You know how your beloved dog never sets a foot wrong, lives to please and will never let you down? Well consider niacinamide the skin care equivalent. Whether you’re tackling pigmentation, acne, large pores, dryness, excess sebum or even wrinkles, niacinamide can and will do it all. Although this ingredient has a difficult name to pronounce, it’s incredibly easy to tolerate and introduce into your skin care regimen. That’s likely why it’s quickly become one of the most popular skin care ingredients, even rivalling hyaluronic acid’s untarnished reputation.
While we could tell you all the wonders that niacinamide has to offer (we’re big fans), we’ve asked an expert to weigh in as we break down everything you need to know about niacinamide.
What is niacinamide?
“Niacinamide is an active water-soluble ingredient found in skincare products that is a form of vitamin B3 (or niacin, also known as nicotinamide),” said Biologi’s Dermal Specialist Lucy Macdougald. “It’s a type of protein that can help to keep skin firm and healthy.”
According to Lucy, a little-known fact is that niacinamide is an ingredient that is also present in nature, specifically in strawberry gum leaf. If you’re planning on hosting a skin care trivia night, we suggest back-pocketing this nugget of knowledge.
What are the benefits of using niacinamide?
If you haven’t already picked up on it, there are many. “One of its biggest benefits is that it helps to protect the skin cells from environmental damage such as pollution and blue light,” says Lucy. “In our modern world, there’s no escaping free radical damage caused by environmental factors such as gas, smoke, dust and chemicals,” which makes utilisitng the protective abilities of niacinamide so important for maintaining the health of our skin.
“Niacinamide can also be an incredible ingredient when it comes to dealing with acne, even severe cases such as inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Niacinamide is also known for its ability to regulate oil production, increase hydration and also help to reduce redness.”
Basically niacinamide will do everything but wash your car. Which is why you’ll be hard-pressed to find a skin care range that isn’t using this incredible ingredient.
What skin care products can you mix it with?
According to Lucy, “this can depend on the brand and the potency, especially if it is a product containing other natural ingredients.” However, “if it is just a niacinamide product containing only that ingredient, then you should be fine to mix it with most ingredients.”
What skin care products can’t you mix it with?
“It used to be vitamin C. However, these days the formulation is much more advanced. The ‘niacinamide flush’ [was] something that people talked a lot about a while ago when using ascorbic acid and niacinamide together, but with today’s more modern formulations, it is not such a concern.” Sound like something you’d be interested in? Biologi’s Bg Defence Anti-Pollution Serum ($58, Biologi) contains both strawberry gum leaf extract (a plant-based niacinamide) and vitamin C, in a pairing that Lucy says “work harmoniously together”.
Niacinamide serums we’re using and loving:
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Niacinamide Serum
“I have been using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Niacinamide Serum twice daily for a few weeks now and have definitely noticed a big difference in my skin texture and uneven towns and redness. Since using this product my skin has felt much smoother and more hydrated, along with a lessening of redness and darker tones on my face.”
Want to know more? Read Neutrogena Hydro Boost Niacinamide Serum reviews here…
$26.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
“A great product to add to your moisturizer and it not only will make your skin feel more supple and younger looking it will leave you with non dry and softer touchable skin.It also doesn’t have a strong smell that will clash with your perfume or for the sensitive skin types too.” – Lgauci
Want to know more? Read Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster reviews here…
$56.10 at Paula’s Choice
La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum
“After a few weeks my skin looked brighter, more even-toned and very hydrated. It has appeared to lighten a small dark patch I had on my cheek. It’s a five-out-of-five from me!” – Margaret759
Want to know more? Read La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum reviews here…
$57.56 at Adore Beauty
Habitual Beauty Hydrating Serum
“I only needed to use 2 drops to my face, neck and décolletage as a little goes a long way. After using for a couple of days my skin was glowing. I certainly noticed a reduction in the appearance of the fine lines – especially around my eyes. A fantastic Serum that i would recommend to anybody that wants to improve their skins overall appearance.” – Orchid27
Want to know more? Read Habitual Beauty Hydrating Serum reviews here…
$125 at Sephora
PHASED Skincare Vitamin B3 Serum
This powerhouse serum truly is a holy grail skin care product. Formulated with 10 per cent niacinamide, the PHASED Skincare Vitamin B3 Serum works to target enlarged pores, fine lines and uneven skin tone and texture. The end result? A complexion so radiant, smooth and youthful-looking you won’t even need to wear makeup.
