Looking at skin care ingredient labels, the list of scientific-sounding formulas can be daunting. One ingredient that’s popping up more and more is niacinamide (pronounced nahy-uh-sin-uh-mayhd), which is a naturally derived form of vitamin B3. Niacinamide has tons of skin benefits (which we’ll unpack below) and is a dermatologist-approved ingredient that’s safe for virtually anyone to try.
If you’re considering adding niacinamide to your skin care routine, here’s what you should know about the anti-aging ingredient.
What is niacinamide, and what does it do?
“Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is the physiologically active form of niacin or water-soluble vitamin B3,” says Dr. Adeline Kikam, board certified dermatologist and founder of Brown Skin Derm. The skin care ingredient can help with various skin concerns, especially for those with oily and/or aging skin. “[Niacinamide has] notable dermatological benefits, including regulating excess sebum production (helpful for oil control), reducing acne breakouts and minimizing the appearance of pores,” Kikam shares.
What is niacinamide good for?
Niacinamide isn’t just a beauty buzzword — it’s become a major skin care player for a reason: “Niacinamide has become more popular, as it is a versatile ingredient that provides a great option on its own to help target skin care concerns such as discoloration and redness while being gentle on the skin,” explains New York-based board certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. “It is also effective when paired with other ingredients because it can help to strengthen the skin barrier by increasing ceramide production, making other ingredients easier to tolerate as well.” Because it is complementary to other skin care ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, you’ll often see niacinamide paired with it in the same formula. According to Garshick, niacinamide also works well with active ingredients like retinols or exfoliants, where it “can be added to help boost tolerability or efficacy.”
Benefits of niacinamide
From improving hyperpigmentation to supporting the skin barrier, niacinamide has a bevy of skin benefits. “Niacinamide boosts collagen production to improve skin texture, including smoothness, fine lines and wrinkles and helps brighten and fade hyperpigmentation through the regulation of melanosome transfer,” Kikam says. Plus, one of its biggest claims to fame is its ability to minimize pore size by helping regulate excess sebum production and keep them from appearing large and congested.
Overall, it’s a great ingredient for a range of skin concerns, and it’s even safe for those with sensitive skin. “[Niacinamide has] soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good option for those with acne- or rosacea-prone skin,” Garshick notes. Kikam agrees, adding, “All skin types can benefit from niacinamide, especially oily and acne-prone skin and those with rosacea and uneven complexion.”
How to use niacinamide in your skin care routine
There are plenty of ways to incorporate niacinamide into your skin care regimen. It’s found in cleansers, moisturizers, serums, eye creams, sunscreen, body products and more. “??One of the most effective ways to incorporate the benefits of niacinamide is in your evening skin care routine, when the skin and body work to repair and replenish themselves while we sleep,” shares Despina Freimanis, Apto Skin Care esthetician.
In addition, the dermatologists say that there is little concern when adding niacinamide into your skin care. “Niacinamide can be paired with many other skin care ingredients, as it is gentle on the skin and can often boost tolerability,” says Garshick. The only caveat is layering it with vitamin C, which may reduce the efficacy of the products. However, Kikam says a simple fix is to do skin cycling with the two ingredients or wait a few minutes between applying them. “Vitamin C works best at a lower skin pH and is traditionally unstable, while niacinamide works best at a higher/neutral pH,” Kikam says. “Given this, it’s best to space layering these two applications a couple of minutes apart.”
Whether you’re looking for a new face serum or moisturizer, the experts have you covered with their favorite niacinamide products ahead.
$17.99 at Sephora and The Inkey List
$55 at Sephora and Charlotte Tilbury
$10.97 at Amazon and Walmart
$52 at Sephora and Paula’s Choice
$9.49 at Target or $14.99 at Walmart
$88 at Sephora
$55 at Amazon and Nordstrom
$39 at Ulta and Amazon
$15.99 $13.97 at Amazon and Walmart or $13.99 at Target
$7.99 at Sephora and The Inkey List
$44 at Sephora and Amazon
$34 at Sephora and Amazon
$95 at Replenix
