Niacinamide – Skincare Guide

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is one of the most researched and well-tolerated skincare ingredients. It supports skin barrier function, helps regulate oil production, improves the appearance of uneven tone, and provides soothing benefits.

Key Benefits

1. Strengthens the Skin Barrier

• Supports the production of ceramides, fatty acids, and other important components that help maintain a healthy skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.

2. Regulates Sebum (Oil) Production

• Helps regulate excess oil and shine, making it suitable for oily and blemish-prone skin types.

3. Helps Reduce the Appearance of Redness

• Provides soothing benefits that help reduce the appearance of redness and support a calmer-looking complexion.

4. Helps Improve the Appearance of Uneven Tone

• Helps improve the appearance of dark spots, uneven skin tone, and dullness for a brighter-l Helps Improve the Appearance of Uneven Tone

  • Helps improve the appearance of dark spots, uneven skin tone, and dullness for a brighter-lookooking complexion.

5. Improves Skin Texture & Pore Appearance

• Minimizes the look of enlarged pores and improves overall smoothness.

6. Antioxidant Protection

• Helps protect the skin against oxidative stress associated with environmental aggressors and premature skin ageing.

Niacinamide by Skin Type

Normal Skin

• Maintains hydration, clarity, and balance.

• Use 2–5% formulations for daily maintenance.

Dry Skin

• Helps support the skin barrier by promoting natural ceramide production.

• Combine with hyaluronic acid or ceramide-rich moisturizers.

Oily Skin

• Helps regulate excess oil, reduce shine, and improve the appearance of enlarged pores.

Combination Skin

• Helps balance the appearance of oily and dry areas for a more even-looking complexion.

Sensitive Skin

• Helps reduce the appearance of redness while supporting the skin barrier.

• Start with a lower concentration and introduce gradually to assess skin tolerance.

  
  

Acne-Prone Skin

• Helps improve the appearance of post-blemish marks while supporting balanced-looking skin.

• Can be used alongside ingredients such as salicylic acid. When combined with benzoyl peroxide, introduce products gradually to help minimise the risk of irritation.

Dehydrated Skin

• Helps improve skin hydration and reduce the feeling of tightness.

• Works well layered under hydrating serums.

Mature / Ageing Skin

• Helps improve the appearance of uneven tone, texture, and visible signs of ageing.

• Often used in formulations with peptides or retinoids.

Warnings & Precautions

• Higher concentrations may cause temporary flushing, tingling, or irritation, particularly in sensitive skin.

• Introduce gradually when combining with exfoliating acids, retinoids, or other active ingredients, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

• Patch testing is recommended for sensitive or compromised skin.

• Choose well-formulated products and store them according to the manufacturer's instructions to maintain product quality.

Scientific References

• Gehring W. Nicotinamide in dermatology. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2004;3(2):88–93.

• Bissett DL, Oblong JE, Berge CA. Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves the appearance of ageing facial skin. Dermatologic Surgery. 2005;31(7 Pt 2):860–865.

• Hakozaki T, Minwalla L, Zhuang J, Chhoa M, Brown J, Jiang LI, et al. The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer. British Journal of Dermatology. 2002;147(1):20–31. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04834.x.

• Draelos ZD. Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures. 2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell; 2015.