When shopping for skin care products with niacinamide, my experts recommend keeping in mind the following factors:
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
Unlike some skin care ingredients that work best away from others, niacinamide works well with most ingredients.
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.
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.
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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