The Best Niacinamide Serums We Tested for Smoother, More Radiant Skin Start at $6

This ultra-potent serum earned top marks in our testing thanks to its gentle yet effective formula which had both immediate and lasting impact on our tester’s skin.

Beyond niacinamide, it’s formulated with plumping hyaluronic acid, firming peptides, radiance-boosting fermented algae, and smoothing adenosine. This combination left skin feeling brighter, tighter, and smooth to the touch. We loved that it absorbed readily into skin, easily layering beneath our go-to moisturizer. 

Star Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, noni fruit, fermented algae, adenosine, L-arginine, EGCG, probiotics, prickly pear cactus extract, L-glutamine, ceramides

The Ordinary is an editor-loved brand for affordable replicas of high-end products, and this 10 percent niacinamide serum fits the bill. It felt fancy to apply, with a slick formula that only required a few drops to spread all around our face and neck. A little goes a long way here — one small bottle lasted us several months, even with twice-daily application.

The formula left our skin feeling slightly tight afterwards, but a quick layer of moisturizer was an easy fix. After three weeks, we noticed distinctly brighter skin and our testers were delighted to find their breakouts were few and far between (and much tamer when they did occur). 

Star Ingredients: 10% niacinamide, 1% zinc | Size: 30 ml, 60 ml

Silky and lightweight, this gel-like serum wowed us with its instant and lasting tightening effect. It felt soft and gentle as we applied, leaving a subtle glow but no tacky or unpleasant residue after it fully absorbed (which took about a minute).

As our skin drank it up, we noticed a gentle tightening of our skin. These weren’t just temporary results — after two weeks, we began seeing lasting changes in our skin texture, particularly our undereye area as it smoothed out fine lines.

Our tester (and even their friends) noticed their eyes looked brighter and “more alive.” Made with rambutan and niacinamide, the latter didn’t appear to be the star of the show, as we didn’t notice much difference in our dark spots. 

Star Ingredients: Wild nettle, niacinamide, rambutan  | Size: 30ml 

Struggling with acne scarring or recurring breakouts? This hyper-concentrated serum is here to help get everything under control. We saw results after a few weeks of daily use, as stubborn acne scars and dry black heads faded away. Our skin texture smoothed out drastically and our scars lightened up.

The formula is non-comedogenic, so you can trust that it won’t clog pores; however, this means it can also be slightly drying and you may need to pair with a face moisturizer, especially if you already have dry skin. We also saw a drastic reduction in breakouts and this serum helped minimized inflammation whenever anything did pop up.

Star Ingredients: 15% niacinamide, N-acetylglucosamine, zinc PCA, allantoin | Size: 20ml

Designed to target large or sunken pores, this serum worked wonders on our skin during the testing period. Yes, it’s a splurge compared to most products we teated, but if you’re struggling with a coarse or uneven complexion, it’s hard to beat. We were so struck by the results that we’d be willing to give up a few little luxuries (farewell for now, overpriced lattes) to make this a regular part of our routine. 

The formula itself feels luxurious, striking that just-right Goldilocks balance between too runny and too tacky. It feels indulgent to apply and absorbs within about a minute; it was a breeze to layer beneath the other products in our skincare routine. 

This doesn’t offer the same sort of instant brightness or tightening effects as others we tested — the results revealed themselves slowly — and then all at once. We woke up 10 days into testing and suddenly had all-around younger-looking, brighter, and glowy skin.

Star Ingredients: Niacinamide, Ectoin, Exopolysaccharides (Marine Plankton Extract), Glycerine, Purslane Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Sunflower Seed Oil, Vitamin E | Size: 30ml

Upgrade your go-to radiance drops with this niacinamide-infused serum, which works to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots while light-reflecting pigments perk up tired skin. While the formula is not sparkly or glittery, it is shimmery (think of a champagne-hued highlighter). 

While that cosmetic aspect may not appeal to everyone, anyone who already uses a highlighter would likely appreciate that these drops have the same effect, with the added benefits of fewer breakouts, reduction of hyperpigmentation and the appearance of fine lines — plus softer and more balanced skin. 

