Korean skincare products are being increasingly popular all over the world and it’s not difficult to understand why. Koreans have such a great, healthy skin with that special glowing complexion. But they work pretty hard for it – having their famous Korean skincare.
Serum represents a highly important step in the Korean skincare routine and it is a real cure for dull skin.
You may choose among different types of serums – vitamin C serum, niacinamide serum, hyaluronic acid serum, or even mix of these (and other) ingredients (I know, “how do you choose just one?!”).
In this article I’m going to focus on niacinamide serums. They have so many benefits, especially for those of you that fight hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
But that’s not all. Niacinamide can improve your skin tone and skin texture, plus it has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties (if you’re wondering how long does it take for niacinamide to start giving effects read this article).
I know it’s quite hard to choose the right facial serum – you surely don’t want to end up with skin irritation. No one wants that risk, right?
For this reason, I prepared a list of the safest – and best Korean niacinamide serums.
7 Best Korean Niacinamide Serums – Ranking
To make the decision easier for you, I narrowed down the choice to seven best niacinamide serums in Korean skincare.
I present you serums with 2%-20% niacinamide – for different skin types and skin concerns. Let’s begin!
1. Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
My verdict: Best niacinamide serum for dark spots and blemishes
This is definitely one of the best Korean niacinamide serums, which actually has three functions.
The first one is – it brightens your skin tone, the second – it helps you fade hyperpigmentation, and the third – it controls sebum production, helping you accomplish blemish and pimple-free skin.
All thanks to its active ingredients, which, besides niacinamide, include 4% tranexamic acid, 2% alpha arbutin and vitamin C derivative.
Arbutin works by inhibiting the expression of the precursor of melanin pigment, inhibiting melanin production.
Therefore, the end result is: reduced hyperpigmentation and dark spots (and lower risk of new ones!).
Why You Will Love It?
- Immediate (great) results
Lots of my friends who have been using niacinamide serum by Anua claim they noticed immediate results, giving them glowing complexion.
Furthermore, they noticed that this niacinamide serum reduced the visibility of their pores almost immediately.
- Bye bye acne marks
It is very effective for fading all kinds of skin discoloration, whether you’re struggling with sun spots, post-acne marks or PIH. All brightening ingredients in this serum help you to achieve more even skin tone and healthy glow.
- Well-tolerable
To make this serum more suitable for different skin types, Anua packed it with some soothing and hydrating ingredients like panthenol, jojoba oil, Centella, Ceramide NP and a few types of hyaluronic acid.
Keep In Mind
Sometimes 10% of niacinamide may be “too much” for the skin (for example my skin only likes 2-5%).
In that case, I recommend you to check out Skin1004 Tone Brightening Ampoule. It also has niacinamide but “only” 4% (enough for brightening effects) and 2% TXA. Some people even say it is more effective for reducing dark spots than Anua!
2. Beauty Of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide
My verdict: Amazing Korean niacinamide serum for dry skin
As it name implies – this glow serum contains propolis extract, too, in addition to lower dose of niacinamide.
So, those of you with sensitive skin, who doesn’t take highly concentrated serum with too much niacinamide so well – give it a try with this serum.
Thanks to the propolis extract, this serum provides a great hydration to your skin, reducing signs of skin inflammation and irritating.
Additionally, it contains BHA, a fat-soluble exfoliant, that removes excessive sebum and dead skin cells from your skin.
Why You Will Love It?
- Glow serum – is really glow serum
According to women who use this serum, your skin will – actually be glowing amazingly after using it.
This glow serum leaves the skin very smooth, bright, while giving you a subtle glass skin effect you will love.
- Consistency matters
Besides being beneficial for your skin, it has a great consistency which makes applying this vitamin B3 serum much easier.
A little goes – smoothly – a long way, and it doesn’t leave any sticky or greasy residue. Women love its consistency and texture.
Keep In Mind
Some women reported issues with the packaging, and that some of the product leaked out while being transported to them. But – it happens.
3. Mary&May Niacinamide + Chaenomeles Sinensis Serum
My verdict: Best niacinamide serum for sensitive skin & beginners
So what is so special about this serum? It is the most gentle one in my ranking and has the SIMPLEST ingredients list I’ve ever seen when it comes to niacinamide serums.
It has literally only 8 ingredients and it’s free from harsh chemicals or fragrances, so there is less risk of triggered reaction!
If you’re just starting your adventure with niacinamide or your skin easily gets triggered by higher concentration of this ingredient, this serum is definitely a good option.
Why You Will Love It?
- Super gentle, yet effective
It has “only” 2% niacinamide, which makes it truly beginner-friendly, and also perfect for skin that doesn’t like higher % of niacinamide.
