Whether you’ve heard of it already or not, niacinamide is a popular ingredient in many skincare products.

Primarily used for supporting blemish-prone skin, there are a variety of other benefits to products with niacinamide in too.

So to help you introduce this wonderful ingredient to your skincare regime, we’ve listed four of the best niacinamide serums and products to get the ball rolling.

In this article, you’ll learn about:

• What niacinamide serum is and the benefits
• Whether you can use niacinamide products everyday
• When to add it to your routine
• Some of the best niacinamide serums/creams available
• If you can use niacinamide with retinol

What is niacinamide serum?

Let’s start with the basics. What is niacinamide serum? Also known as nicotinamide, niacinamide is derived from vitamin B3.

It can be taken in a tablet form to help with vitamin B3 deficiency, or use topically in a serum to support skin health.

Can you use niacinamide serum every day?

With certain skincare products, it’s not recommended that you use them everyday as it could cause sensitivity, or even damage.

However, as niacinamide serum is generally well tolerated by most skin types it can be used up to every day, as this has shown positive results in trials.³

Always refer to a product's directions when using it.   

When should niacinamide serum be used in routine?

In order to get the most out of your skincare products, it’s important to use them in the right order.

So since a lot of niacinamide serums are water-based, it’s best to apply it to dry, cleansed skin as it is water based – and then proceed with any oil-based serums or moisturisers as this could limit the penetration of niacinamide into your skin.

Equally, you should try to avoid using niacinamide and vitamin C products together, as this may reduce its effectiveness.⁴

Is niacinamide serum good for blemishes? 

We briefly mentioned this earlier, but yes, niacinamide serum is good for blemish-prone skin.

This is largely due to the soothing properties that it has on the skin.

In particular, this helps with the redness and swelling that often accompanies breakouts, as well as regulating oil production that often leads to spots.⁵

Summary

• Niacinamide serum comes from vitamin B-3 and is available in a variety of different over-the-counter products
• There are a lot of benefits to using niacinamide, as it has both anti-aging and soothing properties
• For the best results, be sure to apply niacinamide before any oils or oil-based products

8 of the best niacinamide serums

With so many different serums on the market, it can be hard to choose the right one for you. 

We've rounded up 8 of the best niacinamide serums available in the UK today, along with what our customers have to say about them. 

1. Oleus Niacinamide & Zinc Serum 50ml

Customer rating: 4.1/5 stars

Looking for a niacinamide serum that you can easily add to both your morning and evening skincare routine?

This Oleus serum contains both Zinc and Niacinamide in order to maximise the soothing effects on spot-prone skin.

How to apply it:

• Can be used in both the morning and evening at the start of your skincare regime
•  Apply 2-3 drops either direct to your face and neck or massage in with your palms
• Can be combined with the Oleus Moisturiser

Joy Orchidée - 5/5 stars
"It is perfect for my skin, it moisturizes and reduces the blemishes and spots that I used to have. I combine it with a moisturiser which adds to the texture of my skin."

2. Pretty Athletic Workout Glow Hyaluronic Vitamin Tonic 100ml

Customer rating: 5/5 stars

While this isn’t technically a serum, it is a great product that contains niacinamide.

With a 3-in-1 formula designed to cleanse, nourish and hydrate the skin – this spray is perfect for spritzing both before and after your workouts – as well as any other time you fancy a boost!

How to apply it:

• Shake the bottle well
• Close your eyes and spritz liberally onto the face
• Wipe off any excess with a cotton pad
• Alternatively, saturate a cotton pad and sweep across the face. Use pre & post exercise

LauraE - 5/5 stars
"Feels lovely on your skin and perfect for after a workout. Smells lovely too"

3. Clear Skin Days Mattifying Barrier Moisturiser 50ml

Customer rating: 5/5 stars

Oily skin can be frustrating at the best of times, but that’s where the Clear Skin Days mattifying moisturiser comes in.

Again, while this doesn’t fall into the category of a niacinamide serum, it is one of the key ingredients for boosting hydration without adding to oil levels.

How to apply it: Can be used in both the morning and evening. Massage into cleansed skin.

Becks7293 - 5/5 stars
"I’ve been using this product for a couple of months daily and I love it! It leaves me skin feeling hydrated but not oily and is the perfect base for my makeup!"

4. Q+A Zinc PCA Daily Moisturiser 75ml

Customer rating: None yet - brand new to H&B! 

The dream combination returns again.

Both zinc and niacinamide feature in this simply, easy-to-use daily moisturiser – so you don’t have to worry about switching up the order of your skincare regime with this one!

How to apply it:

• Massage into clean skin
• Can be used in the morning and night

5. Vitaskin Vitamin B Mattifying Hydration Serum

Customer rating: None yet - brand new to H&B!

If you’re looking for a serum that is mattifying, hydrating and contains niacinamide – then this could be the product for you.

Designed to help your skin regulate sebum and minimise the appearance of blemishes, this serum is ideal for ‘problem’ skin.

How to apply it:

• Simply add a few drops to areas of the skin that tend to break out after cleansing, then gently massage in
• Allow it to absorb completely and wait a few minutes before using any other skin care products

6. Vitaskin Vitamin B Clarifying Mask

Customer rating: None yet - brand new to H&B! 

Again, we know this isn’t technically a serum… but it would be rude not to include it.

Why not supplement your niacinamide serum with a niacinamide mask?

Made with a combination of niacinamide, panthenol and eucalyptus oil, this clarifying mask targets redness, blemishes and boosts hydration.

How to apply it:

• Place some of the mask onto your fingertips and apply generously over clean skin
• Then leave it on for ten minutes before rinsing with warm water

7. Vitaskin Vitamin B Blemish Control Gel Cleanser

Customer rating: 5/5 stars

Another product to use alongside your serum, this gel cleanser also contains niacinamide as a key ingredient, helping to keep your blemishes in check.

How to apply it:

• Wet your hands and face with lukewarm water before gently massaging in
• Then once thoroughly cleansed, rinse with more lukewarm water

Chrissie - 5/5 stars
"Used for the first time after a very muggy day. Skin felt fresh and clean without any tightness. I love the A range so I was very pleased to see some new additions."

8. Vitaskin Vitamin B Spot Target Gel

Customer rating: None yet - brand new to H&B!

Our final recommendation is another product to use alongside the serums – niacinamide spot target gel.

Designed to work on individual pimples, this will help to reduce the size and bring down the redness.

How to apply it:

• Make sure the skin is fully cleansed
• Apply a thin layer of the gel to the affected area with clean fingers

Can niacinamide and retinol be used together?

Another one of the most popular skincare products out there at the moment is retinol.

But can niacinamide and retinol be used together?

Fortunately, this combination is a winning one – something that is rare if you use retinol on the regular.

Any sensitivity or dryness that comes about with the retinization period are soothed away by niacinamide.

You can get the two in one handy bottle or use them separately - the choice is yours.

Potential side effects of niacinamide

Thankfully, there aren’t many concerns to be worried about when trying niacinamide for the first time.

However, the only thing to be aware of is potential skin concerns.

So if you’re concerned that this might happen to you, please contact your GP or dermatologist for specialised information.

The final say  

With so many different benefits for the skin, we’re sure you’re dying to get your hands on the perfect niacinamide serum for you.

So try one of our suggested niacinamide serums above, and have a skin pampering session suitable for the gods.

Last updated: 16 July 2021