We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Beauty Skincare The 17 Best Niacinamide Serums to Brighten, Smooth, and Clarify Skin, Tested & Reviewed Your routine absolutely needs niacinamide. By Emily Orofino Emily Orofino Emily Orofino has over a decade of experience working in beauty. You can find her work on sites such as Harper’s Bazaar, Byrdie, Editorialist, POPSUGAR, & RealSelf. She has also lent her expertise to marketing departments & product development teams of some of the industry’s most prestigious brands. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on July 9, 2024 @ 12:21PM In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered Why Shop With Us Photo: InStyle / Kristin Kempa Sure, there’s merit to a maximalist, 15-step skin care routine, but we’re willing to wager that most people just want to get the job done as efficiently as possible. So if you’re trying to get the best skin you can while putting in practically zero effort, a niacinamide serum should absolutely be in the mix. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B that “has been shown to reverse and prevent signs of skin aging, brighten and smooth skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, decrease the appearance of pores, and hydrate and support the skin barrier,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, M.D., FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skincare Junkie. It won’t come as a surprise that because this ingredient can do so much, niacinamide has become one of the most popular ingredients found in skin care products today. But there’s no need to comb through all the niacinamide serums to find the best ones—we’ve done it for you. We devoted almost 1,000 hours (no kidding!) to testing 29 unique niacinamide serums over eight weeks, judging them on their consistency, absorption, efficacy, and overall results. From there, we narrowed the list to the 17 top performers below. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum at Amazon $65 Jump to Review Best Budget: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% at Nordstrom $6 Jump to Review Best for Hyperpigmentation: ISDIN Melaclear Advanced at Amazon $180 Jump to Review Best Korean: Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum at Amazon $18 Jump to Review Best for Acne-Prone Skin: SALE Cosrx The Niacinamide 15 Serum at Amazon $25 $20 Jump to Review Best for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin: Glossier Super Pure Serum with Niacinamide + Zinc at Amazon $34 Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Dr. Barbara Sturm Niacinamide Serum at Amazon $160 Jump to Review Best for Pores: Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment at Amazon $55 Jump to Review Best for Rosacea: SALE PCA SKIN Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum at Amazon $125 $100 Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Olay Super Serum at Amazon $35 Jump to Review Best Overall Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum PHOTO: Ulta $59 at Amazon $65 at Nordstrom View on Nordstrom Why We Love It: This is the first niacinamide serum we’d ever tried, and it completely blew every other skin care formula we’ve previously used out of the water. Though we found the texture of this product to be just a little too fluid for our tastes, its results were worth that minor inconvenience—besides which, it spread and absorbed easily, with a little bit going a long way. We’re prone to blemishes, but this serum brightened and cleared up our skin throughout the testing period, leaving it looking and feeling fresh. Who It's For: This comprehensive serum is formulated to be used by all skin types (though it’s worth noting the high dose of niacinamide could potentially cause irritation if you have very sensitive skin). In addition to the B vitamin, the product features potent antioxidants like resveratrol and epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside (EGCG) to help defend skin from dark-spot-forming free radicals. It also boasts a lab-created ingredient called Brightenyl, which works with the skin’s microbiome to prevent the development of dark spots, reduce redness, and shrink pore size. Key Ingredients: Trans-resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, Brightenyl|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 1 oz InStyle / Natalie Guisinger Natalie, Combination Skin | Tester: “My skin definitely improved during the testing period. My skin was much clearer, softer and brighter. The product prevented me from breaking out…my skin was softer and smoother.” Best Budget The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% PHOTO: Sephora $6 at Nordstrom $6 at Sephora $6 at Ulta Why We Love It: Don’t be fooled into thinking that the