The best niacinamide serums are the ones that quietly help the appearance of shine, uneven tone and the look of pores while playing nicely with the rest of your routine. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is one of skincare’s most versatile and well-tolerated ingredients, which is why it turns up everywhere from six-pound budget bottles to prestige boosters. Our six picks span both ends, all real and widely available. As ever, this is editorial guidance rather than medical advice, and a patch test comes first.
How we chose
We selected serums with genuine reputations across a sensible range of strengths, from a gentle 5% to a higher 12%, because more is not always better and the right percentage depends on your skin. We favoured formulas that add something useful, hydration from hyaluronic acid or squalane, or soothing antioxidants, and we included budget champions alongside prestige options so there is a fit for every wallet. We avoided medical or miracle claims: niacinamide helps the appearance of common concerns over weeks of consistent use, not overnight. A small note on strength, too, since it trips people up: if a higher percentage leaves your skin looking flushed or feeling tingly, that is a cue to drop down rather than push through, because the gentler formulas are just as worthwhile. For the wider routine, our skincare hub has more.
Part of niacinamide’s appeal is how many boxes one bottle ticks. Oily and combination skin tend to like it for helping the look of shine and pores; dull or uneven tone can look brighter and more even over time; and because it is a barrier-supporting ingredient, even dry and sensitive types often get on well with it. That versatility is exactly why it has become a routine staple rather than a niche treatment, and why it slots so easily alongside the other steps you may already use.
1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The serum that made niacinamide a household name, this budget hero pairs 10% niacinamide with zinc. Why it made the six: it is astonishingly cheap and hugely popular with oily and blemish-prone skin for helping the look of shine and congestion. Price band: Budget, around £6 / $6. The Sixated take: unbeatable value and a fine starting point; some find the higher strength slightly tacky, so a thin layer works best. Not everyone needs 10%, but at this price it is easy to try.
2. Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
A polished booster with a thin, watery texture that includes vitamin C, liquorice extract, hyaluronic acid and provitamin B5. Why it made the six: it is frequently recommended for sensitive skin and layers seamlessly under other products without any tackiness. Price band: Splurge, around £42 / $49. The Sixated take: the refined choice if texture and a supportive formula matter to you; the budget picks cover the basics, so buy this for the experience.
3. Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12%
A slightly higher-strength serum blending 12% niacinamide with zinc PCA, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Why it made the six: it is a well-formulated mid-range option that targets shine and the look of texture while still including hydrating support. Price band: Mid, around £18 / $20. The Sixated take: a smart step up for oilier skin that tolerates niacinamide well; introduce it gradually given the higher percentage.
4. The INKEY List Niacinamide Serum
A budget favourite that leans hydrating, pairing niacinamide with hyaluronic acid and squalane. Why it made the six: it feels more cushioning than most niacinamide serums, which suits combination skin that wants oil control without tightness. Price band: Budget, around £8 / $9. The Sixated take: a lovely value pick if you find pure niacinamide serums a little bare; the added hydrators make it comfortable daily.
5. Glossier Super Pure Niacinamide + Zinc Serum
A gentler formula at 5% niacinamide with zinc, in Glossier’s characteristically minimal style. Why it made the six: it is a fuss-free, lower-strength option for those who find 10% or 12% too much, or who are new to actives. Price band: Mid, around £26 / $30. The Sixated take: a soft-touch choice for sensitive or beginner skin; it may not be potent enough for very oily complexions, so match the strength to your needs.
6. Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum
A stripped-back, ultra-affordable serum that simply delivers niacinamide without extras. Why it made the six: it does the basics well for pocket change, making it ideal for testing whether niacinamide suits you at all. Price band: Budget, around £6 / $6. The Sixated take: honest and cheerful; not fancy, but a perfectly good way to trial the ingredient before spending more.
Fitting niacinamide into your routine
Niacinamide is one of the easiest actives to live with. Most people use it once or twice a day after cleansing and before moisturiser, starting with a lower strength if their skin is sensitive and building up. Ignore the old myth about not mixing it with vitamin C; most people use the two together happily, and niacinamide is often paired with retinol to help buffer dryness. Layer it over a hyaluronic acid serum for extra comfort, keep it in rotation while you try retinol at night, and never skip your daily sunscreen. From all of us at Sixated: niacinamide is a low-drama, high-value addition to almost any routine, so start cheap, be consistent, and give it a few weeks before you judge the results.