12 Best Niacinamide Serum UK 2026 - Tested and Ranked

This is my holy grail. I am not being dramatic - the ANUA Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% is the product that finally, genuinely shifted my pigmentation. If you have spent months staring at dark spots left behind by breakouts, watching them refuse to budge no matter what you throw at them, this is the one that changes the conversation.The formula combines 10% niacinamide with 4% tranexamic acid, 2% arbutin and a vitamin C derivative - basically every brightening ingredient that actually has clinical backing, in one bottle. My texture is smoother, my skin is noticeably brighter, and those post-inflammatory marks that used to hang around for months are fading in weeks. I still get the occasional hormonal spot, but the scarring afterwards is minimal now. The serum itself is lightweight, absorbs in seconds, and layers under everything without pilling.ANUA is a K-beauty brand that does not get enough credit in the UK yet, but trust me - this formula is better than products three times its price.Best for:Anyone battling dark spots, post-acne marks, or uneven skin tone. This is the one I tell everyone to try first.

If you want a niacinamide serum that does double duty on pores and early signs of ageing, Medik8 has nailed it. Their Niacinamide Peptides formula pairs 10% niacinamide with a 3% crystallide peptide complex and zinc PCA, targeting enlarged pores, uneven texture and fine lines simultaneously.The texture is silky and absorbs almost instantly - none of that tacky residue you get with cheaper serums. I notice my pores looking tighter within an hour of application, and over a few weeks the overall refinement of my skin is undeniable. It is pricey at £49, but Medik8 formulations are clinical-grade and the results reflect that. This is the one I reach for when my skin needs to look its absolute best.Best for:Late twenties and beyond, when pore size and fine lines start demanding attention. Worth the splurge if you want clinical results.

This is the heavy hitter. Paula's Choice does not mess around with their CLINICAL line, and this 20% niacinamide treatment is formulated for skin that needs serious brightening. Twenty per cent is a high concentration - one of the highest on the market - and they have paired it with vitamin C and acetyl glucosamine for extra pigmentation-fighting power.It is a thicker serum than most niacinamide products, almost a lightweight cream texture, and a little goes a long way. I would recommend building up to this if you have not used high-strength niacinamide before - start every other night. The results on dark spots and overall radiance are genuinely impressive, but the price and small bottle size (20ml) mean it is firmly a targeted treatment rather than a daily all-over serum.Best for:Stubborn hyperpigmentation, melasma, and post-inflammatory marks that lower concentrations have not shifted. The nuclear option, in the best way.

The more approachable Paula's Choice option. The 10% Niacinamide Booster is designed to be mixed into your existing serum or moisturiser, or used on its own - which gives it a flexibility that standalone serums lack. Two to three drops is all you need.I love this for mornings because it is so lightweight it practically disappears. It visibly tightens pores over a few weeks and takes the edge off any redness. The booster format means you can adjust the strength - one drop for sensitive days, three for when you want full impact. At £49 for 20ml it is not cheap, but the dropper delivery means it lasts longer than you would think.Best for:People who want to add niacinamide to a routine they already love without replacing anything. Smart, flexible formulation.

Here is where K-beauty gets seriously competitive. TIRTIR's 20% Niacinamide Serum delivers the same concentration as Paula's Choice CLINICAL at less than half the price, and the supporting cast is impressive - alpha arbutin, glutathione, retinol and zinc PCA all make the ingredients list.The texture is watery and absorbs fast, which I prefer for layering under SPF in the morning. It controls oil beautifully throughout the day without drying my skin out, and after a few weeks of use my overall tone looks more even and luminous. If you want high-strength niacinamide without the premium price tag, TIRTIR is punching well above its weight.Best for:Oily and combination skin types who want high-strength brightening on a realistic budget. Incredible value.

COSRX is the K-beauty brand that skincare obsessives trust with their eyes closed, and their Niacinamide 15% Serum lives up to the reputation. Fifteen per cent is a strong concentration paired with N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and zinc PCA - a combination specifically targeted at enlarged pores and rough texture.The formula has a slightly gel-like consistency that feels cooling on the skin. It sinks in within a minute and leaves a semi-matte finish, which makes it brilliant under makeup. I have noticed a real difference in pore visibility around my nose and cheeks after using this consistently. It does not have the pigmentation-fighting extras of the ANUA, but for pure pore and texture refinement it is exceptional.Best for:Enlarged pores and bumpy texture. If those are your primary concerns, this is purpose-built for you.

