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10 best niacinamide serums to help minimise pores and fine lines

From pigmentation to blemishes, this skincare ingredient can treat (almost) anything

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With new buzz-worthy skincare ingredients coming at us left, right and centre, it can be hard to know what is really worth adding to your routine. Well, we’re here to tell you that niacinamide should definitely be one of them.

Unlike some ingredients that only target a specific skincare concern, niacinamide tackles a number of common issues – more on that later. If you’re looking to improve everything from blemishes to pigmentation, and even wrinkles, this ingredient is should be your go-to.

We asked 267 testers to trial serums packed with niacinamide to measure the difference to skin over a month of use. Scroll down to see our picks of the best niacinamide serums...

What can niacinamide do for your skin?

Niacinamide – otherwise known as nicotinamide – is a form of vitamin B3 (found naturally in food such as fish, meat and grains) and is quite the multitasker when it comes to tackling our skincare concerns.

We're handing over to our expert, GP and founder of Mind Body Doctor, Dr Tosin, to list the many benefits to this single ingredient:

“Niacinamide has an anti-inflammatory component so it is great for those with sensitive skin and conditions such as acne and rosacea. It’s been found to have benefits for keeping the skin youthful and plays a role in many anti-ageing products... by helping generate new skin cells, and prompting the production of collagen.”

If that wasn’t enough, Dr Tosin goes on to say: “It also helps with pigmentation and brightening the skin by acting on the pathways that produce melanin. And it prevents moisture loss from the skin's surface, therefore preventing dehydration which is really important for our skin's health.”

Suffer from regular or random breakouts? The ingredient will also help prevent the spots themselves. “Niacinamide has also been shown to regulate sebum (oil) production,” adds Dr Tosin, “and therefore can help with reducing acne and enlarged pores”.

How do I use niacinamide?

Unlike some skincare ingredients that must be used either in the day or at night, niacinamide can be used at any time. In fact, many choose to apply twice daily.

How you use it is flexible too. You’ll find niacinamide in everything from moisturisers to serums and oils. Whatever format your skin prefers, there’s a product out there for you.

What ingredients can I use with niacinamide?

“As well as having so many benefits, niacinamide is also very adaptable and can be used with many other active skincare ingredients,” explains Dr Tosin. It’s compatible with AHAs, BHA, hyaluronic acid and retinol to name a few. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties it can also potentially decrease any possible irritation other active ingredients can cause.

How we test niacinamide serum

Our panel of 267 testers put 19 brands to the test for four weeks to see which niacinamide serums were the most impressive.

They gave feedback on ease of use, packaging design and how well they targeted skin concerns, including radiance, brightness, hydration, blemishes, pores and/or fine lines and wrinkles.

In the Red beauty lab, we used a VISIA machine to look for differences in wrinkles, pores and brown spots and pigmentation, from week one to week four.

Find the best niacinamide serum for you...

1
Best niacinamide serum

Dr Dennis Gross B3Adaptive Superfoods Stress Rescue Super Serum

B3Adaptive Superfoods Stress Rescue Super Serum
1
Best niacinamide serum

Dr Dennis Gross B3Adaptive Superfoods Stress Rescue Super Serum

Now 20% Off
£59 at Cult Beauty
Credit: .

Just like lighting a scented candle can help us calm down, this AHA and niacinamide-packed formula aims to have a relaxing effect on stressed-out skin.

This seamlessly glided on to skin, achieving clearer skin for all and minimising fine lines for 85%. One described it as “magic”. It left such an impression, 93% would switch their current serum out for this.

Key specifications
Size: 30ml
Suitable for:
Mature, blemish-prone, dull skin

2
Best niacinamide serum for brightening

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Magic Serum Crystal Elixir
2
Best niacinamide serum for brightening

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Credit: .

Powerful and potent, this blend of vitamin C and niacinamide added a notable radiance to our testers’ skin. While 93% found it gave them silk-like smoothness, the addition of polyglutamic acid – which is four times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid – left 62% with an improvement to fine lines too.

