obsessive tester

7 Niacinamide Serums That Don’t Make Me Break Out

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers, Chinea Rodriguez

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There are a lot of “miracle” ingredients in the skin-care world: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, retinol — you name it. One ingredient worth decoding? Niacinamide. Why? It’s in almost everything on your beauty shelf, from your sunscreens to your cleansers. It promises brighter, more even skin, skin-barrier repair, and redness control.

Despite all the good it can do, niacinamide is an ingredient that usually makes me break out. So I tried over ten niacinamide serums over time, slowly working them into my daily skin-care routine. Seven made this list. The criteria were simple: Did it improve my skin’s texture and complexion? Did it irritate my skin? And, most important, did it make my skin break out?

For a breakdown of what this ingredient is capable of and how to get the most out of it, we consulted a derm and rounded up their favorites (and mine).

SO YOU WANT TO TRY NIACINAMIDE SERUMS?

Our top picks
More tried-and-true options
FAQs
Our experts

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Our top picks

If You Want Glowing Skin Instantly

Size: 1 fl oz. | Key ingredients: 5 percent niacinamide, ceramides, dandelion root | Cruelty free: Yes

I have gone through several bottles of this hydrating and smoothing serum. Niacinamide is one of the key ingredients for smoothing and brightening skin over time, but the immediate results with this product are just as good. It’s incredibly hydrating and leaves your skin looking glassy and glowy immediately.

If You Want Something Calming

Size: 1 fl oz. | Key ingredients: 4 percent niacinamide, CBD | Cruelty free: Yes

I love the acids and actives, but sometimes my skin doesn’t. Overdoing it with exfoliants and retinols can leave my skin red, dry, and irritated, so it’s not surprising this became a cult favorite and my favorite. I tried this product, and with 4 percent niacinamide for barrier support and brightening without irritation, the serum also features a number of ingredients just for soothing my skin, like CBD.

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More tried-and-true options

If You Want to Fade Dark Spots

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Size: 1 fl oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin C | Cruelty free: Yes

One of the main ingredients in Eadem’s first-ever launch is niacinamide. Formulated especially for melanin-rich skin tones, which can be prone to hyperpigmentation, this serum targets dark spots, texture, and inflammation with the ingredient. Also inside the serum are fruit enzymes for exfoliation and glycerin for hydration. It worked wonders on my skin without any irritation and pairs well with the company’s moisturizer.

If You Want a Hydrating Formula

Size: 1 fl oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, kojic acid, alpha arbutin | Cruelty free: Yes

The good thing about this serum (besides how fun the packaging is to use) is the texture. You’d think that serum on the thicker side would be annoying to use with the rest of your routine, but since it’s heavier and boosted with ingredients like glycerin, it’s easy to use all over for hydration or apply to targeted areas of the skin. I like that you can use it twice daily, even in the daytime (with sunscreen, of course), without irritation and breakouts. It added a boost of radiance to my skin.

If You Want Barrier Support

Size: 1 fl oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin B12, Centella asiatica | Cruelty free: Yes

There’s a lot of talk about your skin’s barrier, and for good reason: The very literal protective barrier of your skin keeps the good (moisture) in and the bad (irritants) out. So when you’ve damaged it, you really feel it — irritation, dryness, and sensitivity. If you’re focusing less on brightening and smoothing and more on repairing and soothing, opt for this serum. I add a few drops of this to my nightly routine — before moisturizer — whenever I feel like I’ve overdone it. It helps to hydrate and soothe my irritated skin.

If You Want a Derm’s Favorite

Size: 1 fl oz. | Key ingredients: 5 percent niacinamide, tranexamic acid, kojic acid | Cruelty free: Yes

Dr. Whitney Bowe prefers this high-powered serum that contains tranexamic acid and 5 percent niacinamide. “That combination is great for brightening dark spots,” she says.

If You Want a Sunscreen

Size: 1.7 fl oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide, zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid | Cruelty free: Yes

Niacinamide is in everything. This is Bowe’s favorite sunscreen containing the ingredient. “Many of my patients with sensitive skin struggle with sunscreen irritation, and building niacinamide into that formulation really helps prevent that irritation, even in people with sensitive skin.”

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FAQs

What are the benefits of niacinamide?

You’ll often find niacinamide in smoothing and brightening serums because the multitasking ingredient handles a number of skin-care concerns. First up: evening your skin tone overall. “I like to leverage niacinamide-containing serums to help brighten dark spots and even out skin tone; it inhibits the transfer of melanin from melanocytes to keratinocytes,” Bowe explains.

It’s also useful for improving redness, she notes. So if you have acne-prone skin or rosacea, it could be a helpful option for you. It’s also “excellent for the skin barrier because it decreases transepidermal water loss,” she says.

How do I apply niacinamide serums?

Bowe doesn’t use a niacinamide serum in her everyday routine but does recommend finding the ingredient in other parts of your skin-care routine. Her favorites include cleansers, dark-spot serums, and sunscreen.

Can I use niacinamide serums every day?

“It’s important to note the percentage of niacinamide that you are using in your daily routine,” she explains. “This is a case of more is not better because the sweet spot for most people is between 2 and 5 percent in order to optimize benefits while minimizing irritation.”

What’s the difference between niacinamide and vitamin C?

There are a lot of similarities between these ingredients; they’re both antioxidants that can brighten skin. “Certain forms of vitamin C can support collagen synthesis, thus smoothing lines and wrinkles over time, while niacinamide can help support a healthy skin barrier and regulate sebum production/help with oil control,” Bowe explains.

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Our experts

7 Niacinamide Serums That Don’t Make Me Break Out