While vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums get a lot of attention, there’s a dark horse out there by the name of niacinamide. The best niacinamide serums can actually tackle a wide range of concerns, from dark spots and hyperpigmentation to dryness and redness. Plus, the ingredient is suitable for just about every skin type out there (we’re talking oily, pimple-prone and even incredibly sensitive).
To help you find the right one to slot into your skin care routine, we polled both dermatologists and our expert Glamour editorial team for their tried-and-true favorites. Collectively, we spent weeks testing the best ones on all different skin types, including dry, oily, sensitive, and acne-prone. Our top pick overall is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% because it’s extremely affordable, helps clarify uneven skin tone and texture, and reduces the appearance of discoloration and acne scars. Scroll ahead for the rest of our niacinamide picks for oily, dry, mature skin and more.
The best niacinamide serums, at a glance
Featured in this article
How we tested niacinamide serums
We tested niacinamide serums by evaluating their texture, ingredients, and how they made our skin look and feel. The best ones were nonsticky and lightweight (never goopy) and gave us a smooth, clarified complexion that served as a great base for makeup. We chose multitaskers that had other ingredients like exfoliating acids and antioxidants like vitamins C and E to achieve brighter, more even-toned and textured skin. The serums that rose to the top gave us resilient soft skin, with minimal discoloration after testing for at least a month.
Best Overall: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Original photo from Denise Primbet testing The Ordinary Niacinamide
- What we love: Great for uneven skin textures; budget-friendly
- What could improve: Some users say it causes redness
This niacinamide serum sits at the top of our list because it’s affordable and well-beloved by Glamour editors and contributors, as well as dermatologists. Pooja Rambhia, MD and board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New Jersey is a fan, and shares that it’s one she recommends to her patients often. “This serum is an affordable and effective option that helps regulate oil production and minimize the appearance of pores. I like how straightforward the formulation is, which makes it easy to layer with other products,” she says.
“This serum does it all,” says Glamour contributor Denise Primbet. “While it helps clarify skin and address blemishes and acne-prone skin—since it decreases oil production—it can also work to reduce the appearance of acne scars too. It’s also been shown to actually support the skin barrier, in case you’re worried about potential irritation.”
Best for Dark Spots: La Roche Posay Mela B Serum
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing La Roche Posay Mela B Serum
- What we love: The texture is lightweight and easy to massage in
- What could improve: The fragrance can be a bit much
Niacinamide is best known as a brightening ingredient. (It interferes with the transfer of melanin, or pigment, in the skin—meaning any melanin created from sun exposure or inflammation doesn’t make it to your skin’s surface.) This particular serum, recommended by Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and MOHS surgeon in New York and New Jersey, puts that feature to work to deliver antiaging benefits, reducing the number, size, and color of dark spots, sun spots, and other types of discoloration. Since it’s an antioxidant, it’ll also keep free radicals from further damaging skin. Plus, it offers hyaluronic acid with the brand’s soothing thermal water to keep skin calm.
“This lightweight serum has done wonders in reducing my dark spots and the stubborn post-acne marks around my nose, chin, and cheeks. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel sticky—instead, it gives me a fresh, bright glow and over time (I’ve been using it on and off for about a year now) I’ve noticed my skin is more even-toned. The only thing I’m not crazy about is the fact that it’s fragranced, but otherwise, my skin drinks it up,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Hydro Boost + 10% Niacinamide Serum
Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Neutrogena Hydro Boost + Niacinamide Fragrance Free Serum
- What we love: The texture doesn’t feel sticky; the applicator makes it easy to dispense the right amount
- What could improve: It can take a few weeks to see results
Dullness is no match for this serum, which pairs hyaluronic acid (a mainstay in the brand’s Hydro Boost collection) with 10% niacinamide to address lackluster skin and even out texture. The combination of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide work together to prevent evaporation of moisture from the skin into the environment, Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut, explains. We love that the formula is fragrance-free and contains no parabens or phthalates—ideal for sensitive skin.
“This is a great beginner-friendly niacinamide serum. I recently had a breakout and have been using fewer products, but still was able to use this serum because it’s sensitive skin-friendly. It absorbs quickly and adds a nice glow. The only downside is that it does pill with my makeup, so I would recommend only using it at night,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Best for Brightening: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Original video from Robyn Eugene testing Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
- What we love: The versatile formula gives you multiple ways to use it
- What could improve: It’s not ideal for oily skin
