The 15 Best Niacinamide Serums for Brightening and Smoothing Skin, Tested by InStyle

Best Niacinamide Serum Overall

Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum

$65

$62 at Amazon $65 at Nordstrom $65 at Dermstore

Why We Love It: This is the first niacinamide serum our tester Natalie had ever tried, and it completely blew the serums she’d previously used out of the water. Though the texture of this product is very fluid, it spreads and absorbs easily, with a little bit going a long way. It left her skin dewy, and, though she's prone to blemishes, it helped to brighten and clear her skin throughout the testing period.

Who It's For: In addition to niacinamide, our best niacinamide serum contains potent antioxidants, which defend skin from dark-spot-forming free radicals, and a lab-created ingredient, Brightenyl, which works with the skin’s microbiome to prevent the development of dark spots, reduce redness, and shrink pore size. It's an excellent choice for those facing acne and hyperpigmentation, or who want brighter, glowier skin.

Worth Noting: This comprehensive serum is formulated for all skin types, but the high concentration of niacinamide could irritate very sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Trans-resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallatyl glucoside, Brightenyl | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 1 oz

Natalie, tester with combination skin: “My skin definitely improved during the testing period. My skin was much clearer, softer, and brighter...and the product prevented me from breaking out.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Aging Skin

SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 Face Cream with Niacinamide

$130 at Dermstore $130 at Bluemercury.com $130 at Skinceuticals.com

Why We Love It: Melasma is notoriously challenging to treat, especially on aging skin, but this potent formula from SkinCeuticals was up to the challenge. This overall best niacinamide serum brightened some of tester Hilary’s darker patches of melasma, smoothed her fine lines, and made her skin look brighter, younger, and healthier overall. The gel serum also gave the skin a matte finish that looked good when worn solo or under makeup.

Who It's For: Beyond the fact that it’s a nice choice for those looking to address discoloration (including melasma!) and uneven skin texture, SkinCeuticals is a brand beloved by dermatologists, so give this one a shot if you want to earn a gold star at your next appointment. Like all the products from the company, this serum is formulated with well-studied, hardworking ingredients, including three firming peptides and five percent niacinamide, and has been clinically tested.

Worth Noting: This product leaves a matte finish on the skin, so look elsewhere if you aspire for a dewy complexion.

Key Ingredients: Peptide blend, glycerin, algae extract｜Fragrance-Free: Yes｜Application: Morning and night｜Size: 1.7 oz

Hilary, tester with dry skin and melasma: “I noticed more change to my skin texture and fine lines using this than I have with other products…my skin brightened, and I noticed some fading of the darker melasma spots on my skin. Day to day, I didn't notice much difference, but with consistent use, there is a payoff in vibrancy, texture, and discoloration.”

Best Budget Niacinamide Serum

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

$6 at Amazon $6 at Nordstrom $6 at Target

Why We Love It: Don’t be fooled by the brief ingredient list or the low price point of this product. The serum is incredibly effective, noticeably taming excess oil, fading dark spots, and subduing tester Hannah's stubborn breakouts in just three weeks. After eight weeks of twice-daily application, they say their results had only gotten better, and they still weren't even halfway through the bottle; a little bit goes that far.

Who It's For: It’s not easy to find a serum that’s more affordable than a cup of coffee, but this one is—and it’s really effective, too. It’s ideal for those with oily and acne-prone skin due to the blend of the serum’s star ingredients, a high concentration of niacinamide and zinc, which Dr. Murphy-Rose says is known to fight blemishes; it kills breakout-causing bacteria while reducing oil production and inflammation. However, our tester has dry skin, and still loves (and plans to repurchase) this product.

Worth Noting: Hannah says the product dries tight on the face, but the feeling goes away once moisturizer is applied on top.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Morning and night | Size: 1 oz

Hannah, tester with dry, acne-prone skin: “There’s a reason for the hype. I’ve tried other niacinamide serums before, but this is one I plan to repurchase.”

