7 Niacinamide Serums That Don’t Make Me Break Out
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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
Our top picks
If You Want Glowing Skin Instantly
Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip
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
Dieux Skin Deliverance Serum
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.
More tried-and-true options
If You Want to Fade Dark Spots
Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum
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
Dr. Idriss Major Fade Hyper Serum Dark-Spot Treatment
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
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum
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
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense
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
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 - 1.7 Oz.
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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