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12 best niacinamide serums for soothing redness, fighting breakouts and brightening the skin
Say it with me "Ni-A-Cin-A-Mide"
I'll admit it, when it comes to refining my skincare routine I find it tricky to narrow down my wish list. But one ingredient I'll never skip? A niacinamide serum (aka vitamin B3).
Yup, whilst I love my vitamin C for getting a glow, hyaluronic acid for moisturising and retinol for targeting those ever-present fine lines, niacinamide has become my go-to for preventing breakouts and brightening up my skin. And I'm not alone, the ingredient has been growing in popularity as more and more beauty brands embrace its benefits.
If you're thinking about adding a little niacinamide to your skincare shelfie, here's all you need to know...
The best niacinamide serums
What is niacinamide?
Let's get down to the details, what actually is niacinamide? "Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, which has a wide range of excellent benefits for the skin" explains Dr Mary Sommerlad, Consultant Dermatologist for the online dermatology platform, Dermatica.
It's most commonly used in serums and can be found in percentages of 4%, 10% and 20%. "It is generally very well tolerated by all skin types however, I would always suggest using a lower percentage as a leave-on product if you have never tried it before" says Sommerlad.
What does niacinamide do to the skin?
Turns out, it does quite a lot. "Firstly, it can help treat acne by balancing oil production, reducing inflammation and helping even out skin tone imbalance," says Sommerlad.
"It can also help those with eczema as it supports the skin barrier, helps boost hydration and is anti-inflammatory. Finally, it's also great for those interested in reducing the signs of premature ageing, as it works to minimise pore size, even out pigmentation and smooth out fine lines."
BTW, our Beauty Special dedicated to skincare is on newsstands on the 27th of August. Don’t miss your chance to grab our beauty bible full of skincare tips and product recs for now to keep forever.
Cosmo's top niacinamide serums
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Pros
- Improves the appearance of pores
- Smooths texture and pigmentation
- Affordable
- Most skin types get along with it, even the sensitive souls
Cons
- Can pill when combined with other skincare products
The OG of niacinamide serums, you could argue that The Ordinary made this relatively unheard of ingredient, an in-demand elixir for anyone looking to overhaul their complexion. With 10% niacinamide and 1% Zinc PCA, it will certainly keep sebum under control and minimise breakouts.
Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Pros
- Improves brightness and overall skin texture
- Shrinks the appearance of pores
- Potent 20% formula, so you're getting the most for your £
Cons
- High concentration may not be suitable for reactive skin types
- 💰
The heftiest dose of niacinamide I've ever come across, this treatment claims to dramatically refine the look of uneven texture and visible pores (where do we sign up?).
The hero ingredient is paired with an antioxidant blend of liquorice extract and vitamin C, to brighten and refine the skin tone and texture.
Simple Booster Serum 10% Niacinamide
Pros
- Gentle formula, making it a great choice for all skin types
- Hydrates and nourishes the skin
- Helps to improve texture and post-acne marks
- Affordable
Cons
- The gentle formula may not be effective on some skin types
A simple (sorry) way to introduce niacinamide into your routine is to use this Booster Serum, which also contains vitamin B5 to protect and hydrate the skin barrier.
At the same time, the star ingredient controls sebum production and reduces enlarged pores. Apply directly onto the skin or dispense a few drops into your favourite moisturiser.
Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum
Pros
- Lightweight consistency instantly sinks into the skin
- Helps soothe sensitive skin
- Targets large pores, excess oil production and uneven texture
Cons
- 💰
Sunday Riley's B3 Nice niacinamide serum is a real powerhouse. It may have a liquid consistency – making it super refreshing to apply – but it's brimmed with potent ingredients to fade redness and pigmentation and reduce the appearance of pores.
Sunday also created the serum for her daughter who struggled with acne and post-blemish scarring at the time, so you can trust that it will look after and nourish the skin without irritating.
Effaclar Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin
Pros
- Targets post-acne scars and marks
- Regulates sebum production, minimising blemishes
- Suitable for oily skin types
Cons
- 💰
- May be too potent for sensitive skin types
There's a reason why La Roche Posay is always a go-to for great skincare. Not only does this serum contain niacinamide, but it's also packed with salicylic acid, LHA and glycolic acid, making it the perfect formula for decongesting pores and preventing future breakouts.
Niacinamide Serum
Pros
- Formulated with hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated
- Simple ingredients list, making it a good choice for sensitive skin
- Minimises the appearance of pores
- Affordable
Cons
- The dispenser can sometimes lead to spilling
This is one of the best niacinamide serums on a budget. The £10 serum contains 10% Niacinamide to reduce excess oil, blemishes and redness, along with 1% hyaluronic acid, to deliver hydration to the skin and keep it from getting dry or tight.