Best Korean Niacinamide Serum

Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum

$17

$13 at Amazon

$17

$14 at Yesstyle.com $17 at Beautyofjoseon.com

Why We Love It: This formula absorbed very rapidly without leaving residue, instantly boosting hydration levels and leaving our tester Juliet’s skin looking moisturized, soft, and poreless. She found it soothing, and despite her highly sensitive skin, never experienced irritation. She also says it layered well with the other products in her rotation, which include hyaluronic acid and vitamin C serums, retinol, moisturizer, and sunscreen.

Who It's For: This is a nice option for those with sensitive skin because of the high concentration (60 percent!) of propolis extract, a resin-like substance made by bees that has powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and beautifully supports the soothing benefits of niacinamide. It also contains hydrating sodium hyaluronate and glycerin, and brightening turmeric extract. The formula is quite clean, so those who are picky about the ingredients in their products will appreciate this, too.

Worth Noting: This formula initially feels sticky on the skin but absorbs quickly.

Key Ingredients: Propolis extract, sodium hyaluronate, turmeric extract | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 1 oz

Juliet, tester with dry, sensitive skin: “I really like the product overall…I felt like my skin was bouncier after consistent use…there was no smell whatsoever, which was really nice, and the product in no way irritated my skin. I saw results mostly overnight when I woke up in the morning."

Best Niacinamide Serum for Acne-Prone Skin

Cosrx The Niacinamide 15 Serum

$25

$20 at Amazon $25 at Nordstrom $25 at Ulta

Why We Love It: Our tester Drea was wildly impressed by her results after using this serum for eight weeks. She had significantly fewer breakouts while using this product, and her dark spots seemed to disappear. Most noticeably, it erased acne scars that she’d had for years and thought she’d need medical intervention to address.

Who It's For: Just a dime-sized drop of this niacinamide serum each morning and night transforms acne-prone (and formerly acne-prone) skin. Packing 15 percent niacinamide, soothing allantoin, and N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), a chemical found in the body that’s been proven to be a powerful skin brightener, it yields more even, glowing skin, with consistent use, even where acne scars once were.

Worth Noting: Niacinamide, allantoin, and NAG are well-tolerated and comforting to the skin, so this product is worth a try by those who struggle with breakouts and have very sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: N-Acetylglucosamine, zinc, allantoin | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 0.67 oz

Drea, tester with large pores and acne scars: “I can't think of anything that I would change about this product…It is easy to use and has great results…This took care of some acne scarring that I really thought needed additional attention. My skin seemed to even out and looks healthy.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Pores

Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment

$55 at Amazon $55 at Sephora $55 at Dermstore

Why We Love It: Our tester saw a true difference in her skin’s plumpness, clarity, texture, and tone after adding this serum to her routine. It made her skin extremely clear—which isn’t typical for her—and her pores appeared much, much smaller. Mollie combined the niacinamide serum with tretinoin, which she says transformed her regimen for the better. She says it had a "clinical-grade" feel to it, melting into the skin to revive it overnight, making it bouncy and noticeably smoother than it was, even with her already well-rounded skincare regimen.

Who It's For: Though Mollie’s skin is sensitive, she didn’t experience any irritation from this 20 percent niacinamide serum—the highest concentration of the active on this list—except when she layered it directly with her prescription retinoid. Soothing allantoin, licorice root extract, ascorbyl glucoside, and epigallocatechin gallate, the latter of which has skin-brightening and antioxidant benefits, make it an excellent choice for most sensitive skin and those aiming to improve overall skin damage, especially that induced by UV exposure.

Worth Noting: Because this product contains such a high concentration of niacinamide, it may not be suited for extremely sensitive skin types or layering with other active ingredients, like retinol.