Are you worried it won’t be effective? No need to! 2% is still enough to fight light hyperpigmentation, gently brighten your skin tone, reduce skin dullness and control sebum production.
BTW: No burning! Yaaay!
- More radiant skin
Mary&May serum is formulated with Chaenomeles Sinensis extract which is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. It helps to get smoother, more radiant, elastic and brighter skin.
Keep In Mind
It may not be enough to brighten very intense dark spots. But I would recommend to start with this serum to allow your skin to get used to this active, You can work your way up to 5% and 10% serums.
4. Cos De Baha Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% Serum
My verdict: Best Korean niacinamide serum for acne skin
If you have enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, or acne prone skin, this might be a great fit for your face.
This Korean niacinamide serum with zinc helps brighten skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines, too. Sounds wonderful, am I right?
Also, if you have a compromised skin barrier – and your skin looks feels itchy, flakey, or is overly thin, this serum will have healing properties and help you deal with such issues.
At the same time it will provide hydration and treating hyperpigmentation. Plus, it will strengthen your skin barrier.
It is natural, free from all harsh chemicals, including paraben, gluten, formaldehyde, artificial colors, fragrances, sulfate, and alcohol.
Why You Will Love It?
WaterAloe vera based
Instead of being based on water like most other products, it is rather based on aloe vera extract.
This is the first ingredient of the serum – and the reason it feels thicker than other serums. Aloe vera has so many benefits for your skin.
It keeps your skin hydrated, helps soothe skin injuries and sunburns and fade dark spots, helps with acne (great for acne-prone skin), and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What else would you need?
- Drop, two, happy you
A little of it goes a long way. According to women who use this serum, you will only need one or two drops to cover your entire face!
And you will soon see your enlarged pores getting smaller, improving your overall appearance.
Keep In Mind
Apparently, this serum, due to its consistency and texture appears a bit sticky, but the stickiness doesn’t linger on your skin, so it’s fine!
PRO TIP: Because of these two main ingredients: niacinamide and zinc, I’ve picked this serum as one of the best Korean serums for acne prone skin. It helps to lighten acne scars, get rid of zits and prevent new breakouts.
If you’re dealing with pimples, make sure to check out my full ranking of the best Korean acne serums!
5. Tirtir 20% Niacinamide Serum
My verdict: Most powerful Korean niacinamide serum for mature skin
This Korean serum is rather not for beginners, but for skin that is already used to niacinamide and various actives.
Let’s dive into science behind this serum.
Beside 20% niacinamide, there is also 2% alpha arbutin, glutathione, plus small amount of retinol to support your fight with hyperpigmentation and aging signs.
Another ingredient is zinc which has anti-inflammatory benefits and helps in repairing skin damage.
This strong serum really helps with sebum production, pigmentation and uneven complexion.
Why You Will Love It?
- No more dull skin, no more dark spots
This serum contains 20% niacinamide to fade blemishes and hyperpigmentation while minimizing enlarged pores for smooth and even-toned skin. Alpha-arbutin and glutathione offers additional brightening and anti-aging properties.
- Acne safe
It helps you get rid of the existing acne and helps you reduce the appearance of acne scars. Thanks to its active ingredients, it suits best acne-prone skin.
- Slows down aging
All actives in this serum support well-aging, by reducing sun spots, hyperpigmentation, scars and wrinkles.
Keep In Mind
It has quite long ingredients list, lots of actives and even retinol, which means it’s not suitable for sensitive skin or beginners.
If you’d like to use 20% niacinamide serum, but without retinol in it, I recommend you Skin&Lab Niacinamide Recovery Serum. It has very good simple inci, more suitable for sensitive skin. The best ingredients in it are: 20% niacinamide, zinc, ectoin, aloe and allantoin.
6. AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
My verdict: Most viral niacinamide serum for moderate hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores
If you’ve been looking into Korean brightening niacinamide serums I’m sure you’ve come across AXIS-Y! It is super popular!
But is it actually worth the hype? I would say it’s a good option if your skin doesn’t tolerate high % of niacinamide, and if your pigmentation is not super intense.
Why You Will Love It?
- Keeps sebum production at bay
5% niacinamide in this serum is perfect amount to control oil production and make sure your pores are less visible.
- Moisturizes skin
It feels quite moisturizing on skin, thanks to glycerin, squalane and rice bran extract. These ingredients have beneficial effects on skin barrier, too.
What’s more, in has a texture of a lightweight cream (in contrast to all those gel or liquidy serums). I would say it may even be a substitute for moisturizer for oily skin!
Keep In Mind
It gives effects, but it’s quite slow.
Consistency is really important (with EVERY serum). Be patient and use it for at least 10 weeks to see improvement in dark spots.