brief ingredient list or low price point of this product makes it a pass! The serum is incredibly effective, noticeably taming excess oil, fading dark spots, and subduing stubborn breakouts in three weeks. After using it for eight weeks, we found we weren’t even halfway through the bottle after using it twice daily on our face and neck, which makes this budget-friendly formula even more so. Who It's For: It’s not easy to find a serum that’s more affordable than a cup of coffee, but this one is—and it’s really effective, too, so it’s a must for those looking to save money. It’s especially ideal for those with oily and acne-prone skin due to the blend of the serum’s star ingredients, a high concentration of niacinamide and zinc, which Dr. Murphy-Rose says is known to fight blemishes; it kills breakout-causing bacteria while reducing oil production and inflammation. Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Morning and night|Size: 1 oz InStyle / Hannah Berg Hannah, Dry, Acne-prone Skin | Tester: “There’s a reason for the hype. I’ve tried other niacinamide serums before but this is one I plan to repurchase.” Best for Hyperpigmentation ISDIN Melaclear Advanced PHOTO: ISDIN $180 at Amazon $180 at Dermstore View on Isdin.com Why We Love It: Quite frequently, it’s near impossible to fade old dark spots, especially acne scars, but this formula started fading ours in four weeks. In just two weeks, the serum started smoothing out uneven skin texture and shrinking our supersized pores. Instantly, though, it made our skin more radiant. We liked the gel texture, which absorbed quickly and layered well with other products in our routine, never pilling or clumping. Who It's For: This formula features a powerhouse blend of skin-brightening ingredients—in addition to niacinamide, it contains known dark-spot-destroyers tranexamic acid and licorice root extract, as well as exfoliating phytic and mandelic acids to slough away discoloration. This makes it a must-try for those who are struggling with all forms of hyperpigmentation. However, it’s worth noting that this formula may be too strong for sensitive skin; it also contains fragrance which could sensitize reactive skin types, though we didn’t really notice a scent when testing it. Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, licorice root extract, phytic acid, mandelic acid|Fragrance-Free: No|Application: Morning and night|Size: 1.7 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Cara Milhaven PHOTO: InStyle / Cara Milhaven Cara, Dryness-prone Skin with Acne Scars | Tester: “I'm pleased with the results…I like that this faded my old acne scars and made my pores appear smaller….and made my skin look smoother overall.” Best Korean Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum PHOTO: Amazon $18 at Amazon $14 at Yesstyle.com View on Beautyofjoseon.com Why We Love It: Though this formula initially felt sticky on the skin, it absorbed very rapidly without leaving residue, instantly boosting hydration levels to leave our skin looking moist and soft. We thought it was very soothing and despite our highly sensitive skin, we never experienced any irritation. We also liked that it layered well with the other products in our routine. Who It's For: This is a nice option for those with sensitive skin because of the high concentration (60 percent!) of propolis extract, a resin-like material made by bees that has powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which supports the soothing benefits of niacinamide. It also contains hydrating sodium hyaluronate and glycerin, as well as brightening turmeric extract. The formula is quite clean, so those who are picky about the ingredients in their products will appreciate this, too. Key Ingredients: Propolis extract, sodium hyaluronate, turmeric extract|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 1 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Juliet Muir PHOTO: InStyle / Juliet Muir Juliet, Dry, Sensitive Skin | Tester: “I really like the product overall…I felt like my skin was bouncier after consistent use…there was no smell whatsoever, which was really nice, and the product in no way irritated my skin. I saw results mostly overnight when I woke up in the morning.” Best for Acne-Prone Skin Cosrx The Niacinamide 15 Serum PHOTO: Cosrx $20 at Amazon View on Nordstrom $25 at Ulta Why We Love It: We were wildly impressed by the results—we didn’t realize how well this formula worked until examining our before and after photos. We had significantly less breakouts while using this product than we usually did and dark spots seemed to disappear. Most noticeably, it erased acne scars that we’d had for years that we thought we’d need medical intervention to address. Though the packaging is small, only a