Have you tried this product? Leave your PHASED Skincare Vitamin B3 Serum review…
$24.99 at PHASED Skincare
Main image credit: @gwynethpaltrow
Do you use a niacinamide serum? If so, which one?
Some great products with the N ingredient!
I just received a sample of the La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum and I am loving it. My new fave serum. Very light, sinks in well and does not irritate. Perfect!
Sounds great! Maybe I’ll give that one a try
That is good to know
Good to know. Always great to try a sample first if you can.
Yay! I’m glad it’s good, I can’t wait to try it!
Never tried this but now I might! Thanks! X
I am using a niacinamide based product however it’s a toner but would probably like to try a serum.
It is interesting to read, especially the products that can be mixed or not.
I’d love to try the Habitual Beauty Hydrating Serum but it’s way out of my price range 🙁
I used a niacinamide serum from The Ordinary which worked well
Atm not using. But liked in past
use one every day
Have used it in a serum before and may gravitate back to it again
Lots of useful info in this article.
I use a QV Niacinamide that I bought in the Rewards Room – I love it. It feels so nice on my skin
That’s great. Glad it’s working for you RINNY.
A lovely sounding ingredient
I have never used it and get confused with all the products I should be using
I know JuJu47, so many products. It has my head swimming. Good that we can try a few from the Rewards Room.
Really love Niacinamide in the Serums that I use also my Face Moisturiser for Day and Night Creams usually with hyaluronic acid as well.
I haven’t tried this ingredient before, but would be keen to give it a go!
I’m a fan of Niacinamide.
I’ve used the LRP which I quite liked. I have another bottle in my stash but I can’t remember which brand.
Interesting red
Typo, *read
Viamin B – good for your skin and inner health too
Used to use this quite frequently but got bored.
I keep hearing about Paula’s choice, must try it.
I don’t use currently.But tried Olay Luminous Niacinamide Super Serum in the past and had good experience with them.
I don’t have one at the moment but my favourite one that contains it is the Ultraceuticals B2 Hydrating Serum.
haven’t used it but have just recently heard about it
I think I need to add niacinamide to my skincare routine
Not using Niacinamide atm
I really want to try the La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 serum. Love La Roche-Posay!
Sure do! I use Mukti Organics’ Vital B Elixir, which contains niacinamide. I notice the difference in my skin when I don’t have it in my arsenal as opposed to when I do – my skin just looks duller & I notice my pigmentation & redness more. The only unfortunate part is this stuff is expensive, but I also know I can’t live without it!
Helpful article.
it’s good to read about this ingredient, it’s very new to me.
Really keen to try the Habitual Beauty range
Some great options
I’ve used heaps, but unfortunately my skin just doesn’t seem to like it.
Ooh. I’ll need to find a sample of something to try this, I think.
One of my fave ingredients, I really want to try the LRP serum, I think mixing it into a moisturiser would work really well
The La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide Serum is amazing.
Interesting comment about Niacinamide and Vitamin C “flush” and how it is now no longer a concern because “formulations” are better these days. I’ve done a bit of research on this and what I found was that it is, and has always been, a myth that niacinamide and ascorbic acid cannot mix. That niacinamide flush reaction simply does not happen at physiological temperature.
Interested in trying out La Roche-Posay Pure Niacinamide Serum
I’m yet to try niacinamide, but it’s on my radar.
I want to try the powder form of it from The Ordinary
I have tried the Biologi serum, it didn’t really do anything for my skin.