Niacinamide is a buzzy skin care ingredient, but for good reason. Not only is it hydrating, but it can also improve overall tone and texture.
Niacinamide is a buzzy skin care ingredient, but for good reason. Not only is it hydrating, but it can also improve overall tone and texture.
“Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is an ingredient found in topical creams that helps brighten the skin, as well as improve its overall appearance,” says Dr. Sheila Farhang, a board-certified dermatologist and double-fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon.
Niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that can help target skin care concerns like discoloration and redness, while still being gentle on the skin, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist. “It supports the skin barrier, reducing water loss in the skin,” she says. “[It] also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good option for those with acne or rosacea-prone skin.”
I spoke to dermatologists about the benefits of niacinamide and how to incorporate it into your skin care routine. I also rounded up their picks for the best products with niacinamide to consider.
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How I picked the best niacinamide products
When shopping for skin care products with niacinamide, my experts recommend keeping in mind the following factors:
- Formulation: You can find niacinamide in skin care products like masks, creams, sunscreens and toners. Whichever formulation you choose will depend on your personal preference. However, if you want to get the most out of your niacinamide, consider choosing a leave-on product like a serum or moisturizer, experts say.
- Concentration: Niacinamide concentrations can go as low as 1% and can even reach higher potency with 20%. Start with a lower concentration and work your way up as your skin builds tolerance. Typically, 3% to 5% is the sweet spot for niacinamide, and anything above 5% can irritate some people, according to the experts I spoke to.
- Ingredients: Most times, niacinamide is accompanied by one or more skin care ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C in one formula. Look for a combination of ingredients that target your specific skin concerns.
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The best niacinamide products
There are several skin care products on the market that contain niacinamide, including toners, lotions and serums. We asked experts for their favorite products and sought out highly rated options that align with their guidance. We also rounded up products our NBC Select staff loves.
Best overall
This serum has niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen peptides, vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids, all of which work together to improve texture and tone, firm skin, smooth fine lines and hydrate, according to the brand. NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio uses this serum every morning to add some hydration to her dry skin routine and help brighten her normally dull skin, she says. “I also love that it’s lightweight, so I can wear it underneath my sunscreen and makeup,” says Godio.
Best budget pick
This niacinamide serum is an affordable option that helps address acne and controls oil, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Chiu. The water-based serum helps brighten skin tone and regulates sebum, which is an oily substance created by our bodies to moisturize the skin (but often leaves you looking shiny and oily), according to the brand.
Best exfoliating
This mask serves as both a physical and a chemical exfoliant to help buff away dead skin cells. It’s a favorite of NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi: “After long days of sunscreen, blush and subway air, I reach for this product — it has really revived my skin and complexion in a way that has genuinely surprised me,” she says. The brand recommends leaving it on as a mask for 5-10 minutes before showering.
Best for texture
If texture is a main concern, this serum has beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to gently exfoliate your skin and control oil. It also has propolis extract, which is an antioxidant that soothes redness and irritation, plus it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, according to the brand.
Best for acne
This gentle, lightweight serum has just over 1% niacinamide, as well as zinc and willow bark to help soothe skin, decongest pores and calm breakouts, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ryan Turner. Apply two to three drops of the serum in a patting motion and, if possible, make sure your skin is still slightly damp from cleansing and toning so the product absorbs better into the skin, according to the brand.
Best for dry skin
This moisturizer combines humectants (ingredients that attract water) and emollients (ingredients that help the skin barrier) to hydrate and support the skin, says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. It has niacinamide, allantoin and bisabolol to soothe the skin, help with oil regulation and improve tone and texture, according to King. It’s also noncomedogenic, so it’s less likely to clog pores. Apply a dime-sized amount to your face and neck, according to the brand.
Best for oily skin
This serum from NBC Select staff-favorite brand Cosrx combines niacinamide with zinc to improve skin texture, minimize pores and reduce excess oil, according to the brand. It also has allantoin to calm redness and irritation on those with rosacea-prone or acne-prone skin. The brand recommends applying two to three drops once or twice daily.
