Niacinamide is one of the most reliably useful ingredients in skincare, and particularly so for oily and acne-prone skin. It is well-documented for reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, regulating sebum production, and fading post-acne marks over time. These six are the best fragrance-free niacinamide serums available in Singapore, from budget actives to clinical-grade formulas.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Niacinamide % | Best For | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | 10% | Oily skin, pores, oil control | Watery serum |
| Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster | 10% | Combination skin, pigmentation | Lightweight serum |
| Isntree Hyper Niacinamide 20 Serum | 20% | Experienced users, stubborn pigmentation | Gel serum |
| Minimalist Niacinamide 10% + GFC 2% | 10% | Late 20s and 30s, oil and ageing | Lightweight serum |
| Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10% Serum | 10% | Reactive skin, simple formula | Watery serum |
| Anua Niacinamide 10% Serum | 10% | Post-acne marks, uneven tone | Gel serum |
1. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The entry point for most people’s niacinamide journey, and still one of the best options at any price. The 10% niacinamide concentration addresses pore appearance and sebum regulation, while the 1% zinc PCA adds additional oil control and supports skin healing. It is thin, water-based, and layers cleanly under moisturiser and SPF without pilling. The only trade-off is that the formula can cause temporary purging in some users in the first two to four weeks, most likely due to the zinc.
Key ingredients
Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA 1%
Best for
Oily skin, enlarged pores, excess sebum
Texture
Watery serum
2. Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
Paula’s Choice pairs niacinamide with acetyl glucosamine, a form of sugar that works alongside niacinamide to reduce the appearance of pigmentation more effectively than niacinamide alone. The result is a formula that does more than pore and oil work. It is well-suited to combination skin types that want sebum-regulating benefits without the starker feel of thinner water serums, and the addition of acetyl glucosamine makes it more interesting for anyone whose main concern is uneven skin tone rather than shine. Fragrance-free and silicone-free.
Key ingredients
Niacinamide 10%, Acetyl Glucosamine
Best for
Combination skin, pigmentation and uneven tone
Texture
Lightweight serum
3. Isntree Hyper Niacinamide 20 Serum
Twenty percent is a high concentration, and Isntree’s formula is designed for people who have already used niacinamide at 10% and want to step up. At this level, the pore-minimising and tone-evening effects are more pronounced, but so is the potential for irritation if your skin is sensitive. I would not recommend this as a first niacinamide purchase. For experienced users dealing with persistent hyperpigmentation or oily skin that has not responded well to lower concentrations, it is one of the more interesting options available in Singapore.
Key ingredients
Niacinamide 20%, Hyaluronic Acid
Best for
Experienced users, stubborn pigmentation and oiliness
Texture
Gel serum
4. Minimalist Niacinamide 10% + GFC 2%
Minimalist adds growth factor complex to their niacinamide formula, which brings an anti-ageing angle alongside the standard oil and pore work. This makes it a better fit for anyone in their late twenties or thirties who wants niacinamide’s sebum benefits without sacrificing skin-firming work. The formula is lightweight and absorbs quickly, which matters in Singapore’s climate. Fragrance-free and straightforward, with no unnecessary additions.
Key ingredients
Niacinamide 10%, Growth Factor Complex 2%
Best for
Late 20s and 30s, oily skin with early ageing concerns
Texture
Lightweight serum
5. Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10% Serum
A reliable, no-frills option from a Korean brand that keeps its formulas lean and its prices low. The Cos De BAHA formula delivers 10% niacinamide in a simple base without unnecessary additives, which makes it a good choice for anyone with reactive skin who wants the active without the extras. I would put this alongside The Ordinary as the two strongest value options on this list, and the simpler ingredient profile makes it slightly less likely to cause an initial purge.
Key ingredients
Niacinamide 10%
Best for
Reactive skin, budget-conscious buyers
Texture
Watery serum
6. Anua Niacinamide 10% Serum
Anua pairs niacinamide with 10% tranexamic acid, which targets hyperpigmentation through a different mechanism and makes this the most targeted formula on the list for post-acne marks and uneven skin tone. If the primary concern is dark spots rather than pore size or oil control, this is the one I would point you towards. The gel-serum texture is comfortable in Singapore’s humidity and absorbs without residue.
