What is Niacinamide? And what does it do?
Niacinamide (aka Vitamin B3 and Nicotinic acid) is a very beneficial skin-restoring ingredient. It helps to create ceramides (natural lipids that allow skin to retain moisture), helps to improve uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and helps maintain skin's moisture barrier protection.
Who can use it?
Everyone! It benefits people with: hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dull, dry skin and skin sensitivity. Because it's non-irritating and anti-inflammatory, it has also displayed to calm acne. Basically, it's one of the best multi-tasking skin care ingredients one could ask for.
Word of caution: The only people who should NOT be using niacinamide are those that have proven to be VERY sensitive to it (which is very rare, but hey it happens).
Dermatologists suggest starting out with a small amount on your skin and take note of any negative skin reactions or talk to your skin care specialist.
Here are ranges of (not-so-expensive and expensive) products that contain niacinamide:
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion $15.49 at ULTA
Lightweight cream that delivers lasting hydration.
Contains skin-restoring niacinamide and skin replenishing ingredients.
Fragrance free
Skin Type: ALL
Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum $22.99 at ULTA
Has a lightweight silky texture.
Contains skin-restoring niacinamide and a variety of antioxidants.
Includes skin-conditioning and skin soothing ingredients.
There is another version that is fragrance free for those with sensitive skin.
Skin Type: ALL
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water Ultra Gentle Cleanser $9.99 at Target
Gently and effectively removes dirt, oil and all types of makeup.
Contains skin beneficial ingredients such as niacinamide, ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid.
Fragrance free
NOTE: high amount of niacinamide in this product may cause eye stinging if it gets in the eye. I personally don’t use this to remove my eye makeup, I use a fragrance free makeup wipe.
Skin Type: ALL
NIA24 Skin Strengthening Complex $93 at Dermstore
Ingredients are capable of repairing and replenishing skin’s barrier.
Can (to some extent) reduce appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. (NOTE: your skin won’t go from lined to lineless but with ongoing use (along with a good sunscreen) you should see some improvement.)
Contains skin-silkening combo of: emollients, niacinamide, cell-communicating ingredients, several antioxidants and skin identical ingredients.
The amount of niacinamide is capable of lightening sun-induced skin discolorations to a minor extent.
NOTE: NIA24’s version of niacinamide is known as myristoyl nicotinate.
Skin Type: Normal to dry skin, not prone to acne.
Paula’s Choice Skincare RESIST 10% Niacinamide Booster $42 at Nordstrom
High concentration of niacinamide.
Additional soothing ingredients and antioxidants.
Water-like formula with no silicone or oils.
Fragrance free
Skin Type: ALL
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% $5.90 at Sephora
Contains a high amount of niacinamide.
The combination of niacinamide and zinc PCA may help with acne and oily skin.
Has a silky, weightless gel texture.
Fragrance free
NOTE: This product is not as comprehensive as other niacinamide products. It also has a somewhat tacky finish (which isn’t appealing cosmetically).
Skin Type: ALL