A quick disclaimer - the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum is not a niacinamide-only product. The star here is 60% propolis extract, with niacinamide in a supporting role. But the reason I have included it is because the combination is genuinely brilliant for skin that needs calming, brightening and healing simultaneously.Propolis is a natural antibacterial produced by bees, and when paired with niacinamide it creates this beautiful anti-inflammatory, glow-boosting effect. The texture is honey-like (fitting) and gives your skin an immediate dewy finish that looks like you have had eight hours of sleep even when you have had five. Beauty of Joseon has become a cult favourite for a reason - this feels luxurious, works quietly in the background, and the price is absurd for what you get.Best for:Sensitive, reactive, or post-breakout skin that needs soothing AND brightening. Also gorgeous as a glow-boosting layer under makeup.

The INKEY List has quietly built one of the strongest affordable skincare ranges in the UK, and their Supersolutions Niacinamide 20% is the powerhouse of the line. Twenty per cent concentration at £13 is remarkable value - you are getting the same strength as Paula's Choice CLINICAL for a quarter of the price.It is specifically formulated for redness and excess oil, and it delivers. The serum is fragrance-free, lightweight, and leaves a lovely matte-ish finish that oily skin types will appreciate. If you are prone to redness around your nose and cheeks that flares up with every temperature change, this may help visibly calm things down within a couple of weeks.Best for:Redness-prone and oily skin on a budget. Extraordinary concentration for the price.

Minimalist is an Indian skincare brand that has been gaining serious traction in the UK, and their 10% niacinamide serum shows why. The formula is clean and straightforward - 10% niacinamide with zinc for oil control and blemish reduction, no unnecessary fragrance or filler ingredients.The texture is truly water-like and absorbs in seconds. It works brilliantly under sunscreen without any stickiness. I particularly rate this for acne-prone skin because the zinc helps regulate sebum production while the niacinamide fades the marks left behind. At around £10, it is an easy recommendation for anyone who wants results without the faff of a complicated formula.Best for:Acne-prone skin that needs both active breakout control and post-acne mark fading. Simple, effective, affordable.

Revolution Skincare has come a long way from being dismissed as just a makeup dupe brand. Their 15% Niacinamide Super Strength Serum offers a higher concentration than most budget competitors at under £9, and it does the job. Pore appearance reduces, oil production calms down, and blemishes heal a bit faster.The formula includes zinc for additional oil control. The texture is slightly thicker than The Ordinary's but still absorbs well. It is widely available at Superdrug, Boots and Amazon, which makes it one of the easiest niacinamide serums to get your hands on in the UK. Not the most elegant formula on this list, but for pure value per percentage point it is hard to argue with.Best for:Budget-conscious buyers who want a higher concentration than the standard 10% without paying premium prices.

The gentler sibling of the 20% Supersolutions version. The INKEY List 10% Niacinamide is a no-frills, effective daily serum that does exactly what it says - reduces oil, minimises pore appearance, and helps even out your skin tone over time.If you are new to niacinamide and the idea of 15-20% concentrations makes you nervous, this is a beautiful starting point. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and the price means you can use it generously without wincing. I think of this as the reliable everyday basic - not the most exciting product on the list, but one that quietly does brilliant work without any drama.Best for:Niacinamide beginners and anyone who wants a solid, fuss-free daily serum at a friendly price.

The one that started the niacinamide craze. The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has been the best-selling serum in the UK for years and it is still a perfectly solid product at an astonishing £5. The zinc helps regulate oil production, making it particularly good for oily and combination skin types.I will be honest though - the formula can pill under certain moisturisers and sunscreens if you are not careful with layering. Let it fully absorb for a good 60 seconds before applying anything on top. Some people also find 10% niacinamide combined with zinc a touch drying, so if your skin leans dry you might prefer the INKEY List or Beauty of Joseon instead. But for the price? It is hard to beat as a gateway into niacinamide.Best for:Oily skin on a tight budget. The gateway drug to proper skincare - cheap enough to try without any commitment.