Best Drugstore Niacinamide Serums To Minimize Large Pores & Blemishes

Affiliate links Even if you are not a skincare fanatic like me, there’s a good chance you’ve likely heard of Niacinamide before. Lately, it’s one of the most buzzed about beauty ingredients because of its long list of benefits for skin particularly in regard to large pores and uneven skin tone/texture.

NEW POST: The Best Drugstore Niacinamide Serums 2024

Niacinamide is not really a new ingredient (some brands like Olay have been using it in their products for years!) but it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves in the skincare world.

So, what is Niacinamide and why you should be using it?

Also known as vitamin B3, Niacinamide is a well-researched, proven multitasking ingredient that can solve many skincare woes, no matter your age or skin type.

Niacinamide boasts a long list of perks! It’s a potent antioxidant that’s clinically proven to visibly minimize enlarged pores, improve uneven skin tone & texture, brighten skin (i.e. help fade dark spots, acne scars and hyperpigmentation) and also reduce the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles (thanks to its collagen-stimulating power)

Not only that, the best Niacinamide serums also help to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and reduce moisture loss which keeps skin soft, healthy and hydrated. Need more convincing? Niacinamide can even help heal acne faster and soothe redness, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Yes, Niacinamide is truly a versatile skincare superhero that can do a lot of great things for your skin and is just as amazing as the more popular anti-aging ingredients like Vitamin C, Glycolic Acid, Retinol, Antioxidants and Hyaluronic Acid.

And the BEST part is that Niacinamide works its magic while being gentle on the skin. It’s well-tolerated by all skin types. Even those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin can use it without any irritation.

Long story short – Niacinamide is like a unicorn that can tackle almost any skincare concern for ALL skin types! If it’s not in your skincare routine yet, just get yourself one of the serums below and you’re good to go!

Best Drugstore Niacinamide Serums

1.The Inkey List Niacinamide ($6.99)

Although not a drugstore brand, The Inkey List products are super affordable…in fact this is the least expensive product in the list! And it’s easily available at Amazon.com and Sephora

With a generous 10% dose of Niacinamide, this serum helps control excess oil while reducing blemishes, redness and hyperpigmentation – all under $7! Plus, it has 1% hyaluronic acid, glycerin and antioxidant-and fatty-acid rich squalane for lightweight hydration.

2. Bliss Glow & Hydrate Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid Day Serum ($20)

Designed to diminish pores, blemishes and dullness for a radiant complexion, this serum keeps your skin hydrated with a healthy glow. Along with a high amount of Niacinamide, the formula includes hyaluronic acid, soothing licorice extract, vitamin E plus tried-and-true hydrators like aloe, shea butter, soybean and oat kernel oil. Cruelty free and vegan.

3. Revolution Skincare 15% Niacinamide Serum ($14)

If you are struggling with large pores, blemishes and acne scars, this ‘super strength’ serum with a concentrated dose of Niacinamide can be your savior! The power-packed formula is super lightweight yet highly effective with 15% of the blemish-busting skin hero Niacinamide.

It also contains zinc PCA, an anti-inflammatory that helps banish breakouts and balance sebum (oil) activity. Cruelty free and vegan, this serum is great for all skin types.

Revolution 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc Blemish and Pore Refining Serum is already one of my favs and this new one is even better!

4. Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Serum ($28)

This fragrance-free serum is formulated with a potent blend of Niacinamide + Retinol complex that work together to provide a bounty of skincare benefits, with virtually no irritation. It reduces fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and dark spots while also minimizing the appearance of pores and adding a dose of hydration.

5. Physicians Formula Skin Booster Vitamin Shot Brightening ($7.19)

This ultra-lightweight serum targets dark spots, uneven skin tone and texture with a high amount of skin-brightening Niacinamide and acetyl glucosamine. It also includes stabilized vitamin C and antioxidant plant extracts to enhance the brightening benefits.

6. Olay Deep Hydration Serum With Vitamin B3 + Hyaluronic Acid ($29)

Olay has recently introduced 3 new anti-aging serums that harness the power of Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) paired with other active ingredients to address different complexion concerns.

The Deep Hydration serum is like a giant glass of water for your skin with key ingredients Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) and Hyaluronic acid that quench dryness from within. Whether you’ve got year-round dry skin or you’re just suffering from the winter dries, this serum gives you long-lasting moisture.

The other 2 serums in the range are Olay Tone Perfection Serum with Vitamin B3 + Vitamin C (for brightening dull and uneven skin tone) and Olay Wrinkle Correction Serum with Vitamin B3 + Collagen Peptides (for aging skin to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles)

All these Olay serums are free from fragrance, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and synthetic dyes.

7. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($17)

This CeraVe serum combines the power of Retinol with Niacinamide and three essential Ceramides to reduces the appearance of acne scars and pores while smoothing skin texture. It’s a gentle, yet effective resurfacing serum with a low-strength encapsulated retinol formula that’s great for anyone new to retinol. Non-comedogenic, paraben-free and fragrance-free

8. Physicians Formula Skin Booster Vitamin Shot Hydrating ($9)

This hydrating serum address dryness and dehydration by providing instant moisture while also improving uneven skin tone/texture and enlarged pores (thanks to a combination of Niacinamide, licorice extract, two forms of hydrating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe and Panthenol)

9. Versed Skincare Just Breathe Clarifying Serum ($20)

Perfect for oily and combination skin, this soothing fragrance-free serum is designed to clear out impurities and control excess oil that clogs pores. The dynamic trio of Niacinamide, willow bark extract and zinc blend work together to calm inflammation (the root of most skin problems), decongest pores and soothe redness, keeping skin’s little freak-outs at bay. Cruelty-free and vegan.

10. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Multivitamin Booster ($17.30)

With Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid as the star ingredients, this serum helps revitalize and brighten dull, tired skin while intensely hydrating. It has a lightweight gel-like texture that’s suitable for all skin types.

Best Drugstore Moisturizers With Niacinamide

Apart from these serums, below are a few more drugstore products loaded with the goodness of Niacinamide. In case you’re wondering, adding multiple Niacinamide-containing products in your routine won’t cause any irritation. So, if you want to use any of these in addition to one of the serums above, you can do so without any problem!