dime-sized amount of the serum is needed for a full application and we had plenty of it left at the end of our testing period; we enjoyed that this product played well with the others in our daily routine. Who It's For: This is for someone who wants to dramatically transform acne-prone skin. The “15” in the name refers both to the steep percentage of niacinamide in the product as well as the number of ingredients in the bottle. Two of them are soothing allantoin and N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), a chemical found in the body that’s been proven to be a powerful skin brightener. It’s worth noting that all three of these ingredients are known for being well tolerated (or even comforting to the skin), so this product is worth a try by those that struggle with breakouts and have very sensitive skin. Key Ingredients: N-Acetylglucosamine, zinc, allantoin|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 0.67 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Drea Bocook PHOTO: InStyle / Drea Bocook Drea, Acne-scarred Skin with Large Pores | Tester: “I can't think of anything that I would change about this product…It is easy to use and has great results…This took care of some acne scarring that I really thought was going to be an issue and possibly need additional attention. My skin seemed to even out and looks healthy.” Best for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin Glossier Super Pure Serum with Niacinamide + Zinc PHOTO: Sephora $34 at Amazon $34 at Sephora $34 at Glossier.com Why We Love It: This formula was quite easy to integrate into our regular routine as it was featherlight and absorbed quickly—and while we didn’t think it was doing anything at first because it was so lightweight on the skin, we realized that wasn’t at all the case once we saw our selfies after testing. We loved the brightening and clarifying effects of this serum as well as how it provided ample hydration, even in winter. Our overall skin tone was improved, with less redness, and we had no breakouts throughout the entirety of the testing period. Who It's For: If you love a high-maintenance, multistep routine, this formula is made for you—it’s quite literally designed to be layered with a variety of serums, and features a water-like texture that absorbs rapidly and is undetectable on the skin. This aspect is also part of what makes it a nice pick for those with oily, acne-prone complexions; it’s refreshing and comfortable. The other reason it’s a good choice for those skin types is because of the inclusion of zinc in the formula, which helps tame excess oil and kill acne-causing bacteria. Key Ingredients: Glycerin, zinc, allantoin|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 1 oz InStyle / Jackie Cucco Jackie, Dry, Mature Skin with Large Pores | Tester: “It's the most lightweight, thin, and water-like product I've ever used…it still felt hydrating though. My skin looked brighter and clearer after using this product consistently, with lighter freckles/redness on my face and some slightly smoother texture on my forehead.” Best for Sensitive Skin Dr. Barbara Sturm Niacinamide Serum PHOTO: Sephora $160 at Amazon $160 at Sephora View on Drsturm.com Why We Love It: We refer to ourselves as an “acne survivor,” having completed three rounds of Accutane to clarify our skin. Though the treatment worked, it decimated our skin barrier, leaving our complexion very dry and easily irritated. Though we were wary of testing a new product for fear of a negative reaction, our skin adored this serum. For the first 10 days of testing, we noticed no change to our skin, but on the eleventh day, we woke up to dramatically better-looking skin—the best our skin had ever looked. Our complexion had a more even texture and tone and just an overall healthy glow—not grease, not oil, not shine, but a genuine, radiant glow. Who It's For: This is best for someone who has sensitive skin; while niacinamide has soothing properties, so do other actives in this product, including ectoin, purslane and marine plankton extracts, and fellow B vitamin panthenol. It’s also ideal for someone who isn’t on a budget, as it’s kind of pricey. That said, we loved how this formula made our skin look so much that we’d give up our lattes and avocado toast forever if we had to. Key Ingredients: Marine plankton extract, purslane extract, ectoin, panthenol|Fragrance-Free: No|Application: Morning and night|Size: 1 oz InStyle / Ali Webb Kaitlin, Very Sensitive, Redness-prone Skin | Tester: “My skin is deeply sensitive—it’s one of my life's biggest challenges—and shows its displeasure by making my face bright red for hours. This didn't happen one bit with the serum…My face felt calmer, less red, and my pores shrunk. It looked all around healthier…and