10 Best Niacinamide Serums Of 2024 For Brighter Skin
Keen to get into the world of niacinamide? We try this five-star serum and we are "seriously obsessed" with the "dramatic" results.
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Putting together a good skincare regimen may seem complicated when there are so many serums to choose from. But when you’re equipped with the right information it becomes far easier.
There's one kind of serum - not as well known as a hyaluronic acid or vitamin c serum, but one that works just as well, if not with more dramatic results. And it's great for anyone, no matter your skin type or concern.
Niacinamide is kind of a powerhouse ingredient. It works to hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier, improve redness and uneven skin tone, minimise the appearance of pores and improve your overall skin texture.
Convinced yet? Read on for our roundup of the best niacinamide serums and the glowing accounts from reviewers who swear by them for overall skin health.
EDITOR'S PICKS: BEST NIACINAMIDE SERUMS
La Roche-Posay MELA B3 Niacinamide Serum for Dark Spots, $79.95 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Potent serum that provides dramatic results to skin tone and texture.
What to consider: Higher price point than others on the market.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
Tried and Tested by Philippa Tonkin, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
This hyperpigmentation serum packed with anti inflammatory properties is designed to soothe and visibly reduce skin imperfections, correct dark spots and stop dark spots from appearing. I've been using this serum for a couple of months now and am seriously obsessed. My skin has never looked better.
It's incredibly lightweight and melts easily into the skin. I've been using it both morning and night and have had no issues with pilling. It works both with my other skincare products and under makeup too.
Throughout my teens and early 20s I suffered from pretty severe acne and have a few scars to show for it. This serum dramatically reduced my scarring. It's also generally brightened and evened out my skin tone too. More generally, despite coming into winter when my skin sadly usually looks a bit dull, I've noticed it looks way more radiant and glowy. Plus, I also had no issues with irritation so if you sensitive skin this is one you'll love.
Aesthetics Rx B Serum, $119 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: Makes the skin look more plump, firm and hydrated. Also works great for all skin types.
What to consider: Higher price point than others on the market.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
Tried and Tested by Marina Tatas, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
I love a good niacinamide serum and after reading so many great reviews on this one I was so keen to try. Perfect for all skin types and designed to hydrate and banish redness from the complexion, this vitamin B serum is a must-try. I’ve been using it for over a month now and can always see a difference the morning after using. It’s also pumped with hyaluronic acid to keep your skin looking plump and bouncy - say goodbye to dull skin!
asap super B complex, $90 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: It's a super packed and hard working serum with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid.
What to consider: Higher price point than others on the market.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
What You Need To Know
The asap super b complex is a multi-tasking serum, fighting signs of ageing and providing your skin with lots of hydration. It's a lightweight and fast absorbing formula, packed with loads of vitamin B to improve your skin's barrier and fight off redness.
Holding an impressive 4.7 out of five rating on the Adore Beauty website, this much-loved serum has received rave compliments from reviewers.
"Holy grail" said one user, with another noting this "absolutely amazing" serum keeps their skin "hydrated and bright".
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY NIACINAMIDE SERUMS
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, $9.50 at The Iconic
Why we love it: Affordable price point.
What to consider: Some users claim it felt too sticky on their skin and did not mesh well with other skincare products.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
What You Need To Know
The Ordinary is hands down one of my favourite affordable skincare brands – its formulations are high quality and the price tags near-unbeatable. The brand’s niacinamide serum has a 10 per cent concentration combined with 1 per cent zinc, which work together to balance sebum activity and reduce textural irregularities.
Pro tip – gently pat it into your skin rather than rubbing.
“This has made my skin feel so much tighter and clearer after only few days of using the product. [I] have minimal pimples and my pores have shrunk,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
The Inkey List Niacinamide Face Serum, $17 at Sephora
Why we love it: Affordable price point.
What to consider: Some users claim it feels too sticky.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
What You Need To Know
Ringing in at just under $20, The Inkey List's niacinamide serum is a highly-rated serum, with rave reviews from shoppers - some naming it an "amazing product" that "works like magic".
It's formulated to feel super lightweight on the skin - the one per cent hyaluronic acid works to hydrate the skin, while the 10 per cent niacinamide reduces excess oil, blemishes and control redness.
BEST HIGH-END NIACINAMIDE SERUM
O Cosmedics B3 Plus, $129 at O Cosmedics
Why we love it: It's a high-concentration serum with 12 per cent niacinamide and five per cent vitamin c.
What to consider: Higher price point than others on the market.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Acting Editor
This is hands down the best niacinamide serum I have ever used. I was recommended this O Cosmedics B3 Plus serum by a facialist last year when I mentioned I had concerns about redness and dullness in my skin. It is a pricier product but up until then, nothing had quite worked, so I decided to splurge. I’m so glad I did because it has transformed my skin.
I’ve been using it daily for about a year now - sometimes in the morning when I remember but always at night - and my skin has never been better. With a high concentration of niacinamide in it (12 per cent to be exact) as well as Vitamin C and peptides, this serum has made my skin tone much more even and given me that radiant glow that I’m seeking. I’ve received so many compliments about my skin in the past year and I can pinpoint it to when I started using this serum regularly.
BEST AUSTRALIAN-MADE NIACINAMIDE SERUM
Alpha-H Vitamin B Serum with 5% Niacinamide, $84.95 at Adore Beauty
Why we love it: This Australian-made, potent serum is perfect for all skin types.
