Lifestyle

If your anti-aging routine doesn’t include niacinamide, it should, say derms and fans of this $6 'holy grail' serum

Real Simple · Jul 10, 2026 13:30 · 3 min read

“Acne = gone! Redness = gone! Wrinkles = gone!” one fan gushes.

About the Experts

Jeannette Graf, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Justine Park, M.D., board-certified dermatologist with Skin & Beauty Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
Valerie Aparovich, biochemist, certified aesthetician, and Science Team Lead at OnSkin
Sheina Bawa, M.D., general and cosmetic surgeon and founder of MetamorphMD

Think of all the gripes you have with your skin: Fine lines. Wrinkles. Dark spots. Gaping pores. Oiliness.

How awesome would it be if you could treat all those with one affordable, skin-friendly formula? According to dermatologists, one ingredient comes surprisingly close: niacinamide.

You can work this multitasking superstar into your routine for only $6, thanks to a best-selling serum by the affordable skin care brand The Ordinary. And you’ll definitely want to, according to numerous clinicians we spoke with who note the wide-ranging benefits of this hardworking B vitamin.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum

Nordstrom The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — Credit: Nordstrom

$6 at Amazon

Niacinamide is a well-documented multitasker in anti-aging skin care, dermatologist Jeannette Graf, M.D., tells REAL SIMPLE. “Niacinamide stimulates the production of ceramides, which are essential lipids that keep the skin barrier strong. This can help improve elasticity, moisture, and smooth fine lines.”

Dermatologist Justine Park, M.D., points to niacinamide’s role as a skin conditioner that “regulates oil production, improves the skin barrier, and can help balance out the often-drying effects of other anti-aging ingredients.”

It also exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and has brightening properties, according to biochemist and aesthetician Valerie Aparovich, helping to “reduce dullness and hyperpigmentation and promote a more evenly toned, glowing complexion.”

Niacinamide is also what’s called an NAD+ precursor, according to cosmetic surgeon Sheina Bawa, M.D. This precursor is required for your body to produce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which is “vital for cellular energy, DNA repair, our skin barrier integrity, and resilience,” Bawa says. “These processes cannot be done without the required precursors like niacinamide.”

Using this serum, the brand says you can expect less oil in three days, fewer wrinkles in seven days, and more refined pores in four weeks. Shoppers confirm this formula is “simple, effective, affordable, and delivers exactly what it promises, which is honestly everything I look for in a skin care product.”

It’s surprisingly easy to work into existing routines, according to reviews. Skin drinks up this water-based formula, which sits well under moisturizers and makeup. There’s no noticeable scent, and just two or three drops is enough for your whole face, making this $6 serum an even smarter pick for daily use.

With regular use, real-life fans report brighter skin, less prominent pores, better hydration, and less excess oil. One 69-year-old shopper notes their skin has a “smoother texture, and fine lines are less visible.” Numerous reviewers call it a “holy grail” and a “miracle in a bottle,” including one who gushes, “Acne = gone! Redness = gone! Wrinkles = gone!”

No wonder more than 100,000 units have sold in the last month alone, making it Amazon’s No. 2 best-selling serum and just ahead of The Ordinary’s $10 hyaluronic acid serum, which many shoppers note makes a perfect companion to niacinamide.

With ingredients backed by dermatologists and results backed by tens of thousands of five-star ratings, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum is an incredible deal at any price, but especially $6. Snag a bottle for yourself, then read on for other skin care superstars loved by readers and dermatologists alike.