3 Best Niacinamide Serums for Oily Acne-Prone Skin in 2026

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  • Post last modified:19 January 2026

For oily, acne-prone skin, consider these top niacinamide serums: Good Molecules offers a fragrance-free formula with 10% niacinamide to reduce oil and brighten skin; The Ordinary provides a 10% niacinamide plus 1% zinc blend that targets pores and controls sebum; Biomlogy’s soothing serum combines 7% niacinamide with salicylic acid, ideal for sensitive skin. Look for products with balanced pH and added oil-control ingredients. Continuing with this guide will reveal key tips to optimize your skincare routine.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum, 10% Niacinamide for Acne, Skin Nourishment & Brightening

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum - 10% Niacinamide to Target Acne, Nourishment, and Skin Tone -...
  • BRIGHT AND HEALTHY COMPLEXION: Refine tone and improve texture while nourishing your skin! Embrace newfound confidence...
  • SOOTHING AND NON-DRYING: Beneficial for acne prone skin and clogged pores. This serum is non-drying and designed to help...

The Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum is a good choice if you have oily or combination skin. It helps with many skin concerns. The serum has 10% niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3. This ingredient helps even out skin tone and smooth texture. It also shrinks big pores and clears up breakouts. The formula is fragrance-free, gentle, and has a pH of 7.1. It’s safe for sensitive skin.

To use, put a few drops on your face after cleaning. Do this in the morning and at night. The ingredients support your skin’s barrier. They can help your skin stay healthy, brighter, and less dry or irritated.

Best for: People with oily or mixed skin who want to brighten skin, make texture smooth, and reduce pores. It also helps keep skin barrier healthy.

Pros:

  • Brightens skin and makes tone more even
  • Shrinks big pores and reduces pimples
  • Gentle and safe for sensitive skin, no added scent

Cons:

  • Results can take time
  • The pH (7.1) may be higher than some prefer for a serum
  • Not for quick or strong drying effects

This serum is easy to use and good for many skin types. It helps your skin look healthier and clearer over time.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Smoothing Serum

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Smoothing Serum for Blemish-Prone Skin, 1 Fl Oz
  • BOOSTS BRIGHTNESS & SMOOTHNESS: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% visibly improves skin radiance and smooths texture in one...
  • HYDRATING FORMULA: Lightweight water-based serum that reinforces the skin barrier and provides hydration in as little as...

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, the Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Smoothing Serum can be a good addition to your skincare routine. This serum has 10% niacinamide, which helps brighten your skin, make pores look smaller, and even out your skin tone. Zinc in the serum, at 1%, helps control oil and can help reduce breakouts.

Many people notice their skin becomes clearer and more balanced after using this serum regularly. It soaks in quickly and feels light on the skin, so you can wear it during the day or night. Applying it twice a day after cleansing can show visible results within a few weeks.

This product is affordable and comes in a 30 ml bottle that lasts for several months. It’s a simple, effective choice for people who want to improve their skin’s appearance and reduce blemishes.

Best For: People with oily or acne-prone skin who want to clear up blemishes, control oil, and make their skin look brighter and smoother.

Pros:

  • Helps make skin clearer and reduces the look of pores
  • Evens out skin tone
  • Light and quick to absorb, perfect for daily use
  • Affordable and lasts a long time

Cons:

  • Some people might feel dry or irritated at first, especially if they have sensitive skin
  • A few bottles may have packaging issues, like missing some product
  • The scent can be strong or off-putting for some users

Biomlogy Soothing Serum for Acne-Prone Skin (30ml)

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Biomlogy Soothing Serum for Acne-Prone Skin | Acne Treatment with 7% Niacinamide & 2% Salicylic Acid...
  • Targeted Acne Control: Struggling with stubborn breakouts and active acne? Biomlogy Soothing Serum combines 7%...
  • Oil & Pore Management: Excess oil making your skin shiny and pores more visible? This lightweight serum targets oily...

Biomlogy Soothing Serum is made for people with oily, acne-prone skin. It helps reduce pimples and controls extra oil. The serum has 7% niacinamide, which helps balance your skin’s oil and smooth out texture. It also contains 2% salicylic acid, which unclogs pores and stops breakouts before they start.

This serum is lightweight. It feels gentle on the skin and helps reduce redness. It also brightens dull skin and makes your skin look clearer. It is free from parabens, sulfates, and harsh chemicals. This makes it safe for sensitive skin too.

Use this serum in the morning and at night. It can help shrink pores, cut down shine, and give you healthy-looking skin. It works best when used regularly. With time, your skin will look smoother, less oily, and clearer.

This product is good for people with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin who want a gentle but effective way to fight spots and excess oil.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Niacinamide Serums for Oily Acne‑Prone Skin

When choosing a niacinamide serum for oily, acne-prone skin, it’s important to take into account the ingredient concentration, which typically ranges from 2% to 10%. You should also look for formulas with oil-control properties and skin sensitivity in mind, ensuring they won’t cause irritation. Additionally, factors like pore-minimizing effects, formulation stability, and fragrance-free options contribute to making an effective choice.

Ingredient Concentration Balance

Choosing the right amount of niacinamide in your serum is important. It helps your skin feel good and works well. For oily or acne-prone skin, a concentration of 5% to 10% works best. This amount gives your skin the benefits without causing irritation.