Key ingredients
Niacinamide 10%, Tranexamic Acid 10%
Best for
Post-acne marks, hyperpigmentation, uneven tone
Texture
Gel serum
How to Choose a Niacinamide Serum
Concentration is the obvious starting point, but it is not the only thing that matters. At 10%, niacinamide is effective for sebum regulation and pore appearance for most skin types. Niacinamide does a lot. If it also did the laundry, I would never use anything else. Twenty percent delivers more visible results on pigmentation, but is worth working up to rather than starting with, particularly if your skin is on the sensitive side. The supporting ingredients matter as much as the concentration in some cases: zinc adds oil control, tranexamic acid targets pigmentation more aggressively, and growth factors address early signs of ageing alongside the standard niacinamide work. Decide what the primary concern is before buying, and choose the formula built for that job.
In Singapore’s climate, the texture of a serum matters as much as the formula. A heavy or silicone-rich serum will feel uncomfortable in the heat and is more likely to pill under SPF. All six serums on this list are lightweight and designed to layer cleanly, but the thinner water-based formulas from The Ordinary, Cos De BAHA, and Minimalist are the easiest to work into a routine year-round. Apply niacinamide after cleansing and before moisturiser, morning or evening. It does not increase photosensitivity, so morning use is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does niacinamide actually do for oily skin?
Niacinamide regulates sebum production at the skin level, which over consistent use reduces excess shine and minimises the appearance of enlarged pores. It also fades post-acne hyperpigmentation and strengthens the skin barrier, which helps skin become less reactive over time. Results take four to eight weeks of consistent daily use to become visible.
Can I use niacinamide with retinol?
Yes, and it is one of the better combinations available. Niacinamide supports the skin barrier while retinol increases cell turnover, so they complement rather than compete. Apply retinol at night and niacinamide in the morning as separate steps, or layer niacinamide over retinol at night if your skin tolerates it well.
Can I use niacinamide with vitamin C?
Yes. The old concern about niacinamide and vitamin C forming niacin together has not been borne out at normal skincare usage temperatures and concentrations. I use both. Apply vitamin C first in the morning, let it absorb, then layer niacinamide over the top if you want both in one routine.
Can I use vitamin C, niacinamide, and retinol all in the same routine?
Yes, but not all at once. The practical way to use all three is to split them across morning and evening. Vitamin C in the morning — it works with UV exposure and benefits from daytime application. Niacinamide can go either morning or evening; many people use it in both. Retinol at night only, as it degrades in UV light and increases cell turnover in a way that makes sun exposure more problematic. A standard split would be: morning — vitamin C, niacinamide, SPF; evening — niacinamide, retinol, moisturiser. If your skin is sensitive, introduce retinol slowly before layering all three together.
Will niacinamide cause purging?
Some people experience a short purge period of two to four weeks when starting niacinamide, particularly at 10% or above. This is more common with The Ordinary formula due to its zinc content. If you have very sensitive skin, starting with a simpler formula like Cos De BAHA may reduce the likelihood.
What percentage of niacinamide should I use?
10% is the sweet spot for most people and the concentration with the most clinical backing for sebum regulation and pore appearance. Twenty percent is worth considering if you are specifically targeting stubborn pigmentation and have already tolerated 10% well. There is no meaningful benefit to going above 20%.
Where can I buy niacinamide serums in Singapore?
All products on this list are available on Shopee Singapore. The Ordinary and Paula’s Choice are available from their official Shopee stores. Isntree is stocked at the official Isntree Singapore store. Minimalist, Cos De BAHA, and Anua are available from authorised sellers on Shopee and at selected Guardian and Watsons outlets.
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One response to “Best Niacinamide Serums for Oily Skin (Singapore 2026)”
[…] compromised, this will feel too stripping. What sets it apart from cheaper BHA cleansers is the niacinamide, which offsets some of the post-cleanse tightness and helps with residual redness over […]