How To Comb Through Niacinamide Products + FAQs, From Cosmetic Chemists

Niacinamide really does seem to do it all. For dry, compromised skin, niacinamide can help support a healthy skin barrier. For oily skin types, it can assist with oil control. It can even help tackle unwanted pigmentation and uneven skin tone. All of that at just about a 2 to 5% concentration. So, how do we get this ingredient into our routine? 

Start by reading the labels on your existing products. You might be surprised to find that you already have a few products in your arsenal that contain this ingredient. The key to incorporating niacinamide into your routine is to make sure you don't end up overlaying too many niacinamide products. Because it's such a prolific ingredient, you'd be surprised by how easily you can overdo it without even realizing you've been layering eight niacinamide-boosted products. 

One of niacinamide's greatest strengths is that it can play nice with everyone. Instead of dedicating a whole product step to a niacinamide serum, consider a chemist-favorite move and leave niacinamide to your moisturizer. Plus, you end up saving yourself a step in your routine. Time is money, people!

Always give the ingredient list a quick scan. If the product doesn't list a percentage, look for niacinamide in the top seven or so ingredients for an effective level. Other than that, niacinamide is really one of the most easygoing actives. There really isn't much else to consider formula-wise, other than personal preference. It's a truly chill fellow.

A: There is such a thing as too much of a good thing in skin care. Most niacinamide studies use 2% to 5% of the ingredient. There's no reason to think 30% niacinamide is six times as effective as 5% niacinamide. You're more likely to irritate your skin with ultra-high concentrations than anything else.

A: Niacinamide is a very vanilla, stable ingredient from our perspective. Unlike vitamin C and retinol, you don't have to worry about its stability. And unlike acids, you don't have to think about pH too much. So, other than concentration, most niacinamide-based products are fairly similar.

A: The two vitamin B's commonly found in skin care are niacinamide and panthenol, two completely different molecules. While panthenol doesn't fight pigmentation like niacinamide, it's a much better hydrating ingredient. We love the combination of the two!

A: Nope! It regulates pigment transport but won't stop it.

A: Nope! This is the coolest thing about niacinamide. Because it actually improves barrier function. So it regulates sebum and improves hydration at the same time.

Adapted from Skincare Decoded: The Practical Guide to Beautiful Skin by Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu. Copyright 2021 Weldon Owen.