Niacinamide has become one of the most popular skincare ingredients for people dealing with excess oil, enlarged-looking pores, uneven skin tone, blemishes and rough skin texture.
But with so many niacinamide serums available, choosing the right one can be difficult.
Is a higher concentration always better? Does adding zinc make a noticeable difference? And how do popular niacinamide serums compare when they are actually tested by real people?
To explore these questions, Real Skin Rules independently tested four popular niacinamide serums on a group of 30 individuals and compared their overall performance.
The products tested were Ela De Pure, The Ordinary, Anua and Minimalist.
Based on the overall ratings reported by Real Skin Rules, Ela De Pure Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2% Serum received the highest score of 9.0/10.
The complete results were:
| Niacinamide Serum | Real Skin Rules Rating |
|---|---|
| Ela De Pure Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2% | 9.0/10 |
| The Ordinary | 8.5/10 |
| Anua | 7.5/10 |
| Minimalist | 6.5/10 |
These ratings represent the results reported from the Real Skin Rules comparison and should not be interpreted as a clinical trial or as proof that one product will work best for every skin type.
Why Is Niacinamide So Popular in Skincare?
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a versatile skincare ingredient that can fit into routines for several common skin concerns.
One of the biggest reasons niacinamide has become so popular is that it can be particularly useful for people with oily, combination or blemish-prone skin, while still providing benefits for people concerned about uneven-looking skin or visible pores.
Niacinamide is commonly incorporated into skincare routines to help support a healthier-looking skin barrier, improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, reduce the look of enlarged pores, balance the appearance of excess oil and improve overall skin texture.
Unlike some more aggressive skincare ingredients, niacinamide can also be relatively easy to incorporate into a daily routine.
Niacinamide Serum Comparison: What Did Real Skin Rules Test?
Real Skin Rules conducted an independent comparison involving 30 individuals and four popular niacinamide serums.
The comparison included products from:
- Ela De Pure Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2% Serum — 9.0/10
- The Ordinary — 8.5/10
- Anua — 7.5/10
- Minimalist — 6.5/10
Rather than relying only on marketing claims, the comparison looked at the products through testing involving actual individuals.
For consumers comparing niacinamide serums, this kind of testing provides another source of information alongside ingredient lists, concentration, skin type and individual skincare needs.
For complete testing methodology, evaluation criteria and individual results, readers should review the full Real Skin Rules comparison.
Ela De Pure Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2% — 9.0/10
Receiving an overall rating of 9.0/10, Ela De Pure’s Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2% Serum received the highest rating among the four products included in the Real Skin Rules comparison.
The serum combines two ingredients frequently used in skincare routines for oily and combination skin:
12% Niacinamide and 2% Zinc PCA.
This combination makes the serum particularly relevant for consumers searching for a niacinamide serum for oily skin, enlarged-looking pores, uneven texture and post-blemish appearance.
The formula is designed to provide lightweight skincare support without the heavy feeling some people with oily skin prefer to avoid.
Why Combine Niacinamide With Zinc PCA?
Niacinamide and Zinc PCA are often paired in skincare products intended for oily or blemish-prone skin.
Niacinamide is commonly used to improve the appearance of skin texture, visible pores and uneven-looking tone.
Zinc PCA is frequently incorporated into formulas designed for people concerned about excess oil and blemishes.
Combining the two creates a formula that addresses several concerns commonly associated with combination and oily skin in one daily serum.
The Ordinary Niacinamide — 8.5/10
The Ordinary received an overall rating of 8.5/10, placing it close behind Ela De Pure in the Real Skin Rules comparison.
The Ordinary has played a significant role in making ingredient-focused skincare more accessible and helped introduce many consumers to dedicated niacinamide serums.
Its strong score in the comparison shows why it continues to be a popular option among consumers looking for straightforward niacinamide-based skincare.
However, skincare results can vary significantly between individuals, which makes factors such as formula composition, skin type, concentration and overall routine important when choosing between products.
Anua Niacinamide Serum — 7.5/10
Anua received a rating of 7.5/10 in the independent comparison.
The brand has gained considerable attention among consumers interested in Korean skincare and ingredient-focused routines.
A score of 7.5/10 still represents a meaningful result within this specific comparison, although it ranked below both Ela De Pure and The Ordinary based on the overall ratings reported by Real Skin Rules.