was just bright and radiant, like I am a wellness icon.” Best for Pores Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment PHOTO: Amazon $55 at Amazon $55 at Sephora $55 at Dermstore Why We Love It: We saw a true difference in how this serum improved our skin’s plumpness, clarity, texture, and tone. It made our skin extremely clear—no breakouts, which isn’t typical for us—and our pores appeared much, much smaller. We combined the use of this serum with tretinoin, which absolutely transformed our regimen for the better. It had a clinical-grade feel to it, melting into our skin to revive it overnight to make it bouncy and smooth. Who It's For: Though our skin is sensitive, we didn’t experience any irritation from this 20 percent niacinamide serum—the highest concentration of the active on this list!—except when we layered it directly without prescription retinoid (we avoided that after the first few attempts), so those with sensitive skin can consider giving it a shot, especially because it also contains soothing allantoin, licorice root extract, ascorbyl glucoside, and epigallocatechin gallate, the latter of which have skin-brightening and antioxidant benefits. This makes it a good choice for those aiming to improve overall skin damage, especially that induced by UV exposure. Key Ingredients: Acetyl glucosamine, licorice root extract, epigallocatechin gallate|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 0.67 oz InStyle / Mollie Pendexter Mollie, Combination, Sensitive Skin | Tester: “This is the first niacinamide I've ever used that I feel truly works…this is a product I would buy on my own over and over after these results.” Best for Rosacea PCA SKIN Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum PHOTO: PCA SKIN $100 at Amazon $125 at Nordstrom $100 at Dermstore Why We Love It: The first thing we noticed about this formula is how quickly it absorbed—we time our morning routine down to the minute and incorporating this serum didn’t disrupt our schedule at all, sinking into our skin to deliver hydration within 30 seconds while making a nice canvas for subsequent skin care and makeup products. Though we’re prone to redness, this formula didn’t exacerbate it or cause any irritation. In fact, at the end of the testing period, we were surprised by how well this formula evened out our complexion. Who It's For: This is ideal for someone who wants to completely even out their skin tone—reduce dark spots, fade redness, brighten a sallow appearance—without causing sensitivity. Six percent niacinamide works to soothe the skin and calm redness while a blend of extracts (green tea, mulberry, and plankton) help brighten up discoloration. The formula is also hydrating, thanks to glycerin. Key Ingredients: Mulberry extract, plankton extract, glycerin|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Morning and night|Size: 1 oz InStyle / Danielle Yersin Danielle, Dry Skin with Severe Redness | Tester: “I really like how it felt on my skin…I was pleased with the results…I can tell that the dark spots are much less visible.” Best for Beginners Olay Super Serum PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon $44 at Ulta $22 at Walmart Why We Love It: This formula was easy to integrate into our routine, with a hydrating, slightly runny texture that absorbed as soon as we massaged it into our skin. While other serums we’ve tested have left our skin feeling dehydrated or sensitive to the sun if we weren’t religious about applying sunscreen on our face, this one actually smoothed away several long-standing dry patches in just a few days of use. It made our skin look and feel like we’d just gotten a moisturizing facial after every application, with a brighter tone instantly and over time. Who It's For: If you want a do-it-all serum that’ll make your skin look smoother and brighter with very little effort, this one’s for you. In addition to niacinamide, it features vitamin C and lactic acid to even out the skin’s tone and texture. But it’s also worth noting this formula offers a subtly luminous finish, which is what delivers that immediate radiance upon application. We loved it (it wasn’t sparkly at all) but it may not be for everyone. Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, collagen peptide, lactic acid|Fragrance-Free: No|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 1 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Sheila Tong PHOTO: InStyle / Sheila Tong Sheila, Combination Skin with Dry Patches | Tester: “I was surprised by and happy with how well this product absorbed and worked on my skin—it’s a product I would repurchase or gladly recommend to a friend. My skin looked more hydrated, brighter, and softer, and felt plumper.” Best Dermatologist-Tested SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 Face Cream with Niacinamide PHOTO: SkinCeuticals $130 at Dermstore $130 at Skinceuticals.com $130 at Bluemercury.com Why We Love It: Melasma is notoriously challenging to treat, but this potent formula from SkinCeuticals was up to the challenge. The serum was able to brighten up some of our darker patches of melasma in addition to smoothing out fine lines, making our skin look brighter and healthier overall. The gel serum also gave our skin a matte finish (which we appreciated!) that looked good when worn solo or under makeup. Who It's For: Beyond the fact that it’s a nice choice for those looking to address discoloration (including melasma!) and uneven texture, SkinCeuticals is one of those brands that’s beloved by dermatologists, so give this one a shot if you want a gold star at your next appointment. Like all the products from this company, this serum is formulated with well-studied and hardworking ingredients, including three firming peptides and five percent niacinamide. It’s also clinically tested. Key Ingredients: Peptide blend, glycerin, algae extract|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Morning and night|Size: 1.7 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Hilary Braaksma PHOTO: InStyle / Hilary Braaksma Hilary, Dry Skin with Melasma | Tester: “I noticed more change to my skin texture and fine lines using this than I have with other products…my skin brightened and I noticed some fading of the darker melasma spots on my skin. Day to day, I didn't notice much difference, but with consistent use, there is payoff in vibrancy, texture, and discoloration.” Best Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Serum Westman Atelier Skin Activator Serum with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide PHOTO: Westman Atelier $189 at Amazon $125 at Nordstrom $125 at Sephora Why We Love It: We were instantly drawn to this treatment due to its unique and luxe packaging—a refillable canister topped with a cooling rollerball that helped spread the serum across our face (without wasting any on our fingertips!) while depuffing and debloating, which we especially appreciated in the mornings. We genuinely looked forward to using this product every day as a little self-care moment. But it was the results that had us coming back for more: noticeably brighter, smoother, and more hydrated skin that had an effortless glow. Who It's For: Try this formula if you have very dry skin that’s in need of a brightening boost. In addition to niacinamide and peptides to illuminate and smooth, it contains four different forms of hyaluronic acid to deliver deep hydration to multiple layers of the skin. It also features ceramides to help condition and soften. Key Ingredients: Ceramides, four types of hyaluronic acid, peptides, adenosine|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Morning and night|Size: 0.67 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Joie Probst PHOTO: InStyle / Joie Probst PHOTO: InStyle / Joie Probst Joie, Combination Skin | Tester: “I was super pleased with the results after consistently using this serum. The product did more than I was even expecting and really made a difference to my overall complexion—making it glow! I could honestly see results even after the first use and from there, it consistently helped keep my skin glowing and moisturized during the height of a Midwest winter.” Best for Dry Skin Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops PHOTO: Sephora $34 at Amazon $20 at Sephora $20 at Glowrecipe.com Why We Love It: We’ll admit that we enjoyed how this product made our skin feel so much that we often slicked on more than necessary. (It's very cooling and smooth as you apply it, and once it absorbed, it left our skin feeling very soft, hydrated, and illuminated…we actually wanted to touch our face throughout the day because of this!) Despite that, though, it never made our skin feel sticky or tacky, just comfortable and fully hydrated. It also provided a pretty radiance and, with regular use, made our complexion more even. Who It's For: Because of the blend of hydrating watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and moringa seed oil, this is an ideal choice for someone who has dry skin and is looking for more moisture without weighing down their skin. It’s also a nice pick for someone that wants instantly glowy skin, which comes courtesy of all that hydration rather than any shimmer or pearlescence. Lastly, it’s for someone that doesn’t mind fragrance. It’s only 0.5 percent natural fragrance, and it didn’t irritate our skin, but the serum does smell like watermelon candy (we loved this, to be honest). Key Ingredients: Watermelon, hyaluronic acid, moringa seed oil|Fragrance-Free: