Niacinamide is an increasingly popular ingredient. Like retinol or vitamin C, it offers distinct benefits for your skin's health. Read on and discover everything you need to know about niacinamide.
What exactly is niacinamide (nicotinamide)?
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinamide, interacts with substances that are naturally present in your skin to help reduce the appearance of dilated pores, even out your skin tone, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, boost radiance and even strengthen your skin’s natural barrier.
Niacinamide is safe for skin conditions like acne, rosacea or dermatitis, and it can also help reduce the damage to your skin caused by environmental pollutants.
The use of niacinamide for your skin
Adding niacinamide to your skincare routine has a number of benefits. Among other things, it can help:
- reduce dark spots and age spots by evening out your skin tone;
- reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production;
- improve your skin’s natural barrier by increasing the production of ceramide;
- reduce the appearance of pores by regulating sebum production.
What role does niacinamide play?
Niacinamide works by boosting the production of collagen, which helps your skin maintain its tone and elasticity. Niacinamide also helps maintain the health of your skin’s natural barrier by increasing the production of ceramides, which are naturally occurring fats that help your skin retain moisture.
How to add niacinamide to your routine
Niacinamide is used in a wide variety of skincare products like serums, creams, lotions and more. Whether you use them alone or in combination with other active dermatological ingredients, you simply need to find the ideal formula to complement your daytime or nighttime skincare routine.
For maximum benefits, apply niacinamide all over your face and simply leave it on. If you prefer using pure niacinamide, apply it immediately after washing your face, before you apply any other facial-care products.
Niacinamide or hyaluronic acid?
Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can be used together, as both are ideal ingredients for your skin care. In fact, they are complementary ingredients offering effective ways to help fight the signs of aging. Niacinamide is better for improving the structure and overall appearance of your skin, while hyaluronic acid is especially useful as a moisturizer.
Niacinamide or salicylic acid?
These two ingredients can also be combined to treat a number of skin conditions at once. Salicylic acid, on its own, is often used to treat acne or blackheads by exfoliating the skin and removing dead skin cells.
Niacinamide or vitamin C?
Recent research has shown that vitamin C and niacinamide can be used together effectively, in a complementary manner. Vitamin C is particularly beneficial as an antioxidant, to help brighten your complexion or neutralize the free radicals that contribute to the aging of your skin.
Niacinamide or retinol?
Known primarily for its anti-wrinkle properties, retinol (which is an active form of vitamin A) is an effective dermatological ingredient that can be used with niacinamide to complete your skincare routine, both day and night. Niacinamide is best used during the day, while retinol is best used before going to bed. Note: make sure you use retinol gradually, as this ingredient can have drying effects on more sensitive skin.
Our product suggestions
Reversa
10% Niacinamide Concentrate, 30 ml
A daily prep skincare designed to refine skin texture and reveal a clearer complexion with less apparant dark spots. With its formula containing a high niacinamide content (10% vitamin B3), enriched with 3 powerful peptides, including a prebiotic, fragmented hyaluronic acid, and witch hazel water, the 10% niacinamide concentrate considerably reduces hyperpigmentation and the appearance of dark spots, as well as other signs of skin aging (fine lines, wrinkles, firmness, etc.), unifies the complexion, improves the texture and grain of the skin. It deeply hydrates, strengthens the skin barrier, and protects it against environmental aggressors, including sources of oxidative stress and blue light. In addition to detoxifying, promoting microcirculation and providing more oxygen to skin cells, it rebalances the microbial flora. The complexion appears more uniform, healthier and luminous, the pores are tightened. Also, 10% niacinamide concentrate increases the effectiveness of other dermocosmetic products that will subsequently be applied. Its formula is 100% vegan and cruelty-free, without paraben, oil, silicone, alcohol, and perfume. This gluten-free skincare contains 90% ingredients of natural origin. Tested under dermatological control, it is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin. Its formula comes in a glass dropper bottle.
Skin Republic
Niacinamide 10% Serum, 30 ml
Niacinamide Serum clinically proven to visibly brighten skin .
Avène
Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum, 30 ml
Dermatological Innovation Concentrated in 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid and 6% niacinamide (vitamin B3), the Concentrated plumping serum acts on the cause of aging and prolongs cell life. From 15 days, the skin is plumped, firmer and more elastic**. It contains only 8 ingredients, 94% natural ingredients, no ingredient of animal origin and its glass dropper bottle is 100% eco-designed and recyclable.
L'Oréal Paris
Bright Reveal Dark Spot Face Serum, 30 ml
Discover radiant skin with L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Serum – your dark spot solution. Packed with niacinamide, it visibly fades the look of stubborn spots in just 1 week. Infused with ferulic acid and amino sulfonic acid, it gently exfoliates and brightens the skin. Its light, non-greasy formula ensures visible results!