If you use more than 10%, it might help make your pores look smaller. But, it can also cause dryness or redness, especially if your skin is sensitive. On the other hand, lower doses, between 2% and 5%, are gentle. They help calm your skin and make your skin barrier stronger. However, these lower doses may not fully help reduce oil or fight stubborn pimples.

It’s also good to think about mixing niacinamide with other ingredients like zinc or salicylic acid. These can help control oil and clear acne faster. But don’t add too many strong ingredients at once. Too much can irritate your skin.

Using the right amount of niacinamide and combining it wisely helps keep your skin clear and healthy. It gives you the benefits you want without causing problems.

Oil Control Properties

Niacinamide helps control oil in your skin. It makes less sebum, the stuff that makes your face shiny and oily. Serums with about 10% niacinamide work well to keep oil under control. They also help make pores smaller, so your skin looks less greasy. If you use these serums every day, you can see less oil on your face all day. Your skin stays matte longer, meaning it looks less shiny.

Adding zinc to the serum can make it work even better. Zinc helps stop your skin from making too much oil. When choosing a serum, check that it has enough niacinamide, like 10%, and zinc. Also, pick a serum that is well-made, with a pH close to 7.1. This helps your skin absorb the ingredients better.

In short, for good oil control, pick a serum with good amounts of niacinamide and zinc. Make sure it’s balanced properly. This will help your skin stay clear, less oily, and healthier.

Skin Sensitivity Compatibility

If you have sensitive skin and oily, acne-prone skin, picking the right niacinamide serum is important. First, check the serum’s pH level. The best ones are close to your skin’s natural pH, which is about 4.7 to 5.5. Serums in this range are less likely to cause irritation.

Look for products that are fragrance-free. Also, avoid serums with alcohol, dyes, or harsh preservatives. These can cause reactions.Before using a new serum, do a patch test. Put a small amount on your skin and wait a day to see if it causes any redness or irritation.

Choose serums that have calming ingredients. Aloe vera, ceramides, or niacinamide itself can help soothe your skin. Be careful with higher levels of niacinamide. A 10% concentration can work well for many, but if your skin is very sensitive, try a lower level with extra soothing ingredients.

Sticking to these tips can help you find a niacinamide serum that is safe and gentle for your skin.

Pore-Minimizing Effects

To see smaller pores, use niacinamide serums that have ingredients proven to work. Niacinamide helps boost your skin’s barrier and controls oil. When your skin is strong and less oily, your pores look smaller and smoother. Using the serum regularly helps reduce pores caused by too much oil and dirt trapping in your skin. Think of it as taking care of your skin’s foundation every day. Niacinamide also calms redness and hurts around pores, making your skin look even and even. It blocks overactive oil glands, stopping pores from clogging and causing pimples. Over time, your skin becomes clearer, with fewer open pores and softer texture. For the best results, pick a serum with at least 5% niacinamide. This amount has been shown to work well for oily and acne-prone skin.

Formulation and Fragrance

When choosing a niacinamide serum, look at what’s in it. Fragrance is an important part. Serums that don’t have fragrance are better for oily, sensitive, or acne-prone skin. Fragrance can cause irritation or breakouts. Both artificial and natural fragrances can cause allergies or redness.

Many good serums for oily skin don’t add any fragrance. This helps keep your pores clear and your skin balanced. Fragrance can also make a serum less stable or cause its scent to fade faster. But for sensitive skin, it’s better to pick fragrance-free options.

Choosing a fragrance-free serum helps prevent clogged pores. It also supports your skin’s natural barrier. Look for simple, effective ingredients. This will help you get clearer, healthier skin.

Application Frequency and Routine

Using niacinamide serums the right way can make a big difference in how well they work. Most serums are safe to use every day, twice a day—once in the morning and once at night. Applying the serum regularly helps keep your skin balanced and can reduce acne over time. Put the serum on after you clean your face, but before you put on moisturizer or oil.

Start slowly. Use the serum once a day first. Watch how your skin responds. If your skin feels good, you can use it twice a day. Keep using it each day, even if you don’t see results right away. It can take a few weeks to notice changes like smaller pores or brighter skin.

Be patient and stick to your routine. Using the serum every day makes your skin healthier. The more consistent you are, the better your skin looks over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Niacinamide Cause Skin Irritation or Breakouts?

Niacinamide can cause irritation or breakouts, especially if you have sensitive skin or use a high concentration. To avoid this, start with a patch test, use gradually, and choose products formulated for oily, acne-prone skin.

How Long Does It Take to See Results From Using Niacinamide Serums?

You’ll usually see results from niacinamide serums within 4 to 6 weeks. Consistent use helps reduce oil, blemishes, and redness. Be patient and keep using it daily for the best, noticeable improvements.

Is Niacinamide Safe to Use With Other Acne Treatments?

Yes, niacinamide is generally safe to combine with other acne treatments. You should introduce new products gradually, monitor your skin, and consult your dermatologist to prevent irritation or adverse reactions when combining skincare ingredients.

What Concentration of Niacinamide Is Best for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin?

For oily, acne-prone skin, a niacinamide concentration of 5-10% works best. It helps balance oil production, reduce inflammation, and improve skin texture. Start with a lower percentage to see how your skin reacts.

Can Niacinamide Help Reduce Post-Acne Scars?

Yes, niacinamide can help reduce post-acne scars by boosting collagen production, improving skin texture, and fading pigmentation. You should incorporate it consistently into your skincare routine for visible improvements and a clearer, more even complexion.

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