Doctor’s Note: Your Easy + Essential Guide to Niacinamide

Niacinamide has been everywhere in recent years. From improving skin texture to strengthening the skin barrier, niacinamide can do it all! It’s often featured in serums, moisturizers, toners, and more, making it a staple for both beginners and skincare enthusiasts.

Check out our video to the right, or read the highlights below!

Niacinamide

At A Glance

What it is: Vitamin B3.

Key Benefits: Reduces redness, minimizes pores, reduces oil, and strengthens the skin barrier.

Best For: All skin types, especially oily and sensitive.

How to Use: Apply after cleansing, before moisturizer. Safe for morning and night use.

Concentration: Typically 2-10%. Start lower if new to it.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also called Vitamin B3, is a powerful skincare ingredient. It helps keep skin healthy by strengthening its natural barrier, balancing oil, reducing redness, and improving texture. Niacinamide is great for almost all skin types, from oily to dry and everything in between.

How Does Niacinamide Work?

Niacinamide works in three main ways:

  1. Anti-inflammatory: It reduces redness and calms irritation, making it ideal for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

  2. Oil Control: It regulates sebum production, helping to minimize excess oil and reduce breakouts.

  3. Barrier Strengthening: It improves the skin’s natural barrier, enhancing moisture retention and reducing dryness.

Niacinamide-How It Works

Why Should You Use Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that offers multiple benefits for healthier, clearer skin. Whether you’re dealing with redness, excess oil, or uneven skin tone, niacinamide can be a game-changer. Here’s how it works to target common skin concerns and help you achieve a balanced, glowing complexion.

  • Reduces Redness and Inflammation: Niacinamide calms irritated skin, which is helpful for conditions like acne and rosacea.

  • Strengthens the Skin Barrier: It helps skin hold onto moisture, keeping it hydrated and building up its defenses against pollution and irritants.

  • Minimizes Pores: With regular use, niacinamide can make pores look smaller by controlling oil production.

  • Balances Oil Production: Niacinamide is great for oily or combination skin, as it helps control sebum and reduces shine.

  • Improves Skin Tone: Niacinamide lightens dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leading to a more even, brighter complexion.

Niacinamide - Before and After

Shariff R, Du Y, Dutta M, Kumar S 5th, Thimmaiah S, Doraiswamy C, Kumari A, Kale V, Nair N, Zhang S, Joshi M, Santhanam U, Qiang Q, Damodaran A. Superior even skin tone and anti-ageing benefit of a combination of 4-hexylresorcinol and niacinamide. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022 Feb;44(1):103-117. doi: 10.1111/ics.12759. Epub 2022 Feb 1. PMID: 34958693; PMCID: PMC9305876.

Check out how Niacinamide compares to Vitamin C, Retinol, and Azelaic Acid!

Best Niacinamide Serum

What's the best niacinamide serum for you? It can be tricky to decide! Niacinamide is super popular in skincare, and there are tons of products with different formulas and strengths. With options from drugstore to high-end brands, the choices can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re new to niacinamide and want something gentle or looking for a stronger product to tackle specific skin issues, finding the right one can really help your skin. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best option for you:

Niacinamide Spectrum

  • Just a Sprinkle: If niacinamide is just one of many ingredients, it’s perfect for beginners or those with sensitive skin. It gently brightens and hydrates without causing irritation. A good example is a niacinamide toner.

  • Low %: This level helps with mild redness, makes pores look smaller, and improves overall skin texture.

  • 10%: A popular choice. This strength targets dark spots, reduces inflammation, and evens out skin tone.

  • 20%: Best for experienced users, this higher concentration can help with serious dark spots but may cause irritation, making it ideal for stubborn skin issues.

