14 best niacinamide serums for soothing redness, fighting breakouts and brightening the skin

Not just a pretty face, this Insta-worthy serum has an impressive ingredients line up. Inspired by South Korean skin care, the formula is designed to give you an intense glow instantly, whilst niacinamide works to brighten the complexion over time.

Glowing customer review: “Beautiful texture, lovely light natural fragrance – but most importantly gives me the dewy look which is my go to for skincare. Def want to try more from this brand.”

Formulated with 5% niacinamide, Glossier's offering is a little more gentle than most, making it a better option for people with sensitised skin or dry complexions. Along with niacinamide, it also contains Zinc PCA, to help decongest pores without being overly drying.

Glowing customer review: “I’ve lost count of how many times I bought this product but my extremely sensitive skin LOVES this product and is has strengthened my skin barrier! I feel it has really helped even out my skin texture.”

As a beauty writer who loves K-Beauty, I can tell you that Beauty of Joseon’s serum (a.k.a., one of the leading Korean skincare brands) is all about making your skin juicy, clear and hydrated.

I use it every morning and night sandwiched between my vitamin C/retinol and moisturiser, and it has helped even my skin tone and brighten. It’s also very lightweight, so it’s the perfect prep for my makeup.

Glowing customer review: “I LOVE THIS. It is the best serum I have ever used, I can immediately feel a difference in my skin, it feels clearer and more moisturised and I will 100% be repurchasing this product.”

The OG of niacinamide serums, you could argue that The Ordinary made this relatively unheard of ingredient, an in-demand elixir for anyone looking to overhaul their complexion. With 10% niacinamide and 1% Zinc PCA, it will certainly keep sebum under control and minimise breakouts.

Glowing customer review: “I struggle with acne around my period and in my T-Zone, but my skin is dry everywhere else. I use a few different products from this brand but this is by far the best out of all the products I’ve used. Completely changed the texture of my skin. I no longer have forehead bumps or flaky skin around my cheeks.”

The heftiest dose of niacinamide I've ever come across, this treatment claims to dramatically refine the look of uneven texture and visible pores (where do we sign up?).

The hero ingredient is paired with an antioxidant blend of liquorice extract and vitamin C, to brighten and refine the skin tone and texture.

Glowing customer review: “I’ve been applying every day for 2 weeks now and I see a big improvement in my large pores and my face is just so glowing! It’s a must buy.”

A simple (sorry) way to introduce niacinamide into your routine is to use this Booster Serum, which also contains vitamin B5 to protect and hydrate the skin barrier.

At the same time, the star ingredient controls sebum production and reduces enlarged pores. Apply directly onto the skin or dispense a few drops into your favourite moisturiser.

Glowing customer review: “I have really sensitive skin but have found this works really well for me. I use it in the evenings with Simple Hyaluronic Acid and feel it has improved my skin’s look and texture.”

Sunday Riley's B3 Nice niacinamide serum is a real powerhouse. It may have a liquid consistency – making it super refreshing to apply – but it's brimmed with potent ingredients to fade redness and pigmentation and reduce the appearance of pores.

Sunday also created the serum for her daughter who struggled with acne and post-blemish scarring at the time, so you can trust that it will look after and nourish the skin without irritating.

Glowing customer review: “I love Sunday Riley products, they really work on all skin types. This B3 Nice serum left my skin more even toned, clearer, smoother, brighter & more balanced.”

There's a reason why La Roche Posay is always a go-to for great skincare. Not only does this serum contain niacinamide, but it's also packed with salicylic acid, LHA and glycolic acid, making it the perfect formula for decongesting pores and preventing future breakouts.

Glowing customer review: “I love this serum. It has really helped my blemish prone skin and leaves my skin feeling so good afterwards.”

This is one of the best niacinamide serums on a budget. The £10 serum contains 10% Niacinamide to reduce excess oil, blemishes and redness, along with 1% hyaluronic acid, to deliver hydration to the skin and keep it from getting dry or tight.

Glowing customer review: “I love this serum. It’s very silky but absorbs very well onto the skin. I like to use it before the retinol serum at night. But when I use it twice a day I can see the brightening effect. Very gentle.”

Members price: £30

With a hefty 10% niacinamide, this serum is one of the most effective formulas around – it helps strengthen the skin’s barrier and promotes elasticity. The formula also helps reduce the appearance of pores while refining and smoothing skin. It's £30 for non-members but just £15 for members. You can get 30 days free membership below.

Sign Up

Glowing customer review: “Love this – my daily go-to product. Brightens, tightens and makes my skin feel smooth & ready for the day. Can’t be without now.”

Yes, this beauty contains our favourite ingredient, niacinamide, but that's just the tip of the iceberg: it's also packed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and a blend of skin-barrier boosting tri-ceramide complexes.

It's a brilliant all-rounder for brighter, hydrated skin. Oh, and did I mention it's also oil-free, non-comedogenic, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, vegan and cruelty-free.

Glowing customer review: “I damaged my skin barrier way back from using prescription retinol. My skin is so tight and everything I use just stings my face. Bought this to heal my skin barrier. It worked!”

It's hard not to be a Naturium fan-girl tbh, with affordable price points, quality ingredients and beaut packaging, the brand has fast become a go-to on the Cosmopolitan beauty desk.

Of course, this serum is no exception, with a whopping 12% niacinamide, plus 2% zinc, this minimises pores and helps to smooth the skin, whilst balancing oil production – win, win.

Glowing customer review: “Using this in tandem with the Vitamin C Complex Serum. It has brightened my skin to the point that I really am shocked and pleasantly surprised. The size of my pores looks a little smaller, I suppose, but the biggest payoff is the evening and brightening of my skin. Just beautiful.”

With a whole powerhouse of incredible ingredients, this serum has been clinically proven to minimise the appearance of skin discolouration.

Yes, it has 5% niacinamide for brightening and minimising pores, but it also has 8% Tranexamic Acid which has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe the skin.

Glowing customer review: “I have been using this Discolouration Defense Serum for a few months. It’s very hydrating and definitely works. My dark spot marks have completely gone within three months. I’m super impressed and over the moon.”