It has quite the resume, including helping to reduce the appearance of surface redness, hyperpigmentation, pore size, strengthen the skin barrier, regulating sebum production, and more.
Want to give niacinamide a try? Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do, according to derms.
It’s clear why niacinamide is such a skincare must-have.
Given it is a tolerable ingredient, Marisa K. Garshick, M.D., points out that niacinamide is safe to incorporate into a daily cleanser, moisturizer, or serum that is meant for daily use. It can also be used both in the morning or at night.
At higher concentrations, niacinamide may cause redness and irritation, warns Dr. Garshick. “While having anti-inflammatory properties, when niacinamide is used in higher concentrations, it may cause contact dermatitis, which may manifest itself as redness and a rash,” she says.
Lian Mack, M.D., recommends easing your way into using niacinamide, ideally by coupling it with sunscreen. “Niacinamide does not make your skin sensitive to the sun, so it is okay to use in the morning,” she adds. “If you are tolerating the product daily for at least 2 weeks, try to increase it to every other night and then nightly."
Don’t give up on niacinamide, or any other skincare ingredient, too quickly. “Most skincare products do not deliver immediate effects, so in order to truly benefit them, it is important to use them consistently and be patient,” says Brendan Camp, M.D.