No|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 1.35 oz InStyle / Arnesia Young Arnesia, Dry Skin with Hyperpigmentation | Tester: “Overall, my skin looked brighter and healthier. I struggled a bit with some texture issues in my skin over the course of testing, and anytime I used this, it helped to smooth it out and make it appear much more even…and just more dewy and glowy.” Best for Uneven Skin Tone Alpyn Beauty Wild Nettle & Niacinamide PHOTO: Sephora $58 at Amazon $58 at Sephora $58 at QVC Why We Love It: This silky, lightweight gel works similar to a gentle retinol, giving our skin an instant radiance while providing a noticeable tightening effect—and it improved the firmness of our skin throughout the testing period. We’re confident that contributed to the smoothing of the fine lines around our eyes, which helped us look more revitalized and awake. Though our skin is prone to acne, this formula never irritated our skin, and it did a great job moisturizing our dry patches without feeling heavy. Who It's For: This is best for someone who wants to treat the effects of aging as one of the star ingredients, rambutan, is considered a retinol alternative (just like bakuchiol) and helps smooth and brighten the skin (as does niacinamide, of course). It’s also one to consider if you’re passionate about sustainability. In addition to being packaged in a fully recyclable component, the serum features sustainably harvested plant extracts. Key Ingredients: Nettle extract, rambutan extract, squalane|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 1 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Chantia Murphy PHOTO: InStyle / Chantia Murphy Chantia, Combination Skin with Old Acne Scars | Tester: “The serum did an excellent job in improving the texture of my skin [and] I am very pleased with how vibrant my skin looks now…my friends also weren't telling me I look tired and sleepy as much as they used to.” Best Hydrating First Aid Beauty Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon $42 at Nordstrom $42 at Nordstrom Why We Love It: Our skin is prone to dryness in winter, which is when we tested this formula, and we greatly appreciated how it immediately left our skin feeling significantly more hydrated as well as revitalized due to a subtle and soothing cooling sensation. It also made for a wonderful foundation base, and could very see a clear difference in the appearance of our skin on days we skipped this serum—it made our skin look more lively. Though we wouldn’t say it dramatically faded our dark spots, it did leave our complexion looking more even overall, and at no point did it cause any irritation (which we’ve experienced from other products in the past). Who It's For: We felt this was a great product for beginners, especially those wanting more hydrated and healthier-looking skin, as it seamlessly integrated into our routine and wasn’t too much of a splurge. In addition to being a niacinamide serum, it also functions as a vitamin C serum of sorts as it contains kakadu plum, a potent antioxidant that contains 75 times more vitamin C than oranges. It’s also best for someone who doesn’t mind a bit of pearlescence in their skin care—there’s mica in the formula, which gives your skin a radiant finish. Key Ingredients: Glycerin, kakadu plum, mica|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Morning and night|Size: 1 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Gibreel Martinez PHOTO: InStyle / Gibreel Martinez Gibreel, Combination Skin | Tester: “I was pleased with the overall results. I do see myself repurchasing this product because of the way it wears and feels on the skin…my skin looked brighter and even glowy upon the first use, but after two weeks, I noticed a consistently clearer complexion.” Best for Redness Typology 12% Niacinamide Serum PHOTO: Typology View on Typology.com Why We Love It: This serum is very simple (just 10 ingredients!), but it delivered serious results. Before testing this formula, one of our biggest gripes about our skin was its inconsistent tone, most notably our redness, and this formula dramatically evened everything out, calming redness and fading dark spots. Though it contains a high concentration of niacinamide, we experienced zero irritation while testing this product (and a little of it went quite a long way). Who It's For: This is ideal for someone who wants a fuss-free and effective formula to even out their skin tone. The only real active in this serum is the 12 percent niacinamide, but because the ingredient is such a powerhouse, you’ll see a transformation in your skin. The glass packaging is also recyclable. Key Ingredients: Niacinamide|Fragrance-Free: No|Application: Morning and night|Size: 1 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Taylor