Key specifications
Size: 30ml
Suitable for:
Mature, dull skin

3
Best budget niacinamide serum

Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum

Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum
3
Best budget niacinamide serum

Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum

Now 38% Off
Credit: .

Don’t want to spend a fortune? Look no further than cruelty-free brand Garnier. This serum worked wonders for any pigmentation, evening out skin tone, while putting a stop to breakouts for 67%. An ideal defence to counteract those hormonal breakouts.

Key specifications
Size: 30ml
Suitable for:
Dull, blemish-prone skin

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4
Best niacinamide serum for firming skin

Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum

Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum
4
Best niacinamide serum for firming skin

Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum

Credit: .

If you’re up for investing in your skin, this VB-approved serum is a great option. It features the same science behind renowned Professor Augustinus Bader’s namesake line, and left 71% with noticeably firmer skin.

It avoided causing any sensitivity or redness and was a favourite for adding a little glow; 75% loved the brightness it left behind.

Key specifications
Size: 30ml
Suitable for:
Mature, dull, sensitive skin

5
Best niacinamide serum for improving skin texture

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum

Revitalixir Recovery Serum
5
Best niacinamide serum for improving skin texture

Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum

Credit: .

Rich in texture, this serum impressed our testers with its smoothing capabilities, leaving 92% with feather-softness. It wasn’t at all greasy, but significantly boosted hydration and brightness.

Rough skin? No problem; 85% saw a difference, while also reported a 73% reduction in fine lines.

Key specifications
Size: 40ml
Suitable for:
Mature, dull, dry, sensitive skin

6
Best vegan niacinamide serum

OSKIA Renaissance BrightLight Serum

Renaissance BrightLight Serum
6
Best vegan niacinamide serum

OSKIA Renaissance BrightLight Serum

Now 20% Off
Credit: .

Complexion correcting, and kind to the planet, this lightweight vegan-friendly serum improved smoothness and hydration for 73% of our panel.

It didn’t leave a sticky or heavy feel to skin, absorbing within seconds and layering well with other products in our testers’ routines.

Key specifications
Size: 30ml
Suitable for:
Dull, mature, uneven skin

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7
Best niacinamide serum for hydration

SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 Cream

Metacell Renewal B3 Cream
7
Best niacinamide serum for hydration

SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 Cream

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Good skin always starts with hydration. Case in point, this velvety cream which was a hit amongst those with dry skin, leaving 93% with some welcomed moisture. It didn’t skimp on other areas either, successfully eradicating lacklustre, rough skin for 80%.

Key specifications
Size: 50ml
Suitable for:
Mature skin

8
Best niacinamide serum for mature skin

Avon Anew Renewal Power Serum by Avon

Anew Renewal Power Serum by Avon
8
Best niacinamide serum for mature skin

Avon Anew Renewal Power Serum by Avon

Credit: .

This collagen-stimulating formula proved to be a top-performer in our lab test for reducing pores.

It also impressed 75% of our panel for leaving less visible wrinkles. The best part? Results were seen in a matter of days.

Key specifications
Size: 30ml
Suitable for:
Mature, dull skin

9
Best niacinamide serum for breakouts

Glossier Super Pure

Super Pure
9
Best niacinamide serum for breakouts

Glossier Super Pure

Credit: .

Glossier didn’t just win us over with its aesthetically pleasing packaging, this also worked wonders with those struggling with breakouts – perfect for that time of the month.

It’s oil-free and jam-packed with niacinamide and zinc. Testers loved the dropper applicator, and the instant smoothing effect this serum gave.

Key specifications
Size: 30ml
Suitable for:
Sensitive, blemish-prone skin

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10
Best niacinamide serum for sensitive skin

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum

Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum
10
Best niacinamide serum for sensitive skin

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum

Now 29% Off
Credit: .

Sensitive skin is always at the risk of a new product putting it off balance, but our testers found this didn’t rock the boat.

A high scorer in our lab test when it came to addressing spots, wrinkles, pores and brown spots, our testers found this was both effective and non-irritating, with 87% avoiding any irritation or sensitivity.

Key specifications
Size: 29.5ml
Suitable for:
Sensitive skin

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