

Key features:

• More zinc. At 2% zinc PCA, it has twice as much as our top pick.

• Fragrance-free. Naturium labels it fragrance-free.

• Jumbo size. A 2 fl oz bottle is available if you use it twice a day.

Tradeoff: the extra niacinamide isn’t proven to do more, and sensitive skin may do better starting lower.

Best for: oily skin that wants a bit more zinc.

Price: $17 for 1 fl oz, or $31 for 2 fl oz.

6. La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum: best for dark spots

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum With Melasyl + Niacinamide pairs 10% niacinamide with Melasyl, the brand’s own ingredient for dark spots. La Roche-Posay reports that 90% of subjects showed dark spot reduction after eight weeks, as assessed by expert graders, and says it was tested on all skin tones.

Key features:

• Made for dark spots. Niacinamide is combined with a dedicated dark-spot ingredient.

• Tested across skin tones. La Roche-Posay cites a 10-week study of 73 women.

• Clear routine advice. If you also use the brand’s vitamin C serum, it suggests vitamin C in the morning and Mela B3 at night.

Tradeoff: it contains fragrance, which may not suit sensitive skin, and it costs $44.99 for 30 ml.

Best for: people whose main concern is dark spots and uneven tone.

Price: $44.99 for 30 ml, or $60.99 for 50 ml.

7. Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum: best minimal formula

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum is 10% niacinamide in a short, fragrance-free base with glycerin and betaine. Good Molecules says it’s made to minimize the appearance of pores and uneven tone and texture.

Key features:

• Short ingredient list. There’s very little in it besides niacinamide.

• Fragrance-free. Good Molecules labels it fragrance-free.

• Easy to layer. The brand suggests applying it before oils, moisturizers and creams.

Tradeoff: it has no zinc or hydrating extras, so it does one job.

Best for: sensitive skin that wants niacinamide with as little else as possible.

Price: $6 for 30 ml.

How to use a niacinamide serum

• Apply it after cleansing and before moisturizer. Thinner products go first, as our guide to skincare routine order explains.

• Start with a low strength if you’re sensitive. Cleveland Clinic suggests starting slowly with a low concentration, and says side effects like itching, mild burning or redness are rare.

• Decide how to handle vitamin C. Cleveland Clinic, Paula’s Choice and The INKEY List say they can be paired. The Ordinary suggests separate routines, and La Roche-Posay suggests vitamin C in the morning and Mela B3 at night if you use its vitamin C serum. Following the brand’s own advice is the simplest rule.

• Use it alongside retinol if you like. Cleveland Clinic lists retinol among the products niacinamide pairs with, and says it can soothe irritation from strong exfoliants.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most effective niacinamide serum?

There’s no clear winner, because most research tests 2% to 5% niacinamide rather than specific serums. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is our top pick for its short, fragrance-free formula and $6 price.

Is 10% niacinamide better than 5%?

Not on the evidence we found. The studies showing benefits for oil, acne and dark spots used 2% to 5%, and one found 5% did better than 2% on dark spots. Higher strengths are sold widely, but no study we found shows 10% or more working better than that, so sensitive skin can start lower.

Is it okay to use niacinamide serum every day?

Yes, it’s fine for most people. Most of the serums on this list are made for morning and evening use, and the 2021 review describes niacinamide as well tolerated at the concentrations normally used, which it puts below 5%. It also notes that 10% on skin caused no stinging or flushing.

What should you not mix with niacinamide?

The main debate is vitamin C. Some brands, including The Ordinary, suggest using them in separate routines, while Cleveland Clinic lists vitamin C among the ingredients niacinamide pairs with. The INKEY List also advises against applying it in the same step as exfoliating acids.

Does niacinamide shrink pores?

It can make them look smaller, partly by helping regulate oil and keeping skin smooth, but it doesn’t change their actual size. Cleveland Clinic says nothing has been proven to reduce the actual size of pores.