Niacinamide is an ingredient that's actually been a mainstay in some of your favorite products for years, but you might be more familiar with its other name, vitamin B-3. (In fact, some brands like Olay have been using it in their formulas for over two decades.)
This buzzy ingredient recently got its second wind and is now popping up in cult-favorite skincare serums, makeup priming sprays, and even scalp treatments.
To learn more about why everyone is suddenly singing the praises of niacinamide, we reached out to two experts on both sides of the industry. First, we spoke with Rhea Souhleris Grous, aesthetics director and founder of La Suite Skincare at Union Square Laser Dermatology, to learn more about niacinamide. We also chatted with Tammy Yaiser, vice president of product development at Algenist, to get her take on why this ingredient is having such a moment.
What Is Niacinamide?
“Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B-3, a water-soluble vitamin, found in skincare and personal care items,” explained Yaiser. “It’s celebrated for its benefits for brightening and evening of skin tone, anti-aging, fine lines and wrinkles, pore-refining, moisturizing, and antioxidant properties.”
Grous also sings the praises of its multibenefit action, and both of our experts agree that niacinamide can be used on pretty much any skin type. “All skin types and conditions can benefit from niacinamide, as it improves epidermal barrier performance,” Grous said. “It is an essential for skin health as well as anti-aging.”
Benefits of Niacinamide
Another bonus for those looking to use niacinamide for its anti-aging properties is that it's safe to mix and match with nearly all other ingredients. This key advantage sets it apart from other products that boast similar benefits.
“One of the unique benefits of niacinamide is that it is highly compatible with other ingredients in your skincare routine, including retinol, vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs, other anti-oxidants, and peptides,” Yaiser said.
Beyond the fact that it plays well with the products that we already use every day, we love this ingredient's versatility and that it's available in beauty and skincare products across the entire price spectrum. Here are our favorite niacinamide products.
If large pores, dullness, dryness, or even a combination of all three are on your mind, then this priming spray will help address all of them. This priming spray is filled with niacinamide to soothe, hydrate, and soften skin while tightening your pores.
If your skin is more parched than ever, hydrate it with this quenching serum.
It uses the power of niacinamide along with hyaluronic acid to give your complexion the hydrating treatment it's been begging for.
Peter Thomas Roth Peter Thomas Roth Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment
Dealing with hyperpigmentation and dark spots is always a pain, but you can make the journey to a more even complexion a little easier with this treatment. It uses niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and kojic acid to banish dark spots and discoloration for good.
Does your skin seem stressed AF? Calm down any stress-induced aging symptoms you may have with this rich cream, which uses the power of niacinamide alongside superfoods and adaptogens to perk up your complexion.
Wander Beauty Wander Beauty Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation
Makeup should work with your skin rather than against it, which is why we're loving this complexion-nurturing foundation from Wander Beauty. It's packed with niacinamide, centella asiatica extract, and more to correct your biggest complexion issues.
This vegan serum is rich in antioxidants, niacinamide, and the brand's proprietary alguronic acid to give your skin the ultimate anti-aging treatment. This serum targets dullness, uneven texture, dark spots, and redness.
Better Not Younger Better Not Younger Lift Me Up Hair Thickener
Thought only your skin could benefit from niacinamide?
Think again: This hair treatment is filled with the trendy ingredient to create volume, target flaky scalps, and treat your strands to anti-aging benefits.
The Ordinary The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Good skincare doesn’t have to mean expensive skincare.
Example: This powerful serum from The Ordinary, which uses niacinamide and zinc to keep your complexion on-point.
Read More:
The Best Anti-Aging Serums According to Skin Experts
Say Goodbye to Bags Underneath Your Eyes
Is Bukachoil the Skincare Ingredient You've Been Missing?
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Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
