Winning Niacinamide Combinations
Barrier Restoring
Niacinamide + Ceramides
Supports skin barrier, soothing and strengthening.
Brightening
Niacinamide + Brighteners
Supports skin brightness by inhibiting transfer of melanin to the surface, combined with other brighteners to target dull skin, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots.
Target Breakouts and Oily Skin
Niacinamide + Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide + Zinc
Great for oily, breakout-prone skin or those with enlarged pores to clarify, target breakouts, regulate sebum, and support the skin barrier.
Repair + Renew
Niacinamide + Retinol
Boosts cell turnover and collagen production, targets fine lines and wrinkles. This combination reduces pore appearance for smoother, more youthful-looking skin and counteracts retinol irritation by balancing hydration.
Niacinamide: Multi-Benefit Ingredient
Niacinamide is a brilliantly versatile, multi-benefit ingredient that works well at low percentages and pairs with many actives to target acne, fine lines, uneven skin tone, oxidative stress, and compromised barriers.
Key Benefits
- Anti-Inflammatory: Soothes skin prone to acne, rosacea, and eczema.
- Skin Barrier: Reduces trans epidermal water loss, boosts ceramide production, and improves moisture retention.
- Aging Skin: Increases elasticity, collagen, and reduces wrinkles.
- Antioxidant: Protects against environmental aggressors.
- Acne/Oily Skin: Balances sebum production and minimizes pores.
- Hyperpigmentation: Inhibits melanin transfer to fade dark spots and brighten dullness.
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Clinical Studies:
✏️ 5% niacinamide gel (4-5% Niacinamide) is at least as effective as 2% clindamycin gel (a topical antibiotic commonly prescribed to acne patients) for treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris (Shahmoradi et. al, 2013)
✏️ Another study showed a topical preparation of 4% niacinamide worked just as well as 1% clindamycin to treat moderate acne as 1 percent clindamycin when applied twice daily for eight weeks. (Khodaeiani et. al, 2013)
✏️Niacinamide-containing facial moisturizers improves skin barrier and benefits subjects with rosacea after 4 weeks of use. (Draelos et. al, 2005)
✏️ Topical 5% niacinamide provides significant improvements in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, skin sallowness and increase skin elasticity. (Bissett et. al, 2005)
✏️ Niacinamide is an effective skin brightening compound that works by inhibiting melanosomes transfer by 35-68%. (Hakozaki et. al, 2002)
✏️ Topically applied 2% niacinamide + sunscreen lotion significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin brightness after 4 weeks of use (Hakozaki et. al, 2002)
The Reality of Niacinamide in Skincare
Niacinamide has been a star ingredient for years, with clinical efficacy at low percentages (1-5%). Many products now include it for brightness, clarity, and antioxidant protection. You may already be using it unknowingly in serums, moisturizers, or even makeup.
Standalone vs. Layered Niacinamide
With makeup brands adding niacinamide to foundations and SPF, ask: Do you need a standalone product, or will targeted formulas suffice? Avoid overloading your skin if using multiple niacinamide-containing products.
Future Outlook
Anti-Melanoma Activity: Limited research explores topical niacinamide’s potential against melanoma. Oral Vitamin B3 shows promise for non-melanoma skin cancers. Always consult your dermatologist for updates.
There is promising but very limited emerging research on the topical use of Niacinamide and anti-melanoma activity in addition to an existing study on the positive correlation of Vitamin B3 Oral intake and non-melanoma skin cancers. All of which is beyond the scope of this infographic. Get in touch with your GP or Derm to learn more and I hope we see more clinical research on this emerge over time.
How to Layer Niacinamide
Where to Find Niacinamide
Toners, serums, moisturizers, cleansers, SPF, and makeup.
Layering Tips
- Sensitive Skin: Avoid stacking multiple high-concentration products.
- 10% Serums: Skip if other products already contain niacinamide.
Texture-Based Application
- Mists/Toners: After cleansing
- Serums: Before moisturizer/SPF. Safe with retinol or vitamin C.
- Gels/Creams: Final step before SPF (AM) or as night cream (PM).