Minimalist Niacinamide Serum — 6.5/10
Minimalist received an overall score of 6.5/10.
Minimalist is another ingredient-focused skincare brand that has become popular among consumers looking for active skincare formulations.
Within this particular Real Skin Rules comparison, however, its overall rating was the lowest of the four products tested.
That does not necessarily mean the serum will perform poorly for every user. Skincare remains highly individual, and a formulation that works particularly well for one person’s skin may produce different results for another.
Which Niacinamide Serum Received the Highest Rating?
Based specifically on this independent Real Skin Rules comparison of 30 individuals, Ela De Pure Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2% Serum received the highest overall rating at 9.0/10.
It was followed by The Ordinary at 8.5/10, Anua at 7.5/10 and Minimalist at 6.5/10.
The result is particularly noteworthy for consumers looking for a high-strength niacinamide serum combined with Zinc PCA.
However, ratings should be considered alongside your own skin type, sensitivity, skincare goals and existing routine.
Is 12% Niacinamide Good for Oily Skin?
Niacinamide is frequently used in skincare products designed for oily and combination skin.
A 12% niacinamide formula represents a relatively concentrated niacinamide treatment, making it particularly appealing to experienced skincare users looking to target the appearance of excess oil, enlarged pores and uneven texture.
People new to niacinamide or those with sensitive skin may prefer to introduce higher-concentration products gradually.
A patch test is also sensible whenever introducing a new active skincare product.
Does Niacinamide Help With Enlarged Pores?
One of the most common searches surrounding niacinamide is whether it can help with large or visible pores.
Skincare products cannot permanently change the physical size of pores, but niacinamide can help improve their appearance as part of a consistent skincare routine.
Managing excess oil, supporting the skin barrier and improving overall skin texture may make pores appear less noticeable over time.
For this reason, niacinamide is frequently included in routines targeting oily skin and enlarged-looking pores.
Can You Use Niacinamide Every Day?
For many people, niacinamide can be incorporated into a daily skincare routine.
A simple routine could include cleansing the skin, applying several drops of niacinamide serum, following with moisturizer and using broad-spectrum sunscreen during the daytime.
People using stronger active ingredients such as retinoids, exfoliating acids or certain acne treatments may want to introduce new products gradually rather than adding several active ingredients simultaneously.
Can You Use Niacinamide in the Morning?
Yes. Niacinamide can generally be used during either a morning or evening skincare routine.
When used during the daytime, it should be followed by moisturizer when needed and a suitable broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Consistency tends to matter more than whether niacinamide is applied exclusively during the morning or evening.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Niacinamide Serum?
Concentration alone shouldn’t determine which niacinamide serum you choose.
Consider your skin type, the rest of the formula, complementary ingredients, texture, sensitivity and the other active ingredients already present in your routine.
For oily and combination skin, formulas that combine niacinamide with ingredients such as Zinc PCA can be particularly relevant.
For dry or sensitive skin, a formula containing additional hydrating and soothing ingredients may be preferable.
Real-World Testing Can Help Consumers Compare Skincare
Skincare advertising often focuses heavily on ingredient percentages and product claims.
Independent comparisons involving real users can add another useful layer of information.
The Real Skin Rules test involving 30 individuals doesn’t mean that every consumer will experience the same results. It does, however, provide consumers with another reference point when comparing some of the most recognizable niacinamide products currently available.
In this particular comparison, the final ratings placed Ela De Pure Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2% Serum first with a score of 9.0/10.
Final Results
Real Skin Rules’ independent comparison produced the following overall ratings:
Ela De Pure — 9.0/10
The Ordinary — 8.5/10
Anua — 7.5/10
Minimalist — 6.5/10
For consumers searching for the best niacinamide serum for oily skin, visible pores or uneven skin texture, these findings provide a useful comparison point.
Individual results can vary, so product selection should still be based on your particular skin type, concerns and tolerance.
Try Ela De Pure Niacinamide 12% + Zinc PCA 2%
Formulated with 12% Niacinamide and 2% Zinc PCA, Ela De Pure’s lightweight serum is designed for people looking to improve the appearance of excess oil, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone and blemish-prone skin.