Niacinamide as a skin care ingredient really deserves your attention. Your skin will thank you for it. Along with some other great ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, niacinamide really stands out. Especially because it is a versatile ingredient, it can be used for almost every skin problem and every skin type. This is probably not news to most people, but for those who don't know yet, we always base ourselves on scientific research into ingredients. Research on niacinamide for the skin unanimously shows how special it is. New studies also continue to show that it is one of the most interesting ingredients in skin care. 

What is niacinamide?

Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3 and nicotamide. It is a water-soluble vitamin, which interacts with substances naturally present in the skin. It visibly reduces and shrinks enlarged pores, smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, improves uneven skin tone, makes dull skin glow again and strengthens the natural skin barrier.

Because niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, it also reduces the impact of harmful environmental influences. It also helps repair previous skin damage. This also makes the skin look younger and more radiant.

Why you should be taking niacinamide?

In case you are still wondering: what is niacinamide actually good for? So we're pretty impressed with everything niacinamide can do for your skin when it's incorporated into products such as toners, serums, and high-concentration leave-on treatments. Niacinamide works well with all products in your skincare routine, including products containing retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, AHAs, BHA, vitamin C and all types of antioxidants.

Feel free to include several products with niacinamide in your routine. This will not cause sensitivity or irritation, as vitamin B is well tolerated by all skin types. Niacinamide is even suitable for those who suffer from sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.

Another benefit of niacinamide/vitamin B3 for the skin is that it helps to renew and repair the skin's surface. It also prevents moisture loss and thus dehydrated skin, because it stimulates the natural production of ceramides. And ceramides, in turn, strengthen the skin. A lack of ceramides makes the skin vulnerable and can cause all kinds of skin problems, such as dry, flaky or very sensitive skin.

If you suffer from dry skin, you can use niacinamide to boost the moisturizing properties of day and night creams. This prevents dry, tight skin. Niacinamide goes well with many moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin, unscented vegetable oils, cholesterol, sodium PCA and sodium hyaluronate.

So what does niacinamide do to your pores? 

Good question, although the answer to that question isn't quite certain. Simply put, research hasn't fully established how exactly vitamin B works when it comes to reducing the appearance of pores, but… it does! It seems that niacinamide mainly works on the inside of the pores. There it prevents dirt from building up, preventing clogged pores and rough skin with bumps. If a pore does get clogged, it will be stretched and you will get enlarged pores. By helping the skin to behave normally again, pores are allowed to return to their original size. Sun damage can also be the cause of enlarged pores. This can lead to a so-called orange peel.

For those wondering what niacinamide does against pimples, we have good news: research has shown that a concentration of 2% or higher is already effective in combating (red) spots after pimples. That makes skin care products with niacinamide a good choice for those who suffer from acne-prone skin.

How does niacinamide help with discoloration and uneven skin tone? 

Both problems stem from an excess of melanin (skin pigment) on the skin's surface. Niacinamide products in concentrations of 5% and target different processes to prevent new discoloration. At the same time, the ingredient helps fade existing discolorations, so your skin looks more even. Niacinamide and other anti-discoloration ingredients work well together, such as all forms of vitamin C, licorice, retinol, and bakuchiol.

How do you use niacinamide?

Using niacinamide is very easy: choose well-formulated skin care products that contain niacinamide as well as other ingredients that are good for your skin, such as antioxidants and nourishing and skin-repairing ingredients.

Multiple ingredients in your skincare are important because while niacinamide is an impressive ingredient, it's not the only ingredient your skin needs to feel and look great. Think of it as your diet: Kale may be healthy, but you would quickly become malnourished if you only eat kale. Your body needs more than one type of healthy food. The same goes for your skin, which is the largest (and most visible) organ in your body. For best results, use a leave-on product with niacinamide twice a day after cleansing your skin. That means you can use a toner with niacinamide right after cleansing to refresh and hydrate your skin. 

Just what you like. Just experiment a bit to find out what works best for your skin!

Do you experience stubborn skin problems such as visibly stretched pores, pores that have become slack or a rough, lumpy skin texture?

Try niacinamide in a unique concentration of no less than 20%. The Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment visibly reduces stretched and enlarged pores, smoothes rough (orange) skin and minimizes bumps due to accumulated sebum. It makes the skin texture fine and smooth again.

Products containing niacinamide can also be safely applied around your eyes. It can even help reduce dark circles and fine lines. It also prevents moisture loss around the eyes and ensures firmer skin. And that can certainly use that delicate skin.

There really is no reason not to add niacinamide to your routine. This incredibly versatile vitamin B improves the skin in so many ways: it gives you an even complexion and makes your skin look more radiant and younger. As with all ingredients in skin care, it is important to protect your skin daily with a broad-spectrum sunscreen or day cream with at least SPF 30. This way your skin benefits optimally from niacinamide and other proven active ingredients in your skin care.