Niacinamide has become one of the buzziest skincare words on the market—and for good reason. The superstar ingredient works to treat various skin concerns at once, making it essential to add the best niacinamide serum into your skincare regimen.
Wait, what is niacinamide?
The ingredient is a form of vitamin B3 and can stand on its own in serums and creams, but it’s even better when combined with other skin-boosting ingredients. “B3 is an essential nutrient the body needs,” says Dr Purvisha Patel, dermatologist.
Despite what the packaging says, it’s best to scan the ingredients label and look for “niacinamide”—not nicotinic acid. “It’s thought that nicotinic acid converts into niacinamide, but nicotinic acid can cause flushing and redness of the skin,” says Dr Patel.
What does niacinamide do and how does it work?
“Niacinamide does a little bit of everything with minimum to potentially no irritation, making it a very inclusive ingredient,” says dermatologist Dr Elyse Love. “This powerhouse ingredient soothes the skin barrier, decreases overall irritation for a slew of skin issues, helps enhance skin’s overall moisture, reduces oiliness, and promotes more even skin tones,” she explains.
Dr Patel also adds that the ingredient has a significant brightening benefit, “as it affects melanocytes, cells that play a role in pigment formation in the skin.” For that reason, you’ll find it in products designed to fight discoloration and lessen red marks left over from acne. What’s more, because niacinamide reduces irritation, “it can temper the effects of other anti-aging ingredients that can cause the skin to act up, like wrinkle-smoothing retinol or exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids,” Dr Patel adds.
Serums are actually one of the best vehicles for niacinamide. “The vitamin is water-soluble and will most effectively absorb into the skin in a serum form,” explains Dr Patel. “An effective serum should also have two to 10% of niacinamide,” says dermatologist Dr Annie Gonzalez.
How often should I use niacinamide?
The great news is that niacinamide is gentle and can be used daily in both your morning and night time skincare routines. As with any serum, make sure you layer it on after cleansing your skin (to remove makeup, dirt, and oil) and before moisturiser (so it can penetrate the skin more easily.) “I personally infuse this into my skincare routine and am regularly recommending this to my patients,” says Dr Love.
Now that know the facts about this ingredient, you can give your skin the glow it deserves. Here are the best niacinamide serums you can try, according to the experts
Best overall
La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B
This pure retinol face and neck serum is a dream come true if you haven’t found a daily serum that works for you. It leaves the skin feeling smoother, hydrated, and refreshed right after using the product.
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