Niacinamide serum: benefits, how to use & price comparison
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) may help your skin barrier hold on to water; reviews describe better barrier function with regular use; Studies show topical niacinamide may help reduce the look of dark spots and uneven tone over 8 to 12 weeks of use.
Listed MRP per ml ranges from ₹16.63 to ₹26.60 across 8 products.
Price comparison
| Brand | Product | Key actives | Size | MRP | ₹ / ml | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Sheth's | Dr. Sheth's Centella & 10% Niacinamide Ampoule Serum | Niacinamide 10%, Centella | 30 ml | ₹499.00 | ₹16.63 | 19 October 2026 |
| Pilgrim | Pilgrim 10% Niacinamide Face Serum with 1% Zinc PCA | Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA 1% | 30 ml | ₹595.00 | ₹19.83 | 19 October 2026 |
| Minimalist | Minimalist Niacinamide 10% Face Serum | Niacinamide 10%, Zinc | 30 ml | ₹599.00 | ₹19.97 | 19 October 2026 |
| The Derma Co | The Derma Co 10% Niacinamide Face Serum with 2% Zinc PCA | Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA 2% | 30 ml | ₹599.00 | ₹19.97 | 19 October 2026 |
| Foxtale | Foxtale 12% Niacinamide Clarifying Serum | Niacinamide 12% | 30 ml | ₹645.00 | ₹21.50 | 19 October 2026 |
| Plum | Plum 10% Niacinamide & Rice Water Brightening Face Serum | Niacinamide 10%, Rice Water | 30 ml | ₹659.00 | ₹21.97 | 19 October 2026 |
| Deconstruct | Deconstruct Brightening Niacinamide Serum | Niacinamide 10%, Alpha Arbutin 0.3% | 30 ml | ₹699.00 | ₹23.30 | 19 October 2026 |
| Simple | Simple Booster Serum 10% Niacinamide | Niacinamide 10% | 15 ml | ₹399.00 | ₹26.60 | 19 October 2026 |
These are cosmetics. A cosmetic cannot treat or prevent a skin, scalp or hair condition. Product names and claims are the brands' own; Medyzen has not tested these products. MRPs are as listed on the date shown and may have changed. Listing is by price per ml/g, not a recommendation.
What it does
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3) may help your skin barrier hold on to water; reviews describe better barrier function with regular use.
- Studies show topical niacinamide may help reduce the look of dark spots and uneven tone over 8 to 12 weeks of use.
- It may help reduce the look of oiliness and enlarged pores, which is why it is popular with oily and combination skin.
- Reviews report that niacinamide may calm the look of redness and is generally well tolerated by most skin types.
How to use
Use 2 to 3 drops on clean, dry skin once or twice a day, morning and/or night, after face wash and before moisturiser. In the morning, finish with sunscreen. Start with a 2% to 5% strength if your skin is sensitive; 10% is common but not always needed. Before first use, patch-test: apply a small amount behind your ear or on your inner arm once or twice a day for 7 to 10 days and stop if you get itching, redness or swelling.
Can be combined with / Avoid combining with
Can be combined with
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramide moisturiser
- Sunscreen
- Retinol (on alternate layers or nights, if your skin tolerates it)
- Vitamin C
Avoid combining with
- Too many other strong actives in one routine at the start (introduce one new product at a time)
- Layering several high-strength niacinamide products at once, which may raise the chance of redness
Possible side effects
- Mild redness, warmth or flushing, more likely at higher strengths
- Itching or stinging on sensitive or broken skin
- Small bumps or breakouts in a few people, often linked to the overall formula
Who should avoid it
- Anyone who has reacted to niacinamide or another ingredient in the product
- Broken, cut, sunburnt or actively inflamed skin
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, niacinamide is generally considered low-risk, but check with your doctor before adding new actives
Frequently asked questions
Can I use niacinamide and vitamin C together?
Yes, most people can. The old idea that they cancel each other out came from tests with pure ingredients at high heat. You can apply vitamin C first and niacinamide after, or use vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide at night if your skin feels irritated.
Minimalist niacinamide side effects
A 10% niacinamide serum may cause mild redness, warmth, itching or small bumps in some people, especially when first used or layered with other actives. Patch-test first, use it once a day for the first week, and stop if irritation continues.
Niacinamide serum day or night?
Both work. Niacinamide is not known to make skin more sensitive to the sun, so you can use it in the morning under sunscreen, at night, or both.
Is 10% niacinamide too strong?
Not for everyone, but lower strengths (2% to 5%) have also shown results in studies and are less likely to cause redness. If 10% stings, switch to a lower strength.
Can niacinamide remove dark spots completely?
No cosmetic can promise that. Studies show niacinamide may help lighten the look of dark spots over weeks, and daily sunscreen is essential to stop them from darkening again.
How long does niacinamide take to show results?
Most studies measure changes after 4 to 12 weeks of regular use. Give a product at least 8 weeks before judging it.
Can I use niacinamide with retinol?
Yes. Many people find niacinamide makes a retinol routine feel more comfortable. Apply retinol at night and niacinamide in the morning, or layer them if your skin tolerates both.
Is niacinamide good for oily skin and acne-prone skin?
Studies show niacinamide may help reduce the look of oiliness and blemishes. It is a cosmetic and is not a substitute for acne treatment advised by a dermatologist.
Sources
- DermNet NZ: Nicotinamide (19 October 2026)
- PubMed: Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology (19 October 2026)
- PubMed: Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation (19 October 2026)
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to test skin care products (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general cosmetic information, not medical advice. A cosmetic cannot treat a skin condition; see a doctor or dermatologist for acne, pigmentation or any persistent skin problem. Terms