Best niacinamide serum | What is niacinamide and how to use it

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Best for hyperpigmentation

La Roche-Posay MelaB3 Serum Intense Anti-Dark Spot Serum

La Roche Posay's latest innovation is a pigmentation serum that works harder than most. Combining 10 per cent niacinamide with a new, trademarked molecule, Mela B3, it sets to work blocking melanin before it develops into visible pigment, rather than simply correcting it once the damage has been done.

Best for stressed skin

Vichy Mineral 89 Probiotic Fractions

Designed especially for challenged, reactive skin, this watery serum contains four per cent niacinamide to reduce inflammation alongside probiotics to boost the skin barrier. It's free from alcohol, fragrance and silicones, and feels instantly cooling on irritated, acneic and rosacea-prone skin

Best for enlarged pores

Paula's Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment

This advanced niacinamide serum from the ever-efficacious Paula's Choice offers a higher-than-most dose of niacinamide, yet is carefully formulated so any skin type can benefit from it without the risk of irritation. Trust it to clarify congested pores, brighten skin and balance oil production, all while fortifying your all-important skin barrier.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best for dehydrated skin

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial

With our routines becoming increasingly potent, it's hardly surprising so many of us are experiencing skin-barrier breakdowns. If an overly potent acid or vitamin-based product has left your face feeling irritated or unbalanced, consider this your crisis-point replenisher.

The rich, almost gel-like overnight mask uses squalane, niacinamide and jojoba oil to soothe and repair dehydrated skin by morning.

Best for blemishes

Medik8 Clarity Peptides

A light and milky serum, this one is ideal for calming down inflamed blemishes without drying out the skin. It contains a high 10 per cent concentration of niacinamide, as well as bacteria-reducing zinc, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and brightening peptides.

Best for before make-up

REN Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Smooth, Prep & Plump Essence

Foundation always looks best when applied to calm and hydrated skin – and when it comes to make-up prep, REN is up to the task.

The latest addition to the Perfect Canvas range is the very best yet. This watery essence is simple but brilliant: it contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and biome-feeding ferments to deliver an instant plumping effect alongside long-term barrier benefits. All skin types will enjoy this one: press it onto clean skin (the huge bottle will last for months) before moisturiser and make-up.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best for clarifying

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

This affordable yet effective niacinamide serum is boosted with zinc, so works especially well on congested skin and overly enlarged pores. It's gel-like and fast-absorbing, so ideal for anyone who likes to keep things light. Give it four weeks of consistent use to see brighter, clearer skin.

We also love Naturium's Niacinamide Gel Cream 5%, a winner in the Bazaar Best of Beauty Awards. With potent level of niacinamide, the balancing gel is perfect for dehydrated and acne-prone skin types alike.

Best for post-inflammatory pigmentation

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Corrective Serum

Here's another brightening serum we recommend to those hoping to tackle pigmentation: be it sun spots, post-acne marks or melasma. Powerful brightening agent tranexamic acid is combined with exfoliating sulfonic acid and niacinamide to unify skin swiftly. Use it as a spot treatment or apply all-over.

Best for dehydrated, sensitive skin

Reome Active Recovery Broth

Niacinamide is the third ingredient to appear in the inci list of Reome's debut serum, which may explain why it makes such a brilliant remedy for temperamental skin.

That's not all this stellar formula has to boast about, though: founder Joanna Ellner has thought beyond the obvious ingredients to make this complex cocktail uniquely effective. The hyaluronic acid is fractionated to aid absorption, while snow mushroom bolsters the moisture-boosting properties and a host of bio-ferments feed a struggling skin barrier.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best for a quick fix

Révive Masque de Brilliance Resurfacing Multi-Acid Mask

Studies have shown that the stability of niacinamide is unaffected by the presence of acids, meaning you can combine the two in one effective formula.

The cocktail of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids might take the headline spot here, but there's a dose of niacinamide in this treatment that ensures it can resurface dull skin without denigrating the skin barrier.

This potent brightening mask will perk skin up in as little as five minutes, fading away congestion and excess oil to leave your complexion bright and even.

Best for the body

Joonbyrd Little Love Body Lotion

Joonbyrd probably isn't quite what you'd expect from a dermatologist-owned brand: but Dr. Alexis Granite isn't your usual skin doctor. Indulgently scented and beautifully packaged, this active-led body treatment combines a gourmand fragrance and luxurious texture with ingredients that do really good things for your skin: think niacinamide, brightening lutein and calming ashwagandha.

Best for dry skin

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask

While a niacinamide-based serum remains your best bet for sustained skin benefits, a supercharged mask makes a great short-cut for bringing tired complexions back to life.

This is the formula that put Summer Fridays firmly on the skincare map: loaded with hydrating humectants, smoothing emollients and brightening niacinamide, it's a powerful quick-fix (and ideal for long-haul flights, too).

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best for sun protection

111Skin Repair Sunscreen SPF50+

Trust 111 Skin to develop a face SPF that does more than simply protect your skin. This anticipated addition to the brand's cult Repair collection contains niacinamide to control pores and sebum production and glutathione to energise the skin cells' reparative action.

Best for scalp care

Grow Gorgeous Prebiotic and Niacinamide 10% Booster

Niacinamide is a great ingredient to use on the scalp, too, as it has the potential to help hydrate, rebalance oil production and – in turn – restore volume at the roots of the hair. This smart formulation from Grow Gorgeous also harnesses a rebalancing prebiotic, to further promote a healthy environment for hair growth.

Watch Next

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfqrhwrsSarK2xX6i4qrrCmqmeZ5dogHR8l2ppb2eenq6ktc2apKKclWLArLXNnJirnV8%3D