Serums, toners, sunscreens and more that feature niacinamide for a range of skin concerns
Dealing with, well, pretty much any kind of complexion concern? Odds are good that niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a solution—it can do pretty much anything and everything. “Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient that’s beneficial for a wide range of skin conditions,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez of Riverchase Dermatology, adding that it helps the skin produce more ceramides, ingredients that are essential for maintaining a strong and healthy skin barrier.
As if that wasn’t enough, niacinamide is also anti-inflammatory, great for those with acne, and can help combat hyperpigmentation2 and even help smooth lines and wrinkles3. We love that it’s gentle enough for those with sensitive skin, making it a versatile staple in your beauty cabinet.
We conducted hours of research on the best niacinamide products, evaluating each formula on the type, skin benefits, and how effective it is in delivering results. After consulting with a board-certified dermatologist, and considering dozens of different formulas, we landed on the following best in show.
Best Overall: Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
This mix-in is the perfect way to work niacinamide into your existing skincare routine. The name says it all: You get a potent 10% concentration of niacinamide in a lightweight booster that also touts a few other key ingredients. There are skin-soothers such as licorice root and allantoin, plus antioxidant-rich vitamin C. The formula is super sheer and works great on its own, though you can also mix in a few drops into your favorite serum or moisturizer.
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3
Here, niacinamide is paired with retinol, another skincare heavy-hitter, to create an effective anti-aging formula. It’s ideal for both smoothing and hydrating the skin—plus, not only do niacinamide and retinol work synergistically, but the former helps counteract the potentially drying side effects of the latter.
Best Serum: Glossier Super Pure
“A 5 percent concentration of niacinamide is combined with zinc, making this a great serum to help combat bacteria and acne,” says Gonzalez of another one of her faves. But even if you’re not prone to breakouts, it’s a great choice because it balances, smoothes, and hydrates the skin. Gonzalez also points out that it has an almost water-like texture that absorbs quickly without ever feeling sticky or tacky and layers nicely with other serums and moisturizers, a boon for those who like to mix and match.
Best Moisturizer: Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
A true all-in-one, this moisturizer both effectively moisturizes and helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide is at the top of the ingredient list (a tell-tale sign that you’re getting an effective amount in the formula), and it’s also paired with hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin-smoothing and firming peptides too. It’s no surprise that this is a total cult classic.
Best Sunscreen: Colorescience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50
Pricey, yes, but Gonzalez says this multitasking sunscreen is worth every penny. Along with being a mineral sunscreen that’s gentle on sensitive skin, niacinamide helps to tamp down redness and inflammation1. Bonus points for the subtle green tint that instantly neutralizes ruddiness, a great choice for those with rosacea, she says. Although its texture is thicker than other products on this list, for a mineral sunscreen, this is somewhat unavoidable.
Best Night Cream: EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer
Gonzalez is a fan of this PM powerhouse, which she lauds for containing niacinamide and linoleic acid to help calm inflammation and protect the skin barrier overnight. She also points out that it’s both oil- and fragrance-free, a great pick for those with acne-prone and/or sensitive skin alike.
Best for Dark Spots: TruAlchemy Spot Check
Niacinamide is well-known for being an effective ingredient to help fade existing spots and ward off new ones by interfering with the production of melanin (AKA pigment). Here, it works underneath the surface of the skin to do that, while a special trio of acids (glycolic, lactic, and phytic) dissolve the dead and discolored cells on top of the skin. Also nice: It’s fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free.
Best Toner: Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner
“This toner is formulated with a stable form of vitamin C, which works in conjunction with niacinamide to help reduce hyperpigmentation by protecting the skin from free radicals and blocking the production of melanin or pigment,” explains Gonalez. It’s alcohol-free, so there’s no need to worry about it being dry or irritating, even if your skin is on the sensitive side.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion
It may be the salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxides of the world that get all the love and attention when it comes to acne-fighting, but niacinamide definitely deserves a spot on that list, too. It’s great for combating inflammation (buh-bye red, swollen, painful blemishes), and you don’t have to worry about any drying side effects, as you do with other acne ingredients. Here, it’s paired with zinc oxide, which helps absorb excess oil and keep pores clear in a lightweight liquid that’s easy to work into your skincare routine. Bonus points for the fact that it works super quickly to minimize the look of pimples.
Best Eye Cream: First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream
As a general rule of thumb, you have to be careful when using potent skincare actives around your eyes (given that the skin here is more delicate and prone to irritation), but niacinamide is totally okay to use near your peepers. We’re partial to this formula, which has niacinamide to help even skin over time and provides a subtle, light-reflecting tint to instantly improve the look of dark circles—all while adding plenty of hydration, of course.
Best Mask: Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask
Use this in lieu of or layered over your go-to night cream and let the potent concentration (10 percent, to be exact) of niacinamide go to town. It helps balance oil production and even out skin’s texture, although there are also other good-for-your-complexion ingredients in the mix. Namely, antioxidant-rich blueberry seed oil and moisture boosting panthenol and beta-glucan. Plus, it’s great for all skin types, including the sensitive set.
The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
For those who want to reap the (many) benefits of niacinamide, but don’t want to necessarily add a whole new product into their routine, this is the solution. It’s straight-up powdered niacinamide; channel your inner cosmetic chemist and mix it with any water-based formula of your choosing, although you should note that figuring out how much to use for your skin can take some getting used to. The wallet-friendly price tag is just the cherry on top.
Final Verdict
Niacinamide is a great skincare ingredient for pretty much anyone and everyone. Overall, Paula’s Choice’s 10% Niacinamide Booster is our favorite niacinamide product, perfect to use either on its own or mixed in with your go-to serum or moisturizer. Speaking of, the La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum and Glossier Super Pure Niacinamide + Zinc Serum are two of our go-to niacinamide-based serums; the former is great for anti-aging, while the latter for acne-prone skin. It’s also a great idea to seek out the ingredient in an eye cream—First Aid Beauty’s Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream is our go-to in that category, delivering both instant and long-term effects.
What to Look For in a Niacinamide Product
Ingredient concentration
Some products do specify it, in which case you should ideally seek out a 4 to 5 percent concentration of niacinamide, says Gonzalez. If the concentration isn’t listed, check the ingredient label; ideally, it should be listed as one of the few first ingredients to make sure you’re getting enough of it.
Other ingredients
Niacinamide is great in and of itself, of course, but the nice thing about this ingredient is that it plays well in the sandbox with pretty much all other ingredients. Think about which benefits you’d like to get the most out of it and look for formulas that contain other ingredients that do the same thing. In other words, if you want to use it for skin barrier-strengthening reasons, look for a product that also contains ceramides.
FAQ
Can I use niacinamide every day?
Yes. You can apply products with niacinamide both in the morning and evening. Niacinamide is often recommended for people who have sensitive skin because it is usually well-tolerated.
Is niacinamide or vitamin C better for skin?
Both niacinamide2 and vitamin C4 are used to address hyperpigmentation and are usually well-tolerated by many skin types, though vitamin C has been known to cause mild irritation. They are often used together in many product formulas. If your skin is very sensitive, you might want to stick with niacinamide versus vitamin C.
Do dermatologists recommend niacinamide?
Yes. As Dr. Gonzales tells us, niacinamide can help address myriad skin concerns, from hyperpigmentation to acne to dryness. Because it’s widely tolerated and beneficial for many skin types, derms often recommend it.
How We Researched & Tested
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