Beauty Pie Superdrops™ Brightening Niacinamide (10%)
Pros
- Brightens and fades pigmentation
- Contains evermat which helps to minimise the appearance of pores
- Sinks into the skin without leaving a tacky residue
Cons
- Takes consistent use to see results
Members price: £15
With a hefty 10% niacinamide, this serum is one of the most effective formulas around – it helps strengthen the skin’s barrier and promotes elasticity. The formula also helps reduce the appearance of pores while refining and smoothing skin. It's £30 for non-members but just £15 for members. You can get 30 days free membership below.
Brightening Serum
Pros
- Contains tri-ceramides to hydrate and protect the skin barrier
- Promotes a brighter and more unified complexion
- Lightweight formula instantly sinks into the skin
- Affordable
Cons
- Contains a smaller percentage of niacinamide compared to other formulas
Yes, this beauty contains our favourite ingredient, niacinamide, but that's just the tip of the iceberg: it's also packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and a blend of skin-barrier boosting tri-ceramide complexes.
It's a brilliant all-rounder for brighter, hydrated skin. Oh, and did I mention it's also oil-free, non-comedogenic, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, vegan and cruelty-free.
Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
Pros
- Contains a high percentage of niacinamide to balance sebum production
- Zinc helps to minimise pores and refine texture
- Gel-like texture feels refreshing on the skin
- Affordable
Cons
- Some may experience an initial purge after use
It's hard not to be a Naturium fan-girl tbh, with affordable price points, quality ingredients and beaut packaging, the brand has fast become a go-to on the Cosmopolitan beauty desk.
Of course, this serum is no exception, with a whopping 12% niacinamide, plus 2% zinc, this minimises pores and helps to smooth the skin, whilst balancing oil production – win, win.
Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Pros
- Can be mixed with foundation or moisturiser to enhance glow
- Refines texture and smooths pores
- Large bottle (40ml) which lasts
Cons
- May love or hate the watermelon scent
- Can feel slightly tacky on the skin
Not just a pretty face, this Insta-worthy serum has an impressive ingredients line up. Inspired by South Korean skin care, the formula is designed to give you an intense glow instantly, whilst niacinamide works to brighten the complexion over time.
Glossier Super Pure
Pros
- Zinc helps to smooth texture and the appearance of pores
- Helps to reduce redness
- Lightweight formula instantly sinks into the skin
Cons
- Contains a smaller percentage of niacinamide compared to other formulas
Formulated with 5% niacinamide, Glossier's offering is a little more gentle than most, making it a better option for people with sensitised skin or dry complexions. Along with niacinamide, it also contains Zinc PCA, to help decongest pores without being overly drying.
Discoloration Defense Corrective Serum
Pros
- Powerhouse for fading acne marks and discolouration
- Contains tranexamic acid to manage pigmentation and promote an even skin tone
- Contains 5% hepes, a chemical exfoliate, to slough away dead skin cells
Cons
- 💰💰
With a whole powerhouse of incredible ingredients, this serum has been clinically proven to minimise the appearance of skin discolouration.
Yes, it has 5% niacinamide for brightening and minimising pores, but it also has 8% Tranexamic Acid which has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the skin.
How does niacinamide work?
Well, that all sounds pretty wonderful, but how does it tick all those boxes? "Niacinamide boosts the skin's natural production of ceramides (which are lipids that help form the skin's barrier and help retain moisture)", explains Sommerlad. "It also has antioxidant properties and stimulates keratinocytes (the primary type of cell found in the epidermis), both of these actions help maintain and enhance the skin barrier."
How often should I use niacinamide?
"You can use Niacinamide in your morning or evening routine. Apply it after cleansing the skin and before applying your moisturiser.", Sommerlad summarises.
Victoria Jowett is an award-winning journalist and the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work in beauty journalism and oversees the skincare, hair, makeup and fragrance content across all of Cosmopolitan’s platforms. She's worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years (and tested 1000s of products), making her an expert when it comes to recommending beauty brands that truly work. Having started her career working weekends on a makeup counter, Victoria began interning at the likes of AnOther and IDOL magazine, before landing her first Beauty Writer job at weekly fashion magazine, LOOK. Joining Cosmopolitan in 2016, Victoria has always remained a beauty fanatic and has been lucky enough to interview everyone from Britney Spears to Kourtney Kardashian about their beauty routines. Follow her on LinkedIn.
Clare Stephenson is a Beauty Ecommerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Red and Good Housekeeping, covering all things makeup, skincare and hair care, as well as deals events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
Clare has been an ecommerce writer since 2022, writing matter-of-fact reviews such as deep dives into skin concerns and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need.
Before working at Hearst UK, she received a BA degree in Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on the world of magazines and editorial. From there, she worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events like Fashion Week and interviewing reputable brand founders, including Rea Ann Silva creator of Beautyblender.
When she’s not testing the latest and greatest products, you can find Clare sifting through vintage clothing stores in the city or horseback riding in the countryside.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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