Ingredient Spotlight: Niacinamide

Niacinamide is often dubbed as the all-rounder hero in many skincare routines. It holds countless benefits for all different skin types, so it’s not hard to see why everyone is obsessed. But if you’re wondering what is niacinamide and what does niacinamide do, we’ve got all the answers for you. Keep reading to find out all the deets.

Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3 and is a water-soluble vitamin that works with your skin’s natural oils and vitamins to achieve results. It’s an essential nutrient for your skin, which is why many people experience noticeable results once they add niacinamide to their routine. While you can get sources of vitamin B3 through your diet, topical application can accelerate the benefits.

If you’re wondering how niacinamide works on skin, then don’t look any further. Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin, which means that it’s not naturally stored in the body. Because of this, you’ll need to supplement your diet and the skincare you use. When applied topically, niacinamide sinks into the skin to help reduce inflammation, shrink pores, and even skin tone and texture.

Can niacinamide be used with vitamin C or other ingredients? The answer is, yes. Niacinamide can be used with any other skincare ingredient and is often included in most formulas, thanks to the impressive roster of benefits it offers.

And here are some of those benefits. Who needs niacinamide? Put simply, anyone and everyone could benefit from adding niacinamide to their skincare routine. It helps to reduce acne, refine texture, reduce the size of pores, calm rosacea, enhance barrier function, smooth out pigmentation, reduce signs of ageing, and the list goes on.

If you’ve made it to this point, chances are you’re sold on adding niacinamide into your routine. But you might have some questions. How should you use niacinamide? Should niacinamide be used in the morning or at night? Should niacinamide be used every day? 

Niacinamide can be used morning and night on a daily basis. It’s compatible with pretty much every other skincare ingredient, so don’t worry about adding it to your skincare stack. While it has many benefits for your face, it can also be used on the neck, chest, and back, particularly if you’re investing due to the acne-fighting benefits.

Sold? Here are some of our favourite niacinamide products to get you started.

First up on the list is one of our own faves, the By BEAUTY BAY 5% Niacinamide + Vitamin C Toner. Formulated with two glow-giving heroes — niacinamide and vitamin C — this toner is a must-have. It’s gentle, brightening, and reduces the appearance of pigmentation and pores, making it ideal for boosting dull skin and uneven skin tone.

Looking for a boujee niacinamide buy? Look no further than the Allies of Skin Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster. Think of this as a multivitamin for your face. 10% niacinamide helps to control oil production, reduce the appearance of pores, and balance the skin, whilst prebiotics, probiotics, and Centella Asiatica brighten, glow, and soothe.

Niacinamide is just as good in eye creams as it is in face creams, and the Kopari Beauty Niacinamide & Caffeine Eye Bright Cream proves exactly that. This lightweight, refreshing formula has been developed to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and eye bags, thanks to niacinamide’s anti-inflammatory and refining properties. The addition of caffeine, cucumber extract, and ultra-filling spheres gives the skin a boost.

We love a good clay mask, which is why we couldn’t miss out on the Aurelia London Balancing Niacinamide Clay Mask. This product does exactly what it says on the tube — niacinamide, kaolin clay, charcoal, salicylic acid, and witch hazel all work together to deeply cleanse, balance, and reduce blemishes. Congestion will soon be a thing of the past.

It’s no surprise that skincare go-to’s CerVe has capitalised on the benefits of niacinamide in their formulas, and believe us when we say that the Resurfacing Retinol Serum With Ceramides & Niacinamide is a powerhouse for blemish-prone skin. These two hero ingredients work together to reduce spots and post-blemish marks, whilst a blend of three ceramides calms and protect the skin’s natural barrier.

We were already sold on Bubble Skincare as soon as we saw the packaging, but the formulas they house are just as impressive. The Day Dream Vitamin C + Niacinamide Tone and Texture Serum combines the glow-giving dream team once again. Vitamin C and niacinamide work together to brighten, refine, hydrate, and even skin tone, making it a must-have whatever your skin type.

If you want niacinamide in its purest form, then this is it. The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder is exactly that — just niacinamide. It can be mixed with any water-based product, whether that be a serum or a moisturiser, to help fight blemishes, congestion, shine, enlarged pores, and excess sebum. You can tailor the amount, meaning you can customise any of your skincare to get that extra dosage.

Last up on the list is an oldie, but a goodie. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has had our backs since day one. Loved by many and still a staple in most skincare routines, this serum has all the benefits of niacinamide with the addition of spot-busting zinc. Simply layer under your moisturiser and let your best skin shine through.