Key Ingredients: Acetyl glucosamine, licorice root extract, epigallocatechin gallate | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 0.67 oz

Mollie, tester with sensitive, combination skin: “This is the first niacinamide I've ever used that I feel truly works…this is a product I would buy on my own over and over after these results.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Dark Spots

PCA SKIN Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum

$130 at Amazon $130 at Nordstrom $130 at Dermstore

Why We Love It: The first thing our tester Danielle noticed about this formula is how quickly it absorbed—she times her morning routine down to the minute, and incorporating this serum didn’t disrupt her schedule at all, sinking into our skin to deliver hydration within 30 seconds while making a nice canvas for subsequent skin care and makeup products. Though Danielle is prone to redness, this formula didn’t exacerbate it or cause any irritation. At the end of our eight-week testing period, she was most surprised by how well this formula evened out her dark spots.

Who It's For: This is ideal for someone who wants to completely even their skin tone—reduce dark spots, fade redness, and brighten a sallow appearance—without causing sensitivity. Six percent niacinamide works to soothe the skin and calm redness while a blend of extracts (green tea, mulberry, and plankton) helps brighten discoloration.

Worth Noting: This serum may not be suitable for all budgets.

Key Ingredients: Mulberry extract, plankton extract, glycerin | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Morning and night | Size: 1 oz

Danielle, tester with dry skin and severe redness: “I really like how it felt on my skin…I was pleased with the results…I can tell that the dark spots are much less visible.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Dry Skin

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops

$36 at Amazon $36 at Sephora $36 at Glowrecipe.com

Why We Love It: InStyle tester Arnesia loved how this product made her dry skin feel so much that she says she slicked on more than necessary. It's very cooling and smooth as you apply it, and once it absorbs, it leaves the skin feeling very soft, hydrated, and illuminated. ​​Despite that, it never made her skin feel sticky or tacky, just comfortable and fully hydrated, so much so that she often had to hold back from touching her skin. It also provided a pretty radiance and, with regular use, made her complexion more even.

Who It's For: Because of the blend of hydrating watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and moringa seed oil, this is an ideal choice for someone who has dry skin and wants more moisture without weighing down their skin. It’s also a nice pick for someone who wants instantly glowy skin, which comes courtesy of all that hydration rather than any shimmer or pearlescence. 

Worth Noting: This product contains 0.5 percent natural fragrance, and it didn’t irritate our tester's skin. As long as you don't mind the scent of watermelon candy as you apply your serum (Arnesia says the scent fades as the product dries), you'll likely love this product.

Key Ingredients: Watermelon, hyaluronic acid, moringa seed oil | Fragrance-Free: No | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 1.35 oz

Arnesia, tester with dry skin and hyperpigmentation: “Overall, my skin looked brighter and healthier. I struggled a bit with some texture issues in my skin over the course of testing, and anytime I used this, it helped to smooth it out and make it appear much more even…and just more dewy and glowy.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Oily Skin

Glossier Super Pure Serum with Niacinamide + Zinc

$45 at Amazon $34 at Glossier.com

Why We Love It: This featherlight formula is easy to integrate into your routine. It absorbs quickly, and while our tester Jackie didn’t think it was doing anything at first because it was so lightweight on the skin, she realized that wasn’t the case once she saw her before and after photos. She loved the brightening and clarifying effects of this serum and how it provided ample hydration, even in the winter, without overwhelming her oily skin. Her overall skin tone was improved, with less redness, and she had no breakouts throughout the entirety of the testing period.

Who It's For: If you have an oily and/or acne-prone complexion, you'll find this thin formula refreshing and comfortable. The inclusion of zinc also helps tame excess oil and kill acne-causing bacteria. Those who love a high-maintenance, multistep routine will appreciate that this Glossier serum was created to be layered with a variety of skincare products and is relatively undetectable on the skin once it dries.

Worth Noting: This formula is on the thinner side, so a little bit goes a long way.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, zinc, allantoin | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 1 oz

Jackie, tester with dry skin and large pores: “It's the most lightweight, thin, and water-like product I've ever used…it still felt hydrating though. My skin looked brighter and clearer after using this product consistently, with lighter freckles/redness on my face and some slightly smoother texture on my forehead.”

