This guide breaks down the difference between Synergie Skin's three vitamin B3 serums: Vitamin B, XCell-B, and Priority B, so you can find your perfect match.
If you’re looking to boost skin resilience, reduce redness, balance oil, stimulate collagen, and support hydration, there’s one ingredient dermatologists and formulators alike swear by: niacinamide, otherwise known as vitamin B3. With its versatile array of skin benefits, vitamin B3 has become an essential staple in every skincare routine – regardless of the cosmeceutical brand. But with so many formulations available at varying degrees of potency, how do you choose the right one?
This guide breaks down the difference between Synergie Skin's three vitamin B3 serums: Vitamin B, XCell-B, and Priority B, so you can find your perfect match.
What does niacinamide do?
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a multi-tasking skincare ingredient with wide-ranging benefits. Whether you're managing breakouts or maintaining skin barrier function, it's a must-have in every skin routine.
Primary niacinamide benefits include:
- Strengthening the skin barrier
- Improving hydration
- Reducing redness and inflammation
- Regulating oil flow
- Fading uneven skin tone and sun damage
- Smoothing texture and softening fine lines
In short, it’s one of the most effective and well-tolerated ingredients in modern skincare.
Vitamin B3 for skin: why formulation matters
While niacinamide is a powerful active, the right concentration and supporting ingredients make all the difference.
Synergie Skin offers three distinct vitamin B serum options, all formulated under the brand’s Clean Science philosophy, balancing evidence-based actives with skin-friendly delivery systems.
1. The original all-rounder: Vitamin B serum
Vitamin B serum is the brand’s cult favourite – and for good reason. With 13% niacinamide and added panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), it’s suitable for all skin types and ideal for daily use. It helps to strengthen barrier function, improve hydration, brighten uneven tone, and minimise redness.
Best for: All skin types, especially those new to niacinamide or looking for a well-rounded daily serum.
Vitamin B benefits for skin:
- Reinforces the skin barrier
- Promotes skin luminosity
- Calms redness and irritation
- Improves skin tone and texture
2. The everyday multitasker: XCell B
XCell B is the next step up in the niacinamide serum suite. It features a concentrated 21% niacinamide formula, making it a highly effective serum for daily use. With added sodium PCA, Canadian willowherb, and SOD, it delivers hydration, calms irritation, and reinforces the skin’s natural defences. This advanced serum targets oil regulation, congestion, and uneven skin tone while supporting overall skin resilience.
Niacinamide is a very small molecule and easily penetrates the outer skin barrier. As the dosage increases, so does the bioavailability to the skin cells in the deeper layers. Although most people tolerate this dosage level well, it is always wise to commence with the 13% dosage and step up when the skin is ready for the higher 21% level.
Best for: All skin types seeking a higher-strength niacinamide serum for daily hydration, balance, and a youthful, glowing complexion.
Niacinamide benefits in XCell B:
- Supports barrier integrity and moisture retention
- Reduces visible redness and irritation
- Balances oil flow and refines pores
- Helps diminish the appearance of pigmentation and promotes even skin tone
- Promotes collagen synthesis
3. For clinical-grade support: Priority B
Priority B delivers the most powerful 22% niacinamide concentration, making it the highest strength niacinamide serum in the Synergie Skin range. This professional-grade formulation is designed to address uneven skin tone, congestion, and barrier integrity. Enhanced with the ‘super antioxidant’ superoxide dismutase (SOD) and anti-inflammatory Canadian willowherb, it provides potent antioxidant protection while soothing redness.
Best for: Clients seeking high dose niacinamide intensive support for barrier recovery, uneven skin tone, congestion, and signs of ageing. Especially recommended as part of an in-clinic treatment plan.
Note: Priority B is a Practitioner-only product. It is recommended that lower dose 13% niacinamide in Synergie Vitamin B serum is used for at least 3 months before stepping up to this higher strength formula.
Niacinamide benefits in Priority B:
- Strengthens the skin barrier and boosts hydration
- Regulates oil flow and reduces congestion
- Addresses pigmentation by reducing melanin transfer
- Protects against oxidative stress and inflammation
- Stimulates collagen production for firmness and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
- Aids in barrier regeneration following clinical treatments.
FAQs about niacinamide serums
Is niacinamide good for acne?
Yes. Niacinamide helps regulate oil production, addresses post-blemish uneven skin tone and reduces inflammation, making it highly effective for acne-prone skin.
Can I use niacinamide with retinol and other retinoids?
Absolutely. In fact, niacinamide is recommended to use in the evening alongside retinoids such as retinol and hydroxy pinacolone retinoate (HPR). These two essential ingredients work synergistically for pro-ageing, uneven skin tone, oil control and barrier regeneration.
Can I use niacinamide with vitamin C?
Yes. Modern formulations are designed to allow compatibility between these two power ingredients. However, if using a low pH (acidic) vitamin C serum, it will be incompatible with niacinamide. Choose the new effective vitamin C derivative, ATIP (Ascorbyl tetra isopalmitate). This is a stable, effective, pH friendly vitamin C that can be applied with niacinamide.
Is niacinamide good for dry skin?
Yes. It strengthens the skin barrier, by increasing ceramides and barrier proteins. This will help to lock in moisture for optimising skin hydration, especially when paired with additional hydrating agents like panthenol, sodium PCA or hyaluronic acid.
Which Vitamin B serum should I choose?
| Product | Niacinamide Strength | Best For | Key Benefits |
| Vitamin B serum | 13% | Most skin types, daily use and as an introduction to niacinamide. | Brightening barrier support, hydration, oil control, redness reduction, tone refinement, firming, fine line reduction and antioxidant support. |
| XCell-B | 21% | Those stepping up from 13& Vitamin B serum and looking to target pigmentation, ageing and dull skin. | Advanced multi-tasking serum with a higher dosage for all niacinamide benefits. |
| Priority B | 22% | Clients who have previously used Vitamin B serum and looking for a high strength clinical grade niacinamide. | Highest dose niacinamide supercharger, formulated for clinic treatment and professional support. |
The Clean Science® difference
Synergie Skin’s commitment to science-backed formulations and ethical practices ensures that each niacinamide serum delivers measurable results. Whether you’re beginning your journey or seeking powerful performance, there’s a Synergie vitamin B serum designed for your skin.
