An almost universally well-tolerated skincare ingredient, pretty much everyone could benefit from being well acquainted with niacinamide. Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is often overlooked in favour of everyone’s favourite antioxidant; vitamin C. However, niacinamide’s non-irritating, anti-redness, and brightening properties make it a viable contender for your skincare routine.
Here’s everything you need to know about using this active in your skincare routine, as well as our favourite products with niacinamide.
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What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a water soluble form of vitamin B3. Also known as nicotinamide, this skincare active is not produced by the body, meaning it’s essential to ingest or use it topically to reap its benefits.
What are the benefits of niacinamide for skin?
With consistent use, niacinamide can help improve your complexion by reducing redness, improving the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and reducing hyperpigmentation. It also works to strengthen the skin’s barrier, which improves its ability to lock in moisture and protects against environmental damage, and can help regulate sebum levels to reduce the appearance of pores.
How to use niacinamide in your skincare routine?
Niacinamide can be used in the morning and at night and should be applied after cleaning and toning, alongside any other water-based serums, and before oil-based serums and moisturiser.
It’s best not to use vitamin B3 at the same time as other skincare actives and acids like vitamin C, AHAs, and BHAs, as this can reduce the effectiveness of either product or potentially cause irritation. Instead, alternate days or use nicotinamide during the day and other ingredients at night.
Niacinamide can be used with retinol for impressive results; niacinamide’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to strengthen the skin barrier aids with preventing the irritation and redness often associated with retinol use.
The 7 best products with niacinamide
1. Boost Lab Vitamin B3 Blemish Rescue Serum
Combining vitamin B3 with zinc and a polysaccharide-based pollutant protectant, Boost Lab Vitamin B3 Blemish Rescue Serum works to reduce acne, skin blemishes, redness, and the appearance of pores, while regulating sebum production.
2. ESK B Calm
If you aren’t looking to add yet another serum to your skincare routine, ESK B Calm may be the way to go. A light moisturising cream formula, B Calm contains 5% vitamin B3 and is designed to be used after your serums to improve acne and redness, and enhance your skin’s barrier function.
3. The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder
With 100% vitamin B3, this powder option allows you to customise your skincare routine by combining niacinamide with non-conflicting skincare ingredients (like peptides or hyaluronic acid). Try mixing it into a water-based serum or moisturiser.
4. Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
This lightweight, water-based serum contains 10% vitamin B3 as well as other antioxidants and skin-supporting ingredients like liquorice to soothe the skin and even out skin tone.
5. Medik8 White Balance Overnight Repair (for brightening/combines w other potent ingreds)
Niacinamide often works better when combined with other complementary ingredients. For the ultimate skin-brightening treatment, Medik8 White Balance Overnight Repair teams vitamin B3 with liquorice and mulberry to brighten dark spots, as well as PHA gluconolactone to gently exfoliate and reveal brighter, more radiant skin.
6. Hylamide Pore Control
Specifically designed to minimise the appearance of pores and reduce shine and congestion, Hylamide Pore Control combines vitamin B3 with peptides, bitter mushroom concentrate, marine ferments, and pistacia lentiscus tree resin.
7. Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum
This serum combines plant-based retinol alternative bakuchiol with skin-moisturising squalane and niacinamide. The combination work together to target fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, and even out skin tone.
FAQ
With continued use, vitamin B3 can reduce hyperpigmentation and lighten dark spots.
Yes, vitamin B3 is one of the most well-tolerated skincare ingredients.
Zinc and vitamin B3 work together to brighten skin, minimise the appearance of pores, reduce hyperpigmentation, reduce redness, and enhance the skin’s barrier.
Words by Theo Rosen
Feature image courtesy of Emmie America for Vogue Ukraine