Best toner
If you want to include niacinamide in your toner, consider this option recommended by Garshick and King. Unlike other exfoliating toners, this one is acid-free and has gentler ingredients like prickly pear to support skin cell turnover, says King. It also helps hydrate and support the skin barrier as well as improve tone and texture, according to King.
Most lightweight
If you’re looking for a combination of niacinamide and zinc, consider this serum, which has a 4.2-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews at Glossier. With 5% niacinamide (one of the highest on this list), this option helps improve tone and texture and reduces irritation associated with unwanted breakouts, while zinc will help reduce irritation and hydrate the skin, according to the brand. The serum also has hydrating ingredients like glycerin and allantoin, which absorb quickly into the skin, according to Glossier.
Best brightening
This Charlotte Tilbury serum is a multipurpose option that hydrates, brightens and plumps your skin, according to the brand. Not only does the niacinamide reduce the appearance of pores and uneven tone and texture, but humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid also hydrate your skin, says King. This serum also has vitamin C, which can give your skin a brighter, more even complexion, according to the brand. “It has a very subtle iridescence, not enough to look shiny or glittery, but enough to make the skin look luminous,” says King.
Best for fine lines and wrinkles
This serum has a concentration of 10% niacinamide — a higher dose than most other options on this list — to help enhance any existing skin care product in your regimen, according to Turner. “It’s designed to be mixed into other products, which is a fantastic concept — not everyone wants to completely change up their routine,” he says.
Best for dark spots
If you want to combat dark spots, redness and oiliness, consider this Sunday Riley serum, which has a combination of antioxidants and hydrating ingredients to address common skin care concerns like discoloration. You can use this serum once or twice a day, both morning and night, according to the brand. The serum has a 4.7-star average rating from over 900 reviews.
Best pigmented
This Drunk Elephant option is a unique take on a niacinamide serum, according to Turner. In addition to 5% niacinamide, it has a sheer golden pigment to add a glow to the skin, says Turner. For the best results, shake your bottle before adding one or more drops to your favorite serum or facial moisturizer, according to the brand.
Best for redness
This antioxidant-rich serum is like a green smoothie for your skin: It has carrot, lemon and kale extract, which are sources of vitamins A, E and C, niacinamide to improve discoloration and reduce redness, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin, according to the brand. Apply this serum, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 480 reviews on Amazon, on your face and neck.
Best lotion
This lightweight lotion, recommended by Chiu, combines niacinamide with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, support the skin barrier and boost hydration, according to the brand. It’s also noncomedogenic, fragrance-free and suitable for all skin types. The brand recommends using this lotion at nighttime.
Best splurge
This moisturizer corrects environmental damage while improving fine lines and wrinkles, says Chiu. Suitable for all skin types, the lightweight cream strengthens the skin barrier, firms the skin, evens out skin tone and texture, and hydrates with ingredients like peptides and glycerin, according to the brand.
Best sunscreen
In addition to offering broad-spectrum coverage, this sunscreen has niacinamide to reduce inflammation and redness that may be associated with acne flare-ups, according to Garshick. This sunscreen is especially good for those with acne-prone skin, but it also works great for all skin tones because it doesn’t leave a white cast behind, says Garshick.
What are the benefits of niacinamide?
Niacinamide can help address almost every skin issue, making it a key ingredient to include in your routine. Below are some of the key benefits of niacinamide, according to Chiu:
- Retains and reduces moisture loss, which can ultimately improve the skin barrier
- Reduces inflammation and redness due to its gentle, anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it great for those with acne and rosacea
- Regulates sebum production for oily and/or acne-prone skin
- Evens out skin tone and texture, and improves hyperpigmentation
- Helps build keratin, which can improve the elasticity of the skin and keep it firm
How to shop for niacinamide products
If you want to get the benefits of niacinamide in your daily skin care routine, my experts recommend keeping in mind the concentration of the ingredient and the type of product.
Concentration
You can find niacinamide in various concentrations, ranging from 1% to 20%.
