The 12 Best Niacinamide Products of 2023 | by Byrdie

We conducted hours of research on the best niacinamide products, evaluating each formula on the type, skin benefits, and how effective it is in delivering results. After consulting with a board-certified dermatologist, and considering dozens of different formulas, we landed on the following best in show.

As if that wasn’t enough, niacinamide is also anti-inflammatory, great for those with acne, and can help combat hyperpigmentation and even help smooth lines and wrinkles. We love that it’s gentle enough for those with sensitive skin, making it a versatile staple in your beauty cabinet.

Dealing with, well, pretty much any kind of complexion concern? Odds are good that niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a solution—it can do pretty much anything and everything. “Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient that’s beneficial for a wide range of skin conditions,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez of Riverchase Dermatology, adding that it helps the skin produce more ceramides, ingredients that are essential for maintaining a strong and healthy skin barrier.

What to Look For

Best Overall

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

4.6

Paula’s Choice

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What We Like

• Can be used on its own or mixed with other products

• Sheer formula is lightweight and not sticky

What We Don’t Like

• Has a slight scent, attributed to vitamin C

This mix-in is the perfect way to work niacinamide into your existing skincare routine. The name says it all: You get a potent 10% concentration of niacinamide in a lightweight booster that also touts a few other key ingredients. There are skin-soothers such as licorice root and allantoin, plus antioxidant-rich vitamin C.  The formula is super sheer and works great on its own, though you can also mix in a few drops into your favorite serum or moisturizer.

Price at time of publish: $49

Type: Serum | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Drugstore

La Roche-Posay Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3

4.2

Amazon

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Review: La Roche-Posay’s Retinol B3 Serum Makes Sensitive Skin Glow

What We Like

• Offers great anti-aging benefits

• Hydrating formula

What We Don’t Like

• Contains fragrance

Here, niacinamide is paired with retinol, another skincare heavy-hitter, to create an effective anti-aging formula. It’s ideal for both smoothing and hydrating the skin—plus, not only do niacinamide and retinol work synergistically, but the former helps counteract the potentially drying side effects of the latter.

Price at time of publish: $40

Type: Serum | Cruelty-Free: No

What Our Testers Say

“As far as retinol serums are concerned, the value here is incredible. I found it to be super effective, non-irritating, and lovely to use—all qualities I’d expect from a product four times the price.” — Emily Algar, Product Tester

Best Serum

Glossier Super Pure

Amazon

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What We Like

• Light texture layers nicely with other products

• Great for all skin types

What We Don’t Like

• May feel a bit too watery for some

“A 5 percent concentration of niacinamide is combined with zinc, making this a great serum to help combat bacteria and acne,” says Gonzalez of another one of her faves. But even if you’re not prone to breakouts, it’s a great choice because it balances, smoothes, and hydrates the skin. Gonzalez also points out that it has an almost water-like texture that absorbs quickly without ever feeling sticky or tacky and layers nicely with other serums and moisturizers, a boon for those who like to mix and match.

Price at time of publish: $30

Type: Serum | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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Best Moisturizer

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

4.2

Amazon

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What We Like

• Lightweight yet hydrating texture

• Affordable

What We Don’t Like

• Not clean or cruelty-free

A true all-in-one, this moisturizer both effectively moisturizes and helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide is at the top of the ingredient list (a tell-tale sign that you’re getting an effective amount in the formula), and it’s also paired with hydrating hyaluronic acid and skin-smoothing and firming peptides too. It’s no surprise that this is a total cult classic.

Price at time of publish: $37

Type: Moisturizer | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Sunscreen

Colorescience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50

Amazon

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What We Like

• Helps with redness instantly and long-term

• Relies on gentle, mineral sunscreens

What We Don’t Like

• Formula can be a little heavy on skin

Pricey, yes, but Gonzalez says this multitasking sunscreen is worth every penny. Along with being a mineral sunscreen that’s gentle on sensitive skin, niacinamide helps to tamp down redness and inflammation. Bonus points for the subtle green tint that instantly neutralizes ruddiness, a great choice for those with rosacea, she says. Although its texture is thicker than other products on this list, for a mineral sunscreen, this is somewhat unavoidable.

