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Niacinamide

Niacinamide serums compared by brand-listed percentage, ingredient list and price, with what clinical studies at 2% to 5% actually found.

Clear watery gel with tiny bubbles and white crystals on pale pink glass — Illustration (AI-generated; no real products shown).

Every page here lists each product’s brand-stated actives and full ingredient list, and links the dermatology sources behind the advice. Not sure where to start? Match products to your skin.

Head-to-head: bottle vs bottle

Comparison

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Naturium Niacinamide 12% + Zinc 2%

Both are high-strength niacinamide serums with zinc PCA, used morning and night. The Ordinary’s is 10% for $6; Naturium’s is 12% with hyaluronic acid for $17. Published trials used far less niacinamide than either: 2% to 5%.

Ingredient explainers

Guide

What niacinamide percentage do you actually need?

Short answer: the clinical studies we found used 2% niacinamide for oiliness and 5% for spots, blotchiness and fine lines. Serums at 10% to 12% are popular, but we found no trial showing they beat 5%, and higher strengths are more likely to sting reactive skin.

Guide

Can you use niacinamide with vitamin C or retinol?

Short answer: niacinamide with retinol is widely accepted; even Paula’s Choice says they pair well. Niacinamide with vitamin C is where brands disagree, so the simple default is vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide or retinol at night.

Guide

Niacinamide vs vitamin C for dark spots: which should you try first?

Short answer: start with daily sunscreen (tinted, if you have a darker skin tone), then add one product. Niacinamide is the gentler first try with clearer clinical data on spots; L-ascorbic acid vitamin C is the stronger antioxidant but can sting.