Niacinamide for Skin: How to Use Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a well-researched and trending skincare ingredient, and for good reason. There are known Niacinamide skin benefits, including the visible reduction of dark spot appearance and hydrating the skin – just to name a few. Below, learn more about Niacinamide and how you can incorporate it into your skincare routine.

This article is provided for informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult with a board-certified dermatologist for personalized recommendations.

What Does Niacinamide Do?

Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, can offer many benefits for the skin. It can help to support the skin's barrier function, which can lead to improved hydration and resilience. Niacinamide is also known for its ability to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, support oil control, and it can help visibly brighten discoloration. While niacinamide is generally safe and beneficial for most skin types, possible side effects include redness or irritation in some individuals, particularly those with sensitive skin or when used in high concentrations. Always consider your skin's specific needs and sensitivities and consult a dermatologist if you’re unsure about niacinamide or how to introduce it into your skincare routine.

Niacinamide Benefits for Skin Texture and Skin Barrier

If your skin texture is a concern, Niacinamide is an ingredient worth exploring. Niacinamide has been shown to improve the look of skin texture¹ and products containing Niacinamide have been shown to provide anti-aging benefits.² In addition to improving the look and appearance of skin texture, Niacinamide may improve skin barrier function.³ Niacinamide hydrates the skin by improving the skin’s barrier functions.⁴ By improving the skin’s barrier function, Niacinamide helps to increase skin’s resistance against environmental aggressors and topical products.⁵

Niacinamide Benefits for Dark Spots

Dark spots on the skin can often be an indicator of aging and are most often caused by sun damage.⁶ You may be wondering how to reduce the look of dark spots on skin. Niacinamide is an ingredient which has been shown to be effective in visibly improving the look of dark spots on the skin.⁷ In one study Niacinamide was shown to significantly brighten and lighten the look of dark spots on the skin in just 8 weeks.⁸ Niacinamide is a great ingredient to look out for if you experience dark spots and it’s also been shown to improve the look of a sallow skin tone.⁹

Niacinamide Benefits for Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Just another reason to love Niacinamide for skin – the ingredient has also been shown to visibly reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines.¹⁰ In numerous studies and trials of various product formulations, Niacinamide has been shown to improve the look of wrinkles and fine lines on photodamaged skin which could be thanks to Niacinamide’s ability to improve skin barrier function.¹¹

Is It Okay to Use Niacinamide Every Day?

Yes, it is generally safe to use niacinamide every day. Niacinamide is known for being a gentle and versatile skincare ingredient that suits many skin types, including sensitive skin. When used daily, it can provide benefits like skin barrier support and visibly evening skin tone. However, you may like to start with a lower concentration and monitor how your skin reacts, especially if you have sensitive skin. Also, make sure to follow the usage instructions on the specific product you are using, as formulations can vary.

What Ingredients Are Compatible with Niacinamide?

If you are using (or looking to use) Niacinamide in your skincare routine, you may be wondering what products and ingredients work well together. Niacinamide is known to be a relatively stable ingredient which works well with a variety of other ingredients but note that different products and different ingredients are likely to give different results.

Niacinamide and Retinol

Retinol is a potent skincare ingredient which is popular thanks to its known benefits such as minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles but it’s also a highly active ingredient which can cause those with sensitive skin to experience skin irritation.¹² That being said, one study showed that the combination of Niacinamide and Retinol (along with the ingredients Hexylresorcinol, and Resveratrol) in a skincare product showed an improvement in overall skin appearance.^13,14

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid

As we’ve learned, Niacinamide is an ingredient known for boosting hydration and moisturizing the skin. Hyaluronic Acid is another ingredient which is also known for its hydration benefits.^15,16 Although both ingredients increase skin’s hydration, Hyaluronic Acid is a humectant ingredient while Niacinamide is an occlusive ingredient (meaning it can help to lock in moisture). Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid make a particularly great duo for those looking to achieve a healthy glow and even skin tone.

Niacinamide and PHA (Polyhydroxy Acids)

Niacinamide is an ingredient that you can find formulated into our Clarifique Pro-Solution Brightening Serum along with a 10% PHA concentration (gluconolactone). When PHA is combined with an ingredient like niacinamide, it delivers visible brightening results without the unwanted harshness.

Is Niacinamide Better or Vitamin C?

Choosing between niacinamide and vitamin C depends on your specific skin concerns and goals. Niacinamide is excellent for minimizing the appearance of pores and supporting the skin barrier, making it a great choice for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It also helps in visibly reducing redness and evening skin tone. Vitamin C is highly effective for visibly brightening the skin and visibly reducing discoloration. It’s particularly beneficial for enhancing skin radiance and improving overall skin texture.

Both ingredients can be used in a skincare routine, as they each offer unique benefits. They can also be used together for combined benefits. Our Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum contains a combination of Activated C, a potent, stabilized form of Vitamin C, and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), making it a highly effective product to improve the look of dark spots and see anti-aging benefits, like visibly smooth, radiant skin.

When to Use Niacinamide

It’s easy to see why Niacinamide is an ingredient sought after in skincare, but when do you use it? Our Clarifique Pro-Solution Serum is formulated with Niacinamide in a form of vitamin B3 that is known to deliver visible brightening results. Applied in the morning before moisturizer, the antioxidant-packed brightening serum helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and post-acne marks, plus discoloration caused by sun damage. The gentle formula contains 10% PHA + Niacinamide, a unique concentration to improve the appearance of dark spots over time without being harsh on skin.

Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum is our anti aging serum formulated with Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, and Ferulic Acid. It’s a unique triple-dose serum that helps improve volume loss, visibly reduces wrinkles, and also helps with dark spots. This anti-aging serum is also applied in the morning before moisturizer, and contains three separate serums, all of which have a different texture – a gel, a cream, and an emulsion formula. These serums are housed in triple-chamber packaging which holds each serum in separate chambers. With one pump the three serums dispense and blend together effortlessly to create one luxurious texture, which feels lightweight on the skin.

Clarifique Pro-Solution Serum

Brightening & Dark Spot Reducing

25% Off in Cart with Code: BLOOM

Old price New price $89.00

BESTSELLER

Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum

Plumping & Dark-Spot Reducing

25% Off in Cart with Code: BLOOM

Old price New price $150.00

Niacinamide Benefits for the Eye Area

Niacinamide can be highly beneficial for the eye area. It helps visibly brighten dark circles by promoting an even skin tone, a bright eye contour, and helping minimize under-eye puffiness. Niacinamide also helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, enhancing resilience and moisture retention, which is crucial for the delicate eye area. Incorporating a product with niacinamide into your eye care routine, like our Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum Eye, can lead to a brighter, more refreshed look. Regular use can help improve skin texture, making it appear smoother, depuffed, and more even, while also helping the skin retain moisture for a visibly refreshed eye area.

Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum Eye

Visibly Lift & Reduce Eye Wrinkles

One size only

0.7 fl. oz.

25% Off in Cart with Code: BLOOM

Old price New price $95.00

Niacinamide Benefits for the Body

Body care products formulated with Niacinamide can be a welcome addition to your body care routine. Niacinamide is known to improve visible skin texture and tone, which is an excellent choice to incorporate into your routine if you experience roughness and flaky skin. Our Absolue Soft Body Balm is formulated with Niacinamide that’s known to soothe skin and improve skin tone evenness and texture. Upon immediate application, skin is smoother, softer, and less flaky, and skin roughness improved 27.5% in a clinical test at 4 weeks.