Star Ingredients: Niacinamide, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Mulberry Leaf | Size: 0.5 ounces

If you’re looking to brighten up your overall complexion but are planning to apply your niacinamide serum during the day, this is an excellent choice. We loved how soft, creamy, and luxurious this felt; our skin couldn’t drink it up fast enough. 

It absorbed almost instantly during testing, creating an immediate glow that provided the ideal base for the rest of our routine. The formula dries lightning-fast and never pills, so it’s easy to layer under foundation and moisturizer. 

While our skin looked brighter after the first use, we noticed real results after about two weeks of consistent use: Our complexion was clearer, our dark spots subtly lightened, and our skin noticeably brighter overall.

Star Ingredients: Niacinamide, licorice root, golden kiwifruit, undecylenoyl phenylalanine | Size: 30 ml

This water-based formula is gentle yet effective for anyone with sensitive skin. The weightless formula felt refreshing, like splashing cold water on your face. We were running through it quickly as a result, but after a few applications, we discovered you just need two or three drops each application. 

Patience is a virtue here, as it took a few weeks for this gentle formula to work its magic: Six weeks into testing, we noticed our complexion was brighter overall and our dark spots had subtly faded. Our skin looked clearer and signs of sun damage and inflammation became less noticeable.

Star Ingredients: 5% niacinamide, zinc PCA | Size: 30ml 

We loved the cooling, hydrating boost this serum gave our skin so much that applying it felt like self-care. The thin, buildable gel spreads easily over skin, creating a natural, glow-from-within sort of radiance that won’t irritate your skin, unlike some highlighting products that contain mica powder or glitter. Use as an illuminating primer or give your skin a glossy (but not oily) finish after you’ve applied your makeup — it layers easily both under and over other products. Plus, the watermelon scent is pleasant and non-irritating — although that may not appeal to everyone. 

Star Ingredients: Watermelon, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, moringa seed oil | Size: 15ml or 40ml

The French are famous for their skincare secrets, one of which is the antioxidant-rich thermal spring water from the town of La Roche-Posay. The skin-soothing water works in harmony with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to help rebalance skin tone.

After three weeks of regular use, we began to notice our skin looked brighter and healthier — not to mention, it felt soft and smooth to the touch. The effects were subtle but noticeable, although we wish that it had done more to fade our dark spots. 

Star Ingredients: Niacinamide, phe-resorcinol, hyaluronic acid, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water | Size: 30ml

Neutrogena counts celebs like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Garner as fans, and with good reason: The drugstore brand is reliably affordable and effective, as exemplified by this niacinamide serum. 

It quickly freshened up our teser’s face and the formula was easy to spread; it made our skin feel soft and dewy. Since it dried almost instantly, it would be suitable for anyone with a low-maintenance skincare routine who needs more hydrated, brighter skin.

Star Ingredients: 10% niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Size: 30ml

Anyone dealing with blotchy skin, clogged bumps, and orange-peel texture in their complexion will find welcome relief with this powerful serum from Paula’s Choice. It packs a serious punch, with a whopping 20 percent concentration of niacinamide — while it’s marketed as gentle enough to use once or twice daily, we found that using it every other day was plenty to see results. 

Our skin’s elasticity improved dramatically. When we’d apply the serum at night, we woke up to a visibly bouncier, more youthful complexion. It layered smoothly under moisturizer at night and below our daytime skincare in the morning. By the end of the testing period, our skin was smoother and had far fewer breakouts. 

Star Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C, licorice extract | Size: 20 ml

This lightweight water-based emulsion feels pleasant, spreads smoothly, and melts quickly into skin for a boost of hydration that won’t leave any sticky or tacky residue. Frankly, it feels as expensive as it is — this is a clinically-formulated luxury product that’s worth the splurge. 

Niacinamide, glycerin, and triple-peptide concentrate work together to deliver and trap moisture for all-day hydration, promoting cell turnover — and results in a more youthful, luminous complexion. 

Star Ingredients: 5% niacinamide, 2.5% tri-peptide concentrate, 15% glycerin | Size: 50ml