McIntyre PHOTO: InStyle / Taylor McIntyre Taylor, Combination Skin with Some Discoloration | Tester: “Looking back at the before photos, I was shocked at how much the color in my face evened out. My skin is less red and my sun spots have faded…I noticed a slight change in the fine lines around my eyes…My skin just looks more even overall.” Best for Glowing Skin Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops PHOTO: Drunk Elephant $38 at Amazon $38 at Sephora $38 at Ulta Why We Love It: We were admittedly skeptical of this product after initially seeing the golden pearlescence of the formula (it looks more like a highlighter than a serum), but we fell in love with its instant and lasting effects. Just a pea-sized amount was enough to cover our entire face and add a radiant (not sparkly) glow. Over the course of the testing period, we observed our skin getting brighter and smoother, with fewer hormonal breakouts and reduced discoloration left behind by any errant pimples. Who It's For: This is absolutely for someone that wants something of a makeup-skin care hybrid, as the formula adds a golden glow to the skin. But if you’re looking to use it as a makeup alternative, that works, too—the nourishing properties provided by the squalane and jojoba oil make it a great substitute for a tinted moisturizer. It’s also worth trying if you don’t want to take any products out of your existing regimen, as it’s meant to be mixed with your favorite serums, creams, or oils. Key Ingredients: Diglucosyl gallic acid, squalane, mulberry leaf extract|Fragrance-Free: Yes|Application: Once or twice daily|Size: 1 oz PHOTO: InStyle / Taylor McIntyre PHOTO: InStyle / Alexa Jade Frankelis Alexa, Uneven Combination Skin with Large Pores | Tester: “I am very happy with the results! The product looked very cosmetic to me when first using it—I thought it would have no effect on my skin, but in the end, it helped even more problems than it advertises.” What to Keep in Mind Skin Concern: There’s a reason you’re seeing niacinamide everywhere these days—it’s a great multitasker. “It can help with oil regulation, barrier function, aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, and eczema,” says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., FAAD, who adds that this multitasking ingredient can also reduce redness and provide free radical defense. “It's great for improving both tone and texture.”With consistent use of a good niacinamide serum, you should see clearer, smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin that’s able to stay hydrated longer, is less prone to irritation, and has less noticeable pores.Knowing that niacinamide can do all of this on its own, you should select a niacinamide serum based on the additional ingredients in the formula. While you may have some specific concerns in mind that you’d like to address, it never hurts to see a dermatologist, who can weigh in on how best to achieve your skin goals. “If you don't have any specific concerns, then a hydrating serum would be a nice place to start,” adds Dr. King. Supporting Ingredients: Generally speaking, says Dr. King, niacinamide plays well with most other ingredients, making it an easy addition to any skin care routine. Victoria Fu, cosmetic chemist and co-founder of the Chemist Confessions podcast, says the ingredient “has been tested in combination with many of the major skin care actives such as retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), and vitamin C, and found to be safe and effective.” All of our experts suggested looking for humectants like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and polyglutamic acid, as well as ceramides and panthenol, if you’re hoping to help support your skin barrier.Look for the best-supporting ingredients and the benefits they provide below that align with your skin care goals. Anti-aging: “Niacinamide with retinol is a fantastic combo that can help minimize retinol-induced irritation while enhancing skin-brightening effects,” says Fu. Discoloration: One or a blend of several brightening ingredients, tranexamic acid, vitamin C, diglucosyl gallic acid, or kojic acid, gently exfoliates while niacinamide rebalances the skin barrier. Acne: “Zinc is often paired with niacinamide to help with acne and inflammation due to its soothing and sebum-regulating properties,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Concentration: Serums on our list have niacinamide concentrations all the way up to 20 percent, but Fu says that more isn’t always more. “There isn’t any testing that shows using niacinamide at higher concentrations would provide additional benefits,” she says. Instead, she suggests formulas with concentrations between two and five percent; don’t be fooled by the