Best Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Westman Atelier Skin Activator Serum with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide

$189 at Amazon $125 at Nordstrom $150 at Sephora

Why We Love It: We were instantly drawn to this treatment by its luxe packaging—a refillable canister topped with a cooling rollerball that helped spread the serum across the face (without wasting any on our fingertips!) while depuffing, which our tester Joie appreciated each morning. She says she genuinely looked forward to using this product every day as a quick self-care ritual, but it was the results that had her coming back for more: noticeably brighter, smoother, and more hydrated skin that had an effortless glow, even in the dead of winter.

Who It's For: Try this formula if you have very dry skin that’s in need of a brightening boost, or, like Joie, need to add an extra softening and hydrating step to your skincare routine when fighting sub-zero temperatures. These extra benefits come from four different forms of hyaluronic acid to deliver deep hydration to multiple layers of the skin, and ceramides, which condition and soften.

Worth Noting: This product is refillable, so when it’s time to restock, be sure to keep your bottle.

Key Ingredients: Ceramides, four types of hyaluronic acid, peptides, adenosine | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Morning and night | Size: 0.67 oz

Joie, tester with combination skin: “I was super pleased with the results after consistently using this serum. The product did more than I expected and really made a difference to my overall complexion! I could honestly see results even after the first use, and from there, it consistently helped keep my skin glowing and moisturized during the height of a Midwest winter.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Hyperpigmentation

ISDIN Melaclear Advanced

$180 at Amazon $180 at Dermstore $180 at Skinstore.com

Why We Love It: Quite frequently, it’s nearly impossible to fade old dark spots, especially acne scars, but this formula started fading them in four weeks. In just two weeks, the serum started smoothing out our tester’s uneven skin texture and shrinking her supersized pores. Plus, it instantly made her skin look more radiant. The gel formula absorbs quickly and layers well with other products, never pilling or clumping.

Who It's For: The product includes a powerhouse blend of skin-brightening ingredients—in addition to niacinamide, it contains known dark-spot-destroyers tranexamic acid and licorice root extract, as well as exfoliating phytic and mandelic acids to slough away discoloration. This makes it a must-try for those who are struggling with all forms of hyperpigmentation.

Worth Noting: This formula contains a fragrance that could sensitize reactive skin types.

Key Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, licorice root extract, phytic acid, mandelic acid | Fragrance-Free: No | Application: Morning and night | Size: 1.7 oz

Cara, tester with dry skin and acne scars: “I'm pleased with the results…I like that this faded my old acne scars and made my pores appear smaller….and made my skin look smoother overall.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Uneven Skin Tone

Alpyn Beauty Firming Serum

$58 at Amazon View on QVC $58 at Sephora

Why We Love It: This silky, lightweight gel works similarly to a gentle retinol, giving the skin an instant radiance while providing a noticeable tightening effect—and it improved the firmness of our tester Chantia’s skin throughout the testing period. It smoothed the fine lines around her eyes, helping her look more revitalized and awake. Though her skin is prone to acne, this formula never irritated it and did a great job moisturizing dry patches without feeling heavy.

Who It's For: This is best for someone who wants to treat the effects of aging as one of the star ingredients, rambutan, is considered a retinol alternative (just like bakuchiol) and helps smooth and brighten the skin (as does niacinamide, of course). It’s also one to consider if you’re passionate about sustainability. It's packaged in a fully recyclable component and serum features sustainably harvested plant extracts.

Worth Noting: This formula may not be suitable for sensitive skin types due to its retinol-like properties.