PRO TIP: There’s one more viral K-beauty niacinamide serum: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, which comes in a beautiful pink bottle. Lots of girls love it and say it’s effective BUT unfortunately it contains fragrance. Keep that in mind if your skin gets easily triggered.
7. TIAM Vita B3 Source (10% Niacinamide Serum)
My verdict: Affordable brightening niacinamide serum
This niacinamide serum with brightening properties represents a great option for all of you with uneven skin tone and dark spots.
It suits all skin types, so you may rest assured it will do no harm to your skin – even sensitive skin.
What differentiates this glow serum from other ones – it contains 2% arbutin which has skin-brightening abilities and may give you a more even, radiant complexion.
Together with niacinamide (or vitamin B3 – as is in its name), it does miracles to your skin – with zero harsh chemicals.
Allantoin has a protective role, to keep you from irritated skin.
Why You Will Love It?
- Scentless
For those of you who are not fans of scents – go for it. This serum is unscented, feeling so natural on your face.
This is especially important to those of you with sensitive skin (+ it passed irritation tests – causing no skin irritation!).
- Affordable
For such a great serum and that much of the serum (the packaging contains 40ml of it), it is a great deal. Definitely worth trying.
Keep In Mind
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it would be best to avoid any products with arbutin, including this serum. There will be enough time for it.
Final Decision: What Niacinamide Serum Is Best In Korea?
Now you’ve read about best Korean niacinamide serums, you are probably wondering – which one is the best?
Before I answer, please note, that it greatly depends on your skin and other factors. Some of them are more affordable than others, for example. But, they all have their own skincare benefits.
For best niacinamide serum from the list, I would choose Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum. It’s packed with really effective brightening ingredients and works magic for large pores.
Another favorite of mine is Mary&May serum – because it’s gentle, beginner-friendly and suitable for sensitive skin.
K-Beauty Niacinamide Serum – FAQ
Finding the right niacinamide product (including serums) can be quite challenging.
There are probably so many questions about which Korean serum is best for you. And I will answer some of the most frequently asked ones.
What Is Niacinamide Serum & What Are Its Benefits?
Niacinamide (or vitamin B3) has so many skincare benefits. Besides helping you to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, it brightens and evens out your skin tone, improving overall complexion.
If you have dull skin with dark circles or have that boring dark spots, it is definitely a must. For others, try it yourself and when you note the difference – you will decide yourself.
Niacinamide itself can be used to prevent skin aging from the age of 30.
However, anyone older than 18 can use it, regardless of their skin type. I would say that the best age to start using niacinamide is around 25, when collagen production starts to slow down.
What % Of Niacinamide Is Most Effective?
A high concentration of niacinamide is definitely more effective. However, it is recommended to start with lower concentrations and gradually increase it as your skin adjusts.
Another important thing to do before you start trying niacinamide serums – do the patch test before using it, as with any other (Korean) skincare products for the first time.
Do Koreans Use Niacinamide?
Yes, Koreans use niacinamide serums in their skincare routine. Niacinamide works great and they definitely know how to use its benefits.
Which Korean Brand Is Best For Niacinamide Serum?
The single choice depends on you. Please, just make sure the brand is reliable, and uses natural ingredients, skipping all those nasty chemicals.
From my personal experience, Anua, BoJ and AXIS-Y are some of the best Korean brands for niacinamide serum.
How Often Should I Use Niacinamide Serum?
Generally, you can use Korean niacinamide serums every day, twice a day – in your morning and evening skincare routines.
They are (in most cases) gentle enough, and well-tolerated in general.
However, if you’re just starting, start with a less frequent schedule, like every two days, and gradually increase the frequency of use to avoid irritation.
How To Use Niacinamide Serum In The Right Way?
Korean niacinamide serums are gentle and non-harsh, so they may be used twice daily as I said.
You should apply it as a part of the Korean skincare routine, after cleansing and toning your skin, but before moisturizing it. Koreans have their skincare steps for a reason.
Read our article about the 5-step Korean beauty routine – it’s way shorter than the full 10-step routine and includes all the most important steps (like cleanser, serum and moisturizer).
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
All pictures in this article with YouAreBeautie logo belong to YouAreBeautie.com and were taken by the owner of this website. All these images are copyright-protected.
Other pictures:
- Pictures of Anua Serum belong to Anua Brand. Source: https://anua.us/
- Pictures of Mary&May Serum belong to Mary&May Brand. Source: https://eng.marynmay.com/
- Pictures of TIAM Vita B3 Serum belong to TIAM Brand. Source: https://tiamglobal.com/
- Pictures of Cos De Baha Niacinamide + Zinc Serum belong to Cos De Baha Brand. Source: https://www.cosdebaha.com/
- Pictures of Beauty Of Joseom Glow Serum belong to Beauty Of Joseon Brand. Source: https://beautyofjoseon.com/
