Here’s What You Need to Know About Niacinamide, a Do-It-All Skin-Care Staple
Spoiler alert: This versatile skin-care ingredient actually lives up to the hype.
Few skin-care ingredients are as versatile as niacinamide. In fact, according to New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, this buzzy skin-care staple is chock-full of benefits (but more on those later). Before diving in any deeper, it’s important to understand how niacinamide works–including the science behind it. According to Dr. Green, this “gentle yet powerful” ingredient works by “increasing the natural lipids found on the skin’s surface and reducing water loss.” The result? A healthy, hydrated, and strong skin barrier. It’s also worth noting that niacinamide is considered an essential nutrient, which, per New York City-based board-certified Brendan Camp, means that the body cannot produce or store it. As such, explains Dr. Camp, “Niacinamide must be consumed through food or applied to the skin via skin-care products to acquire it.”
Niacinamide can do it all, whether your goal is to reduce the appearance of fine lines, brighten dark spots, or have some extra protection against free radicals. When applied topically, Dr. Green tells ELLE that niacinamide helps support your skin’s barrier, minimize redness, and protect against sun damage. She also credits niacinamide with having a calming and brightening effect on the skin, which helps “improve overall tone and texture while calming breakouts and controlling excess sebum and oil production.” Meanwhile, board-certified dermatologist Jeriel Weitz of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City adds that niacinamide helps soften fine lines and wrinkles by “reducing the immunosuppressive effects of UV radiation.”
People with hyperpigmentation will also want to incorporate some niacinamide-infused skincare products into their routines. According to Corey L. Hartman, Medical Director and Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, niacinamide can also help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation (AKA dark spots) on the skin’s surface.
Since niacinamide is such a versatile ingredient, you’ll find it across various skin-, body-, and hair-care products. For example, explains Dr. Camp, “It may show up as a calming agent in a cleanser, a hydrating ingredient in a moisturizer, a brightener in a serum, or a strengthening agent in a shampoo or hair mask.” However, Dr. Green notes that niacinamide is most commonly found in serums, which typically range in concentration from two to ten percent (or sometimes even higher!)
According to Dr. Hartman, niacinamide is one of the most gentle yet effective skin-care ingredients on the market, making it suitable for all skin types. The dermatologist also describes niacinamide as “a great ingredient” for folks with oily, acne-prone skin since it can help decrease pore size and reduce acne-caused inflammation. Similarly, Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified dermatologist based in La Jolla, California, credits niacinamide's anti-inflammatory properties with reducing redness and irritation. With this in mind, niacinamide is also suitable for those with rosacea-prone skin, explains Dr. Weitz.
But also, a word of warning: Dr. Shirazi says that higher concentrations of niacinamide—“particularly those at 10% or higher—“can potentially cause irritation such as redness and rebound oil production.” On that note, Dr. Green recommends that sensitive-skinned folks start with a lower concentration to avoid potential irritation and redness. “A 2% niacinamide is a good starting point, and you can gradually increase this concentration over time, depending on how well your skin tolerates it,” she says.
Great news ahead: “Niacinamide pairs well with other skincare ingredients,” says Dr. Weitz. She adds it’s “often combined with other active ingredients based on the specific concern that a particular product is targeting.” Take niacinamide and retinol, for example. According to Dr. Green, “When used in combination with retinol, it can help ease the dryness and flakiness that often accompanies it.” You can also mix niacinamide with a slew of other skin-care ingredients – including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, peptides, vitamin C, and AHAs and BHAs – to pack an extra powerful punch. Below are our favorite niacinamide-infused products, including a handful of derm-approved recs.
Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum: For Plumping & Anti-Aging
Pros
- Target wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines
Cons
- High price tag
Dr. Shirazi is a fan of Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum for its antioxidant-packed formula featuring vitamin C and ferulic acid. She also notes the serum’s ultra-lightweight texture, which absorbs quickly into the skin (read: no greasy residue).
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- It’s easy to go through it quickly
Nécessaire is known for its chic, minimalist-inspired line of body-care products, and the brand’s signature Body Wash is no exception. Opt for the niacinamide-enriched variety, which features a lightweight gel texture that gently cleanses the skin sans any stripping. Available in two scents (Sandalwood or Eucalyptus) or a fragrance-free formula.
