Ingredient Highlight: Niacinamide

Niacinamide or vitamin B3, is a skincare ingredient that has gained significant attention for its versatility and effectiveness. But what exactly is niacinamide, and why is it a must-have in skincare routines? Let’s walk through everything you need to know about niacinamide, from its benefits to how to use it effectively.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3. While it’s naturally found in foods like green vegetables, cereals, sesame seeds, and turkey, the niacinamide used in skincare is typically a bioidentical synthetic form. This ingredient is celebrated for its ability to improve various skin concerns, making it a powerful addition to any skincare routine.

What Are the Benefits of Niacinamide for Skin?

Niacinamide offers a wide range of benefits, making it a comprehensive anti-aging and skin-restoring ingredient. Here are some of its key advantages:

• Improves Skin Barrier Function: Niacinamide strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, reducing water loss and enhancing skin’s resilience. This is especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea and eczema.
• Reduces the Appearance of Enlarged Pores: Regular use of niacinamide can visibly minimize the look of enlarged pores, making your skin appear smoother.
• Evens Skin Tone: It helps reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots, leading to a more even complexion.
• Diminishes Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Niacinamide boosts collagen production, helping to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles over time.
• Reduces Redness and Irritation: Its anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for calming irritated skin, particularly for those prone to redness.
• Moisturizes and Brightens Skin: Niacinamide acts as a moisturizing agent and a skin brightener, enhancing the overall radiance of your complexion.

What Skin Types Can Use Niacinamide?

One of the standout qualities of niacinamide is its suitability for virtually all skin types:

• Sensitive Skin: Niacinamide is well-tolerated by sensitive skin due to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps strengthen the skin barrier, reducing sensitivity and irritation over time.
• Oily Skin: For those with oily or acne-prone skin, niacinamide can help regulate sebum production and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, leading to a more matte complexion.
• Dry Skin: Niacinamide supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier, helping to retain hydration and improve overall moisture levels, which is particularly beneficial for dry skin.
• Combination Skin: Niacinamide’s balancing properties make it ideal for combination skin, addressing both oily and dry areas without exacerbating either condition.
• Aging Skin: With its ability to boost collagen production, reduce fine lines, and enhance skin elasticity, niacinamide is an excellent choice for those looking to address signs of aging.

Because of its versatility, niacinamide is a great addition to nearly any skincare routine, whether your goal is to soothe, hydrate, or brighten your skin.

How to Use Niacinamide in Your Skincare Routine

Niacinamide is incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into your skincare routine in various ways. As you may know, I am not a fan of complex, multi step skin care regimen but I love niacinamide as an ingredient. My recommendation is to find a face cream with niacinamide in it vs adding a stand alone serum to your routine. 

• In Moisturizers and Creams: Many face creams and lotions contain niacinamide as an active ingredient. For a seamless addition to your routine, look for moisturizers like the following, which offer treatment levels of niacinamide:
• Doctor Rogers Face Cream (4% niacinamide)
• Doctor Rogers Face Lotion (4% niacinamide)
• Goop Beauty: 72-Hour Supercharged Hydrating Water-Cream
• Skin Fix: Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream

• As a Standalone Serum: Niacinamide serums are available in concentrations ranging from as low as 2% to as high as 20%. However, it’s important to note that higher percentages don’t necessarily lead to better results and may increase the risk of irritation. I recommend starting with a lower concentration, especially if you have sensitive skin.

What Percentage of Niacinamide is Best?

Niacinamide can be effective in concentrations as low as 2%. However, most skincare products contain it in concentrations ranging from 2% to 10%. While higher concentrations up to 20% are available, they may increase the risk of irritation. As a general rule, I like my patients to use lower concentrations in the effectiveness range of any actives to decrease risks of unwanted side effects.

Potential Side Effects of Niacinamide

Niacinamide is generally well-tolerated, even by those with sensitive skin. However at higher percentages some people may experience mild redness or irritation. Very rarely, some people can have a true allergy to niacinamide. 

Can Niacinamide Be Used with Other Skincare Ingredients?

Yes, niacinamide is a highly stable and compatible ingredient that can be used alongside other actives like retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. Its anti-inflammatory properties can even help soothe the skin when using stronger actives, making it an important ingredient to include in any skincare regimen. 

Niacinamide and Skin Cancer Prevention

Research has shown that taking nicotinamide (a form of niacinamide) orally at 500 mg twice a day can reduce the risk of skin cancer in high-risk individuals. While this is more of a preventive measure rather than a cosmetic benefit, it underscores the significant role niacinamide can play in overall skin health.

Final Thoughts

Niacinamide is a versatile and helpful ingredient that can address a wide range of skin concerns. Whether you’re looking to improve your skin’s texture, tone, or overall health, incorporating niacinamide into your skincare routine is a step in the right direction.

 

These recommendations are not sponsored. They are the result of Dr. Heather D. Rogers, MD evidence-based research and extensive clinical experience. 

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