“Concentrations of 5% niacinamide have been shown to [improve] skin appearance with little risk of sensitivity, though it’s always best to start with a lower concentration first to see how it works for you and your skin,” says Turner. Concentrations of 5% niacinamide or higher may cause irritation, so it’s important to remember that “more” does not always equal ‘better,” he says.
Formulation
Niacinamide is found in a variety of formulations, including toners, serums, moisturizers and masks. However, in order for you to get the most effective results, consider choosing a leave-on product like serums and moisturizers so that it has enough time to work on the skin, says King.
Moisturizers may have lower concentrations, and they’ll absorb slower than serums, which tend to absorb quickly and have a more concentrated dose of active ingredients, says Turner.
Frequently asked questions
Nicotinamide vs. niacinamide vs. niacin vs. nicotinic acid
You may see ingredients that look similar to “niacinamide,” including nicotinamide, niacin and nicotinic acid. Below, our experts break down the differences between the different forms of vitamin B3.
- Nicotinamide and niacinamide are the same. Nicotinamide is a common and well-tolerated form of vitamin B3, experts say. Both niacinamide and nicotinamide are found in animal-derived products, as well as certain yeasts and fortified grains, says Turner.
- Niacin and nicotinic acid are the same. Niacin and nicotinic acid are a form of vitamin B3 that is an essential nutrient and is critical for cognitive health and balancing cholesterol levels, says Turner. You’ll also find it in oral supplements and through your diet in meat, poultry and salmon, he says. However, niacin and nicotinic acid are used less frequently in skin care because it can potentially cause skin flushing.
Who should use niacinamide?
All skin types can benefit from using niacinamide, experts say. However, If you have acne, rosacea or hyperpigmentation, it’s a good ingredient to have in your routine.
How often should you use niacinamide?
Niacinamide is safe to use on a daily basis because it is generally well-tolerated by most skin types, says Garshick. This is because it does not typically cause irritation or inflammation, according to King. Plus, results like even tone and texture will improve with regular use, she says.
When should you apply niacinamide?
“It’s best to use an antioxidant like niacinamide in the morning, but [it] can safely be used both in the morning and at night by most people,” says Turner.
What can you mix with niacinamide?
Unlike some skin care ingredients that work best away from others, niacinamide works well with most ingredients.
- Hyaluronic acid: Combining niacinamide and hyaluronic acid will keep your skin exceptionally hydrated, says Chiu. Niacinamide helps regulate sebum production and improve the skin barrier by preventing water loss, and hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant, helps hold moisture in the skin to maintain plumpness and smoothness, according to Chiu.
- AHA/BHA/Retinol: Niacinamide’s soothing and anti-inflammatory properties help balance more irritating ingredients like chemical exfoliants and retinol, according to Turner. “However, if you’re using a very high concentration of niacinamide or are prone to skin sensitivity, I’d recommend alternating your use of niacinamide with ingredients like AHAs, BHAs and retinol to err on the side of caution,” says Turner. You can also use niacinamide with bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative that doesn’t have the same risk of irritation.
- Peptides: Peptides play a role in collagen synthesis, and in combination with niacinamide, they can reduce the appearance of fine lines, according to Chiu.
How long does it take for niacinamide to work?
You’ll see some positive effects within two to four weeks, but the benefits of niacinamide will usually appear over 8 to 12 weeks, says Garshick. As with many skin care products, it can begin working immediately, but you will continue to see better results over time.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Sheila Farhang is a board-certified dermatologist and double-fellowship trained cosmetic surgeon as well as a reconstructive Mohs micrographic (skin cancer) surgeon in Tucson, Arizona
- Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist at her own private practice in New York City. Her areas of expertise include medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Ryan Turner is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and co-founder of TRNR Skin. His areas of expertise include cosmetic dermatology, general dermatology, surgical dermatology and laser surgery.
- Dr. Annie Chiu is a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in Redondo Beach, California. Her areas of expertise include non-invasive cosmetic dermatology and aesthetics.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter who has covered skin care and hair care. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists and researched highly rated products containing niacinamide that were in line with their guidance.
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