Is niacinamide better than vitamin C for brightening skin?

Written by: Mantasha Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra 22 September 2025

Understand Niacinamide

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How Vitamin C Works

[{"selector":"#anim-d5288d72-05c6-467f-a854-98d3ea076a2f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a89fe81-57b1-4d09-928f-34d8ff09b367","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.46329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dcee3ff5-8bd8-453e-b169-dfe9003c067b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-22f3f270-314a-4476-9862-971888cf84ec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 668.16768%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It protects skin from sun damage and supports collagen production. It can lighten dark spots and brighten overall skin tone. Photo Credit: Freepik

Compare Effects

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Safety and Sensitivity

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How to Use Them

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Final Tip

[{"selector":"#anim-578e39e0-53f6-49c5-9a02-3ffbc17acd03","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62da7406-ca59-4b5b-a9fc-1c182a63e7cf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.46329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5cb5f376-5a6c-4df3-9a37-be1a2012c021","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-92fc2eda-f3e1-4833-8e56-c3438c3f65e6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 716.81627%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Results take time. Brightening can take weeks to months. Monitor your skin, adjust concentrations if needed, and seek a dermatologist for persistent issues. Photo Credit: Freepik