Niacinamide is one of the most widely used ingredients in skincare products. From moisturisers, serums, masks, and washes, its versatility allows it to be used in a range of products. If you pick up any skincare you use now and take a look at the ingredients, you’ll likely see niacinamide.
Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B-3 and is also known as nicotinamide. Since niacinamide is a relatively unreactive chemical with a neutral PH, it can be combined with other active skincare ingredients without causing irritation. It improves skin health and appearance in many different ways so if you’re looking for an all-in-one ingredient or have just gotten into skincare, niacinamide is perfect.
Benefits
- Reduces the size of pores. This helps skin look smoother and stay moisturised for longer.
- Regulates sebum (oil) production. Niacinamide’s moisture retention ability is also useful to people with oily skin. Sebaceous/oil glands will produce oil when they detect that the skin is dry. For people with oily skin, these glands are extremely easy to trigger and often produce far more oil than necessary. Niacinamide helps regulate the amount of oil the glands produce and reduces their activity.
- Treats acne. Niacinamide can help reduce acne with its oil-reducing properties which can prevent blackheads and whiteheads from forming. But it can even help with inflammatory forms of acne, like papules and pustules.
- Reduces redness. Since Niacinamide reduces inflammation, it helps get rid of redness from acne, eczema, and other inflammatory-based skin conditions.
- Minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. With its sun protection and moisture retention properties, niacinamide can leave the skin looking plumper.
- Treats hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide can mildly reduce hyperpigmentation as it affects collagen production. Using it alongside an ingredient like vitamin C or alpha-arbutin can significantly minimise these dark spots.
- Provides sun protection. Whilst rebuilding healthy skin cells, improving moisture retention, and reducing hyperpigmentation and inflammation, niacinamide will protect skin cells from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation and free radicals.
Products
The way you incorporate and use niacinamide in your skin routine will be dependent on what type of product you use. Any type of product will be effective in delivering the benefits of niacinamide.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (30ml)
Deciem – £5.60
Beauty Bay – £5.50
Boots – £5.60
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Cream SPF30 (40ml)
La Roche-Posay – £18.50
LookFantastic – £18.50
Boots – £17.50
PAULA’S CHOICE 10% NIACINAMIDE BOOSTER (20ml)
Paula’s Choice – £44.00
Cult Beauty – £44.00
Isabel is a writer and editor with a passion for reading, art and philosophy. She often spends her time pondering the meaning of life and performing her rigorous skincare routine.