Paula's Choice BOOST 10% Niacinamide Booster, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C & Licorice Extract Serum, Pore Minimizer, 0.67 Ounce
Pros
- Lightweight serum
Cons
- Not best for sensitive skin
“This soothing product contains niacinamide, vitamin C, allantoin, and licorice extract to brighten skin, minimize fine lines, and combat free radicals,” says Dr. Green of Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster. Plus, the essentially weightless formula just so happens to be paraben-, phthalate-, and cruelty-free.
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 (1.7 fl. oz.)
Pros
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Hefty price tag
The SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 is pricey at $120 per bottle, but its innovative, light-as-air formula makes it worth the splurge. This do-it-all moisturizer contains skin-barrier-strengthening niacinamide, firming peptides, and hydration-boosting glycerin.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer
Pros
- Oil-, fragrance-, and paraben-free
Cons
- Small amount of product
Dr. Shirazi describes the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer with Niacinamide as “rich” and “nourishing.” Per the dermatologist, the moisturizer is also formulated with ceramides and glycerin to “further support the skin barrier” while delivering “long-lasting hydration.”
Saturday Skin Carrot + Niacinamide Moisturizing Cream at Nordstrom, Size 1.69 Oz
Pros
- Enriched with antioxidants and ceramides
Cons
- Rich, creamy texture may feel heavy during warmer months
The Saturday Skin Carrot + Niacinamide Moisturizing Cream is packed with ceramides—plus niacinamide and antioxidant-loaded carrot (!)— to leave skin soft and healthy. The cream’s rich, velvety-smooth texture is especially noteworthy.
Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum with Niacinamide
Pros
- Pulls double duty as a toner and a serum
Cons
- Not fragrance-free
Dr. Hartman credits Fenty Skin’s Fat Water Pore-Refining Toner Serum—which is one-part toner, one-part serum—to deliver “a brightening and toning effect without stripping away too much oil.” The subtly sweet fruity scent, which features cherry and fig, is an added bonus.
Pros
- Simultaneously brightens and soothes skin
Cons
- Lower concentration
Dr. Weitz uses this Fig.1 Niacinamide Treatment every morning as part of her own skin-care routine—so you know it’s the real deal. In addition to niacinamide, the product also contains “restorative ions such as magnesium, copper, and zinc to calm redness and brighten the skin.” Meanwhile, glycerin and squalane pack an extra-powerful punch of hydration.
Pros
- Designed for everyday use
Cons
- Very sheer
Nearly every expert we spoke to recommended EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46—and it’s easy to see why. “This daily SPF moisturizer is popular because it combines niacinamide with other powerful skin-care ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E,” explains Dr. Camp. The dermatologist also calls the tinted formula “especially helpful for melasma-prone patients.”
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops Highlighting Serum
Pros
- Subtle, non-shimmery sheen
Cons
- Serum can be thick upon application
For a natural-looking glow—sans any makeup—reach for Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. In addition to niacinamide, this fan-favorite serum contains a blend of hydrating ingredients like watermelon, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- 10% niacinamide may be too strong for people with sensitive skin
According to Dr. Green, The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum is “one of the most affordable options out there,” yet it still contains “quality ingredients.” This water-based serum clocks in at under $7 per one-ounce bottle—making it an absolute steal.
Pros
- Antioxidant-packed formula
Cons
- May irritate people with sensitive skin
Farmacy’s 10% Niacinamide Night Mask works while you snooze: By the time your alarm goes off in the AM, you’ll awake to super-smooth skin. The innovative formula features a blend of niacinamide, moisturizing panthenol, antioxidant-packed blueberry seed oil, and conditioning shea butter.
Sunday Riley Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum with Niacinamide
Pros
- Helps eliminate product buildup on scalp
Cons
- You can go through this product pretty quickly
Soothe sensitive and itchy scalps once and for all using Sunday Riley’s Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum. According to Dr. Camp, niacinamide helps calm irritated scalp skin, while the blend of alpha and beta-hydroxy acids removes buildup.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Pros
- Wallet-friendly price point
Cons
- Doesn’t list an exact concentration of niacinamide
CeraVe’s PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is a drugstore staple for a good reason. This oil-free, ceramide-rich moisturizer, which offers incredible value at just over $12 per three-ounce bottle, is known for its featherweight texture and conditioning formula, which is spiked with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
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