lower concentration, they’re still plenty strong and will flood skin with all of niacinamide’s famous benefits.For super sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, Dr. Murphy-Rose takes precaution even further with a warning to stay below three percent. “I can tell you anecdotally that five percent is too high for many,” she says. “Using a serum with too much niacinamide can lead to skin irritation, redness, and a temporary burning sensation.”However, Fu says chemists love formulating new skin care with niacinamide because it’s so easy to pair with other actives and it’s generally well tolerated by most skin types. On the flip side, niacinamide ends up in a surprising amount of products, meaning that you could be—albeit, unknowingly—layering way too much onto skin. “If you develop a sudden case of irritation without changing up your routine all that much, definitely give all your products' ingredient lists a quick scan to see if you're unknowingly layering five or more different products made with niacinamide,” she says. If you’re overdoing it, simplify your routine and keep the strongest concentrations to every other day use. Formula Texture: Cloudy-looking and slightly thicker than water-feeling, niacinamide can be used in anything from creams to gels to water-based formulas. “Most actives definitely come with their own unique set of quirks, so textures can become important in order to achieve the desired skin benefit,” says Fu, but niacinamide isn’t one of them.“Lightweight, watery or gel-like formulas may be better for oily and acne-prone skin as they absorb quickly without adding excess oil,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Meanwhile, “thicker and more opaque formulations tend to have more emollients in them,” says Dr. King. “Emollients support the skin barrier and are helpful for any skin type, and particularly important for more dry and sensitive skin types.” Your Questions, Answered How to use niacinamide serum? According to Fu, niacinamide serums tend to be water-based, giving the consistency a lightweight, slightly thicker than water feel, so it should be applied as the first step of your skin care routine after washing your face (and toning, if you partake). Layering your products in order from lightest to heaviest will ensure proper absorption of all your actives; if you put a water-based serum on top of an oil, it won’t be able to get through. “Apply a few drops to the face and neck, and gently pat it into the skin until fully absorbed, then apply next steps in your routine,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. When to use niacinamide serum? “Niacinamide is not known to cause any sort of photosensitivity, so you can use it both day and night,” says Fu. It’s also not light sensitive, meaning the ingredient won’t be rendered inactive if it’s exposed to UV. Just remember that if you’re applying your niacinamide serum in the morning, don’t forget to finish your routine with SPF—you don’t want to undo all your hard work of combating sun damage. If you’d rather reserve niacinamide for evening use, you’re in good company. “I particularly like to use it at night with a retinoid, because it can help counteract the dryness and irritation that can be caused by retinoids,” says Dr. King. Is it okay to use niacinamide serum every day? “It does not tend to cause irritation or inflammation, and results will be improved with regular use,” Dr. King says of the ingredient—so long as you’re using the right concentration. Start low and work your way up; most people won’t need a formula that features a concentration above five percent. What not to pair with niacinamide? In theory, you can use any of your go-to active ingredients with niacinamide. However, it’s worth noting that niacinamide is most stable in a higher pH formula, says Dr Murphy-Rose, so it may not be the best match for ingredients that tend to be formulated into products at a more acidic pH, like vitamin C. “While not harmful, ascorbic acid and niacinamide may become less effective if combined in the same product,” she explains. If you’re unsure, consider applying your vitamin C serum in the morning and your niacinamide serum at night, says Dr. King. Why Shop With Us Emily Orofino is a beauty writer, editor, and consultant with nearly 15 years of experience in the industry. She was long skeptical of niacinamide until she read a great deal of the research on the ingredient while working for a dermatologist. For this story, she tapped the expertise of board-certified dermatologists Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose and Dr. Hadley King as well as cosmetic chemist Victoria Fu to break down exactly what makes up a solid niacinamide serum. 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