Price at time of publish: $155

Type: Sunscreen | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Night Cream

EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer

4.9

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What We Like

• Pump top bottle is more sanitary than a jar

• Contains high concentration of niacinamide

What We Don’t Like

• Not clean or cruelty-free

Gonzalez is a fan of this PM powerhouse, which she lauds for containing niacinamide and linoleic acid to help calm inflammation and protect the skin barrier overnight. She also points out that it’s both oil- and fragrance-free, a great pick for those with acne-prone and/or sensitive skin alike.

Price at time of publish: $40

Type: Night cream | Cruelty-Free: No

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Best for Dark Spots

TruAlchemy Spot Check

Amazon

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What We Like

• Contains multiple brightening ingredients

• Pleasant, naturally-derived scent

What We Don’t Like

• May be a bit sticky initially

Niacinamide is well-known for being an effective ingredient to help fade existing spots and ward off new ones by interfering with the production of melanin (AKA pigment). Here, it works underneath the surface of the skin to do that, while a special trio of acids (glycolic, lactic, and phytic) dissolve the dead and discolored cells on top of the skin. Also nice: It’s fragrance-, paraben-, and dye-free.

Price at time of publish: $59

Type: Serum | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Toner

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner

Amazon

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What We Like

• Alcohol-free formula won’t dry out skin

• Affordable price point

What We Don’t Like

• May take a while to notice results

“This toner is formulated with a stable form of vitamin C, which works in conjunction with niacinamide to help reduce hyperpigmentation by protecting the skin from free radicals and blocking the production of melanin or pigment,” explains Gonalez. It’s alcohol-free, so there’s no need to worry about it being dry or irritating, even if your skin is on the sensitive side.

Price at time of publish: $14

Type: Toner |  Cruelty-Free: Yes

The 14 Best Toners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion

Amazon

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What We Like

• Effective but not drying

• Fragrance-free

What We Don’t Like

• Application can be a bit messy

It may be the salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxides of the world that get all the love and attention when it comes to acne-fighting, but niacinamide definitely deserves a spot on that list, too. It’s great for combating inflammation (buh-bye red, swollen, painful blemishes), and you don’t have to worry about any drying side effects, as you do with other acne ingredients. Here, it’s paired with zinc oxide, which helps absorb excess oil and keep pores clear in a lightweight liquid that’s easy to work into your skincare routine. Bonus points for the fact that it works super quickly to minimize the look of pimples.

Price at time of publish: $19

Type: Acne Treatment |  Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Eye Cream

First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream

Sephora

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What We Like

• Great for all skin types

• Works well morning or night

What We Don’t Like

• Container is not the most hygienic

As a general rule of thumb, you have to be careful when using potent skincare actives around your eyes (given that the skin here is more delicate and prone to irritation), but niacinamide is totally okay to use near your peepers. We’re partial to this formula, which has niacinamide to help even skin over time and provides a subtle, light-reflecting tint to instantly improve the look of dark circles—all while adding plenty of hydration, of course.

Price at time of publish: $36

Type: Eye cream |  Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Mask

Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Mask

4.7

Sephora

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What We Like

• Can be used nightly

• Great for all skin types

What We Don’t Like

• Can take a while to see results

Use this in lieu of or layered over your go-to night cream and let the potent concentration (10 percent, to be exact) of niacinamide go to town. It helps balance oil production and even out skin’s texture, although there are also other good-for-your-complexion ingredients in the mix. Namely, antioxidant-rich blueberry seed oil and moisture boosting panthenol and beta-glucan. Plus, it’s great for all skin types, including the sensitive set.

Price at time of publish: $44

Type: Mask |  Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder

Sephora

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What We Like

• Great to use with a variety of products

• Very affordable

What We Don’t Like

• Shouldn’t be mixed with formulas that have a pH of 5 or lower

For those who want to reap the (many) benefits of niacinamide, but don’t want to necessarily add a whole new product into their routine, this is the solution. It’s straight-up powdered niacinamide; channel your inner cosmetic chemist and mix it with any water-based formula of your choosing, although you should note that figuring out how much to use for your skin can take some getting used to. The wallet-friendly price tag is just the cherry on top.

Price at time of publish: $6

Type: Powder |  Cruelty-Free: Yes