What Is Niacinamide and How to Choose the Right Nicotinamide Products for Your Skin Care?

• What Is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide,  also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly improve enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, and a weakened surface.
In addition, niacinamide can also reduce the impact of environmental damage as it has the ability to improve the skin's barriers and also helps the skin to repair signs of past damage.

Niacinamide is also applied to the skin for treating eczema, as well as a skin condition called inflammatory acne vulgaris.

• Niacinamide Benefits for Your Skin

Niacinamide is an exceptional skin care ingredient because it can treat almost any skin concern. It is an effective treatment for the following issues

▲ Acne and breakouts

▲ Hyperpigmentation and dark spots

▲ Scarring

▲ Uneven skin texture

▲ Oversized pores

▲ Redness and sensitivity

▲ Compromised skin barrier, which looks like itchy, flakey, or overly thin skin

▲ Premature aging, especially fine lines and loss of tone

▲ Overproduction of oil

▲ Dullness and sallowness

• Possible Side Effects to Using Niacinamide

In most cases, nicotinamide is a very safe choice.

However, people with sensitive skin may become red or irritated when using niacinamide. If that happens to you, you can try to reduce the frequency of nicotinamide use, or switch to a product with a lower percentage of nicotinamide. If it doesn't work, discontinue use.

Some people are really allergic to niacinamide, just like any other skin care ingredient. If you notice persistent itchiness, redness, or bumps, discontinue use.

• Best Niacinamide Skin Care Products for All Skin Types

1. Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

A daily facial toner that balances oily skin, minimizes enlarged pores and provides light hydration. Niacinamide can brighten skin tone, shrink pores, and lighten acne marks. Also added with chamomile extract, it can repair sensitive skin and reduce redness. Besides, the extract of Burdock can induce apoptosis, thereby achieving the effects of exfoliation and acne. Ceramide can lock in moisture and repair the skin's barriers.

2. CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion Fragrance Free for Nighttime Use

Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion for Nighttime Use has an ultra lightweight, unique formula that moisturizes throughout the night and helps restore the protective skin barrier with three essential ceramides (1,3,6-II). The formula also contains hyaluronic acid to help keep skin’s natural moisture and niacinamide to help calm skin.

3. ProX by Olay Dermatological Anti-Aging Even Tone Spot Fading Treatment

Its potent combination of niacinamide, sepiwhite and laminaria saccharina extract helps to fade the look of skin discoloration such as sun spots and dark patches. It is designed to tackle root causes of uneven skin tone to restore even tone and achieve smoother, brighter skin as part of a regimen. Treat skin with a targeted approach by tackling the root causes of uneven skin tone—UV exposure and surface free radicals, lack of hydration and slower skin-surface renewal.

4. SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence

In addition to the unique PITERA™ ingredient, the combination of nicotinamide and sepiwhite can reduce your skin's hidden and visible spot formations to reveal a spot-less aura glow. Besides, hydrolyzed prunus domestica and citrus reticulata peel extractis added to enhance whitening and antioxidant effects.

5. Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

This concentrated 10% niacinamide serum booster dramatically improves uneven skin tone and refines the appearance of pore size, skin texture and fine lines.

6. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% High Strength Vitamin and Mineral Blemish Formula

Using advanced science and high concentrations of vitamins and minerals, the lightweight serum infuses skin with an intense dose of Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) that has been proven to minimise the look of blemishes and discolouration. The addition of Zinc Salt balances the formula, helping to regulate sebum production for a visibly clearer and refined complexion.

7. Revolution Skin Blemish and Pore Refining Serum - 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc

Using two skin-friendly ingredients, Niacinamide and Zinc, this lightweight and gentle serum helps to tackle blemishes and minimise the appearance of large pores.
These ingredients combine to regulate the skin's natural oil production, helping to prevent further congestion, while Zinc has calming and soothing properties that helps reduce the appearance of active blemishes.

8. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer, Fragrance-Free

Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Amino-Peptides and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), this moisture-binding formula instantly plumps & lifts surface cells. The luxurious-feeling moisturizer immediately leaves skin hydrated, softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles and firms the look of skin with plumping hydration.