Popular Niacinamide Serums

Finding the right niacinamide serum depends on what your skin needs most. Are you just starting out with niacinamide? Are you dealing with redness, dark spots, or large pores? The good news is that there are many different niacinamide products that target a variety of skin concerns, so there’s something for everyone. To help you choose, here are some of the most popular options:

The Ordinary Niacinamide Serum

Texture: Lightweight serum
Niacinamide: 10% to reduce blemishes and regulate oil
Zinc: 1% to balance sebum production
Hydrating Ingredients: None specified
Best For: Oily and combination skin, acne-prone skin

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum

Texture: Lightweight liquid serum
Niacinamide: 10% to minimize pores and even skin tone
Zinc: Not included
Hydrating Ingredients: Glycerin for moisture retention
Best For: All skin types, especially those with uneven tone and enlarged pores

Anua 10% Niacinamide+ 4% Tranexamic Acid Serum

Texture: Lightweight gel-serum
Niacinamide: 5% to brighten and reduce dark spots
Zinc: Not included
Hydrating Ingredients: Panthenol for hydration
Best For: Hyperpigmented and uneven skin tone

How to Use Niacinamide in Your Routine

You can use niacinamide in the morning and at night for the best results. Just apply it after cleansing and before moisturizing. But how does it work with other ingredients like retinol or vitamin C? Here’s a guide on how to add niacinamide to your routine based on the products you’re already using:

Niacinamide and Retinol

Niacinamide and Retinol

Using niacinamide with retinol can reduce signs of aging and improve skin texture. Note that both retinol and niacinamide decrease oil production, so this might be a very drying combination for you!

Layering Option #1: Apply niacinamide before retinol at night.
Layering Option #2: Use niacinamide in the morning and retinol at night.
Can you use niacinamide with retinol? Yes, using them together can enhance the results while minimizing potential side effects.
Can I use niacinamide with retinol? Yes, just be mindful of the concentration to avoid irritation.

Niacinamide vs Vitamin C

Niacinamide vs Vitamin C

There used to be a misconception that niacinamide and vitamin C couldn’t be used together. However, newer formulations of Vitamin C (like 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid) pair well with niacinamide, making them a strong duo for brightening skin and reducing discoloration.

Layering Option #1: You can apply niacinamide and Vitamin C together.
Layering Option #2: Use Vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide at night.

Niacinamide vs Hyaluronic Acid

Niacinamide vs Hyaluronic Acid

This combination is all about hydration and barrier support. Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the skin, while niacinamide helps retain it by strengthening the barrier.

How to Layer: Apply hyaluronic acid first, then follow with niacinamide.

Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid

Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid

If you struggle with acne or oily skin, using salicylic acid with niacinamide can help. Salicylic acid unclogs pores, while niacinamide reduces oil production and soothes inflammation.

How to Layer: Use salicylic acid first, followed by niacinamide.

Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide

Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide

Both ingredients are effective for acne and hyperpigmentation. Azelaic acid reduces redness and brightens skin, while niacinamide strengthens the barrier and controls oil.

Layering Option #1: Apply niacinamide before azelaic acid.
Layering Option #2: Alternate between morning and night.

Niacinamide and Tretinoin

Niacinamide and Tretinoin

If you’re using tretinoin for acne or anti-aging, niacinamide can help reduce dryness and irritation.

Layering Option #1: Apply niacinamide before tretinoin.
Layering Option #2: Apply niacinamide in the morning and tretinoin at night.

Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide

Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide

Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin, making it smoother, while niacinamide soothes and strengthens it. Using them together can help reduce the risk of irritation.

How to Layer: Use glycolic acid first, followed by niacinamide.

Niacinamide FAQ

Can Niacinamide Cause Acne?

Niacinamide is generally safe for acne-prone skin, but some people may experience breakouts. This is usually due to other ingredients in the product or your skin adjusting to something new.

Does Niacinamide Cause Purging?

Unlike actives like retinol or acids, niacinamide doesn’t speed up cell turnover, so it shouldn’t cause purging. If you notice irritation, it’s probably due to sensitivity or overuse.