Key Ingredients: Nettle extract, rambutan extract, squalane | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 1 oz

Chantia, tester with combination skin and acne scars: “The serum did an excellent job in improving the texture of my skin [and] I am very pleased with how vibrant my skin looks now…my friends also weren't telling me I look tired and sleepy as much as they used to.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Sensitive Skin

Dr. Barbara Sturm Niacinamide Serum

$160 at Amazon $160 at Sephora $160 at Goop.com

Why We Love It: Our tester Kaitlin often refers to herself as an “acne survivor,” having completed three rounds of Accutane to clarify her skin. Though she was wary of testing a new product for fear of a negative reaction, her skin adored this serum. For the first 10 days of testing, she noticed no change to her skin, but on the eleventh day, she woke up to dramatically better-looking skin—the best it had ever looked. "My pores looked smaller, and my face looked brighter and glowier," she says. This glow also came without added oiliness, which is often her issue with products that offer a dewy or glowy finish.

Who It's For: This is best for someone who has sensitive, reactive skin like Kaitlin; while niacinamide has soothing properties, other actives in the serum, including ectoin, purslane, marine plankton extracts, and fellow B vitamin panthenol, do too.

Worth Noting: This product is on the pricier side. That said, Kaitlin loved how this formula made her skin look so much that she’d give up her lattes and avocado toast forever to afford this if she had to.

Key Ingredients: Marine plankton extract, purslane extract, ectoin, panthenol | Fragrance-Free: No | Application: Morning and night | Size: 1 oz

Kaitlin, tester with combination, formerly acne-prone skin: "My skin is deeply sensitive, and it shows its displeasure by making my face bright red that lasts for hours. This didn't happen one bit with the serum. I just patted it on, and then 10 days later, it looked its best ever."

Best Niacinamide Serum for Redness

Typology 12% Niacinamide Serum

$51 at Typology.com View on Typology.com

Why We Love It: This serum is very simple (just 10 ingredients!), but it delivers serious results. Before trying it, our tester Taylor’s biggest gripes about her skin were its inconsistent tone, most notably her redness, and this formula dramatically evened everything out, calming redness and fading dark spots. Though it contains a high concentration of niacinamide, she experienced zero irritation while testing this product (and a little of it went quite a long way).

Who It's For: This product is ideal for someone who wants a fuss-free and effective formula to even out their skin tone. Its only active is the 12 percent niacinamide, but because the ingredient is such a powerhouse, you’ll see a transformation in your skin. The glass packaging is also recyclable.

Worth Noting: Our tester found this product to be a bit sticky upon application.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide｜Fragrance-Free: No｜Application: Morning and night｜Size: 1 oz

Taylor, tester with combination skin and discoloration: “Looking back at the before photos, I was shocked at how much the color in my face evened out. My skin is less red, and my sun spots have faded…I noticed a slight change in the fine lines around my eyes…my skin just looks more even overall.”

Best Niacinamide Serum for Glowing Skin

Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops

$39 at Amazon $39 at Ulta $39 at Sephora

Why We Love It: We were admittedly skeptical of this product after initially seeing the golden pearlescence of the formula (it looks more like a highlighter than a serum), but our tester fell in love with its instant and lasting effects. Just a pea-sized amount was enough to cover her entire face and add a radiant (not sparkly) glow. Throughout the testing period, she observed her skin getting brighter and smoother, with fewer hormonal breakouts and reduced discoloration left behind by any errant pimples.

Who It's For: This is absolutely for someone who wants something of a makeup-skin care hybrid, as the formula adds a golden glow to the skin. But if you’re looking to use it as a makeup alternative, that works, too—the nourishing properties provided by the squalane and jojoba oil make it a great substitute for a tinted moisturizer. It’s also worth trying if you don’t want to take any products out of your existing regimen, as it’s meant to be mixed with your favorite serums, creams, or oils.

Worth Noting: This serum leaves a glowy, makeup-like sheen that most will consider better suited for daytime use.

Key Ingredients: Diglucosyl gallic acid, squalane, mulberry leaf extract | Fragrance-Free: Yes | Application: Once or twice daily | Size: 1 oz

Alexa, tester with combination skin and large pores: “I am very happy with the results! The product looked very cosmetic to me when first using it—I thought it would have no effect on my skin, but in the end, it helped even more problems than it advertises.”