Well tolerated by even the most sensitive skin, the anti-inflammatory ingredient soothes, strengthens, and rejuvenates skin, and can safely be used alongside other active ingredients including AHAs and retinol.
“When used topically, niacinamide can improve skin hydration by preventing evaporation of moisture from the skin into the environment. It's also a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, so it's great for calming irritated skin but also good for people with sensitive skin,” says Nazarian.
If you have sensitive skin, you may want to start with a lower concentration. Formulas with 2 percent niacinamide may help ease symptoms of eczema and similar conditions. Niacinamide may be listed as “niacin” and “nicotinamide” on product labels.
Though all skin types can benefit from niacinamide, Dr. Li warns that "combining niacinamide with vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, makes niacin, and may cause skin irritation and transient flushing." For this reason, Dr.
You may experience some redness and irritation when you start using niacinamide products. Some of this may be normal and lessen over time, but lasting irritation may be a sign you're using too much or a product with too high of a concentration of niacinamide for your skin type.
Children should avoid taking niacinamide doses above the daily upper limits, which are 10 mg for children 1-3 years of age, 15 mg for children 4-8 years of age, 20 mg for children 9-13 years of age, and 30 mg for children 14-18 years of age. Diabetes: Niacinamide might increase blood sugar.
And luckily, using niacinamide in the morning doesn't pose an increased UV risk. Unlike some other popular active ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and retinol, "niacinamide is photo-protectant, so it is not considered a product that may cause photosensitivity," Dr. Allenby explains.
Summary – Does Niacinamide Cause Purging? Niacinamide doesn't increase skin cell turnover which means that it shouldn't cause 'purging'. However, it may cause breakouts.
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr. Marchbein.
When selecting niacinamide products, Dr Ho advises that “a concentration of 4-5% niacinamide is ideal—enough to improve acne and fine wrinkles”. Higher concentrations, like The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc, have not yet been proven to exhibit a higher rate of efficacy.
Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin. Niacinamide, on the other hand, reduces inflammation and boosts skin's natural moisturization. Niacinamide is a very accommodating ingredient.
As it's well tolerated by most people, niacinamide can be used twice a day everyday. It works at any time of the year although it comes in particularly handy in winter during cold, dry weather and frequent use of central heating. Use it in the run-up before starting your retinol treatment and alongside it, too.
Niacinamide can be used morning and night. Because it plays well with other skincare ingredients (even potentially tricky actives such as exfoliating acids and vitamin C) it will sit happily alongside anything else you're using.
While the two ingredients are similar, they also have their differences. "Because it's a mild acid, vitamin C also gives you more of an exfoliating and brightening effect than niacinamide," says Dr. Lee. "Niacinamide has a greater impact in terms of hydrating the skin."
In a word, yes. One of the great things about niacinamide is not only the litany of benefits it delivers, but also the fact that it's relatively well tolerated, even for those with sensitive skin, says Dr.
When applied on the skin, niacinamide cream might cause mild burning, itching, or redness. When doses of over 3 grams per day of niacinamide are taken, more serious side effects can happen. These include liver problems or high blood sugar.
Niacinamide is an important nutrient that has numerous skincare abilities and can assist with helping to reduce signs of acne-scarring. Those who experience acne-prone skin will understand the frustrations of unwanted blemishes that tend to appear at the most inconvenient times.
It seems that niacinamide has a normalising ability on the pore lining, and this influence plays a role in keeping debris from getting backed up, which leads to clogs and rough, bumpy skin. As the clog forms and worsens, the pores stretch to compensate, and what you'll see is enlarged pores.
Niacinamide Serum – As most niacinamide serums are water-based, it's best to apply them after cleansing and toning and before oil-based serums or moisturizers. This way, you ensure the highest possible absorption and effectiveness.
Retinol has similar benefits, but it's stronger than niacinamide. It's also known to cause irritation, redness, and dry skin. Pairing the two ingredients is safe and can make retinol easier to use. Niacinamide helps hydrate the skin, which reduces the risk of irritation caused by retinol.
Niacinamide With Vitamin C Are a Winning Combination
This means that you're safe to use both niacinamide and vitamin C, either together in the same product, or combined from different products that you layer one over the other.
2 Best skincare ingredient for your 20s: Niacinamide
To start incorporating niacinamide into your routine, Dr. Jaliman recommends InstaNatural 5% Niacinamide Serum, telling us it's "a good one to use at any age," but especially in your 20s when it can prevent early signs of aging from worsening.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
If you're looking to take in the overall benefits of niacinamide, Gmyrek recommends this moisturizing lotion from CeraVe. It is not only formulated with niacinamide, but also includes hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and protected.