What to consider: Some users noted it felt a little too thick on their skin.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
What You Need To Know
An anti-ageing powerhouse from award-winning Australian skincare brand Alpha-H, the vitamin B serum is designed to hydrate and plump skin. The potent combination of niacinamide, copper tripeptides, ferulic acid and chia seed extracts even the complexion while increasing elasticity and boosting hydration.
“I really loved this product. I found it left my skin super hydrated and glowing. Would definitely recommend,” wrote one of its many five-star reviewers.
BEST NIACINAMIDE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES
Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster, $65 at Paula's Choice
Why we love it: This is one of Paula's Choice best sellers, and is a concentrated formula with real results.
What to consider: Some users claimed they didn't see much of a difference after using this serum.
Size: 20ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
What You Need To Know
If you're interested in a super concentrated formula of niacinamide, Paula's Choice is the way to go. With an impressive 10 per cent of niacinamide and a blend of natural calming and hydrating ingredients, this serum works hard to reduce the appearance of pores and redness, increase radiance and improve the overall look of your skin tone and texture.
It offers a light-as-water texture, slotting in super easy to your skincare routine.
Five-star rating Paula's Choice customers said their pores are "almost gone" after using it for just two weeks, with another noting it "doesn't leave the skin feeling tacky or sticky like some other niacinamides".
BEST NIACINAMIDE FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Caudalie Vinopure Blemish Control Infusion Serum, $72 at Sephora
Why we love it: It's a super lightweight formula that also address concerns with acne and excess oil.
What to consider: Higher price tag than other serums on the market.
Size: 30ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
What You Need To Know
Boasting a 4.3-star average rating from over 1000 reviews on the Sephora website, this Caudalie serum proves that it is worth its price tag.
Light yet potent, in addition to niacinamide it also contains a high concentration of salicylic acid to purify pores and purge excess oil, blackheads and bacteria – making it ideal for congested skin prone to hormonal breakouts.
“I’ve been using this serum for years now because it has completely changed my skin. I no longer have breakouts or tiny bumps appearing on my skin,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
BEST NIACINAMIDE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
B Calm, $95 at Evidence Skincare
Why we love it: This is the perfect serum for those with sensitive skin types - it's hydrating, calming and improves your skin's barrier function.
What to consider: Higher price point than others on the market.
Size: 50ml | Formula: Serum | Good for sensitive skin? Yes
What You Need To Know
If you’re after a streamlined skincare routine that doesn’t involve a dozen steps, this five per cent niacinamide moisturising cream from Australian skincare brand ESK is a one-and-done product. Ideal for acne-prone and sensitive skin, it improves the skin’s barrier function, manages oil production, reduces hyperpigmentation and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
“I love B calm, it’s a lightweight moisturiser which evens out my skin tone,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “I could not be happier.”
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A NIACINAMIDE SERUM
When choosing niacinamide serums to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Price: In our list, we've included price points under $20 and well over $80, so there's something for everyone's budget.
Formula: Depending on your skin, you may want a lightweight, gel-like serum or you may prefer something more thick and creamy.
Your skin type: If you have sensitive skin, combination skin or acne-prone skin, you may want to be careful what product picks you select - that's why we've found particular ones that should work amazing for your skin.
Other ingredients: Depending on what you want out of your serum, some picks on our list combine niacinamide with things like hyaluronic acid or vitamin c to increase their effectiveness.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
With hundreds of serums available, it’s impossible to test every product out there. To help you find the best niacinamide serum, we tested a few well-known brands at different price points. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best niacinamide serum for your skin.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT DOES NIACINAMIDE DO?
“Niacinamide aka Nicotinamide or Vitamin B3 is an amazing ingredient with multiple benefits,” says Dr Ginni Mansberg, GP and creator of Evidence Skincare.
“In ageing skin, it helps build collagen, prevents blotchiness, skin sallowing or yellowing, as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Dry skin? Niacinamide increases hydration by reducing TEWL or transepidermal water loss. Pigmentation? Niacinamide prevents the transfer of pigment from the melanosome to the superficial skin cells, making it an effective lightening agent. Acne and oily skin? Niacinamide has been shown to have anti-inflammatory as well as pimple busting effects.”
CAN A NIACINAMIDE SERUM BE USED EVERY DAY?
“Most of the evidence for the benefits of niacinamide are for daily use,” says Dr Ginni.
As with most skincare products, consistent use is key. Follow the instructions on the particular serum you buy for the best results.
WHO SHOULD USE NIACINAMIDE SERUM?
“Niacinamide is great for people with dry skin, who want to reverse the signs of ageing and address pigmentation,” explains Dr Ginni.
“Because it is so well tolerated it will be awesome for people with sensitive skin… That’s just about everyone!”
WHAT KIND OF SERUM WORKS BEST WITH NIACINAMIDE SERUM?
Niacinamide serum is the kind of ingredient that works with almost anything. Combine it with hyaluronic acid and you have a hydrating powerhouse. With vitamin c, you'll look as radiant as ever.
I personally love to use niacinamide with my retinol serum as the niacinamide helps to minimise skin sensitivity due to its skin moisture barrier supportive function.
WHAT SERUM SHOULD YOU NOT USE WITH NIACINAMIDE SERUM?
Unless it's already curated in the formula for you, don't mix your niacinamide serum with your chemical exfoliant - so think like AHA/BHA.
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