Glowy or Not

Last updated: October 2026

If you have oily or combination skin, niacinamide is one of the easiest treatments to start with. It’s gentle, it’s cheap, and you can use it every day. I have combination skin that gets oily in my T-zone, and niacinamide is one of the treatments I use every day.

Over the last 4 to 5 years, my routine of affordable treatments, including niacinamide, vitamin C, retinol and exfoliating acids, has helped with oil, pores and dark spots. I haven’t had dark spots for years, and my skin looks brighter. I can’t say how much of that is niacinamide alone, but it’s been part of it the whole time. So here’s what niacinamide actually does, what dermatologists say about it, and the two budget serums I’ve used.

What is niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. In skincare, it’s loved because it does a little bit of everything. Dermatologist Dr. Kunal Malik told Today it can help strengthen the skin barrier, reduce inflammation and regulate oil production. Dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman added that it may help with signs of aging like fine lines and dark spots.

That’s why it’s such a good fit for oily and combination skin: it helps with shine, the look of pores and uneven tone, without the stinging you can get from acids or retinol.

Is 10% niacinamide too strong?

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer depends on your skin. Dr. Malik suggests 2% to 5% for daily use and 10% for more stubborn concerns. If your skin is sensitive, he recommends starting with a lower strength.

Dermatologist Dr. James Kilgour notes that irritation, tingling and redness are more common with higher concentrations, and that most people do well with 5% or less. So if you’re new to niacinamide and your skin gets red easily, a gentler formula is a smart place to start.

The niacinamide serums I’ve used

1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Price: $6 for 1 fl oz (30 mL) at Sephora and The Ordinary. There’s also a bigger 2 fl oz (60 mL) size.

This is one of the cheapest treatments you can buy, and it’s where I’d tell any beginner to start. I’ve used it every day as part of my routine for oily and combination skin.

It’s also a favorite with experts. Dr. Debra Jaliman picked it as the best niacinamide serum for acne-prone and oily skin. Cosmetic chemist and beauty blogger Michelle Wong of Lab Muffin describes it as very light and watery, just slightly tacky, and says she noticed her pigmentation fading faster while using it.

• Good to know: Michelle Wong found it can pill when layered with oily products, so give it a minute to sink in before your moisturizer. At 10%, it’s on the stronger side, so patch test if your skin is sensitive.
• Best for: Oily and combination skin, and anyone who wants to try niacinamide for the price of a coffee.

2. SOME BY MI Yuja Niacin Anti Blemish Serum

Price: $23.69 for 1.69 fl oz (50 mL) at Vitacost

This is the K-beauty niacinamide I’ve used, and it’s also part of my everyday routine. It pairs niacinamide with yuja, a Korean citrus fruit, and it’s aimed at uneven tone and blemish marks. Like The Ordinary, its label lists 10% niacinamide, so it’s not a low-strength option.

K-beauty blogger K Beauty Hobbit describes it as a light gel that absorbs fast without feeling heavy or sticky, with a refreshing citrus scent. They noticed their skin tone looking more even and brighter over time, not overnight.

• Good to know: K Beauty Hobbit points out it contains citrus peel oil and peppermint extract, so they wouldn’t put it on active breakouts. Patch test first if your skin is sensitive.
• Best for: Combination skin that wants a lightweight serum for brighter, more even-looking skin.

Other niacinamide serums dermatologists recommend

If my two picks aren’t easy to find where you live, these are serums that dermatologists and editors recommended in Today’s niacinamide guide.

Serum	Price and size	Niacinamide	Why it’s recommended
BYOMA Brightening & Hydrating Face Serum	$15.99 for 1 fl oz (30 mL)	About 3.6% to 5.5%	A budget pick for brightening, with ceramides, from Dr. Geeta Yadav
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops	$35 for 1.35 fl oz (40 mL)	2.5%	A glowy, dewy finish, from Dr. Debra Jaliman
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum	$44.99 for 1 fl oz (30 mL)	10%	Targets dark spots without clogging pores, from Dr. Kunal Malik
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster	$49 for 0.67 fl oz (20 mL)	10%	Fragrance-free, with licorice extract for redness, from Dr. Geeta Yadav

• Budget: BYOMA is the gentlest and cheapest of these, and a nice option for sensitive skin.
• For dark spots: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 is the one Dr. Malik recommends, but note it has a scent.
• Splurge: Paula’s Choice is strong and fragrance-free, but it comes in a small bottle.

How to use niacinamide

• Morning, night or both. Dr. Jaliman points out that niacinamide doesn’t react with sunlight, so you can use it any time of day. I use mine every day.
• Apply it after cleansing and toner, before moisturizer. Dermatologist Dr. Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip suggests going from the lightest product to the thickest.
• Start low if your skin is sensitive. A 2% to 5% formula is gentler than 10%.
• Be patient. Brighter, more even skin takes weeks of daily use, not days.
• Always finish with sunscreen in the morning. No serum can fade dark spots if the sun keeps making new ones.

Want to see how niacinamide fits with my other treatments? Here’s my affordable skincare routine for oily and combination skin, with a full weekly schedule.

Can you use niacinamide with vitamin C?

Yes. This one confuses a lot of people. Dr. Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip told Who What Wear that the two work in similar ways but through different pathways, so using them together may give you better results than either one alone. She recommends using them as two separate products rather than one formula with both, because vitamin C is unstable.

One exception: The Ordinary itself recommends applying its niacinamide at a different time from pure vitamin C. An easy fix is vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide at night.

Side effects to know about

Side effects are rare, but they can happen. Dr. Kilgour lists irritation, tingling and redness as the most common, especially at higher strengths. Michelle Wong of Lab Muffin also notes that because niacinamide speeds up skin turnover, some people may notice a little purging at first. If your skin feels uncomfortable, switch to a lower strength or use it every other day.

Final verdict: is niacinamide glowy or not?

Glowy. Niacinamide is one of the easiest, most budget-friendly treatments for oily and combination skin, and it’s gentle enough to use every day. It won’t transform your skin overnight, but as part of my routine over the years, it’s helped keep my skin less oily and brighter. If you’re new, start with The Ordinary for $6, or pick a gentler 2% to 5% formula if your skin is sensitive.

FAQ

What does niacinamide do for your skin?

It can help strengthen your skin barrier, calm redness, regulate oil, and improve the look of fine lines and dark spots, according to dermatologists.

Is niacinamide good for oily skin?

Yes. It helps regulate oil production, which is why dermatologists often recommend it for oily and acne-prone skin.

Can I use niacinamide every day?

Yes. Most people can use it once or twice a day. I use it every day. If you have sensitive skin, start with a lower strength.

Is 10% niacinamide too much?

Not for everyone, but dermatologists say irritation is more common at higher strengths. For daily use, 2% to 5% is plenty for most people.

Can I use niacinamide with retinol?

Niacinamide is gentle and usually layers well with other treatments. In my routine, I use niacinamide daily and save retinol for once a week. If your skin is sensitive, introduce one new treatment at a time.

You might also like: my affordable skincare routine for oily and combination skin and PDRN serums explained.

Sources I used

• Today: the best niacinamide serums, according to dermatologists (Jenna Clark, with Drs. Malik, Yadav, Jaliman and Kilgour)
• Who What Wear: can you mix vitamin C and niacinamide? (Dr. Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip)
• Lab Muffin Beauty Science: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% review (Michelle Wong)
• K Beauty Hobbit: SOME BY MI Yuja Niacin serum review
• Sephora: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

I’ve personally used The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and SOME BY MI Yuja Niacin. Everything else is based on the research above. I’m not a dermatologist, so check with one if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition.