What does Niacinamide do for skin?

Niacinamide helps support smoother, more balanced skin. Discover its key benefits and how to use it in everyday skincare.

What's in this article:

Read Time: 5 minutes

What is Niacinamide?
6 Niacinamide Benefits for Skin
Niacinamide and Other Ingredients
Facts Overview
NIVEA Skincare Routine with Niacinamide
Summary
FAQ

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a versatile, water-soluble ingredient widely used in skincare for its ability to help skin tone, texture, and hydration while strengthening the skin’s barrier. Regular use of products containing Niacinamide may help address concerns such as hyperpigmentation, dryness, uneven tone, and signs of ageing, making it a valuable addition to many skincare routines.

6 Niacinamide Benefits for Skin

With regular use, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) can help promote a healthier looking, more balanced complexion. Here is how it may benefit the skin:

Nivea Derma Skin Clear Skincare Products Displayed on a turquoise background

Brightens and Evens Skin Tone

Niacinamide may help reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration by acting on melanin distribution in the skin. This can lead to a visibly brighter, more uniform complexion over time.

Calms and Soothes Irritated Skin

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, Niacinamide can help relieve redness, sensitivity, and discomfort, making it ideal for those with reactive or blemish-prone skin.

Strengthens the Skin Barrier

By boosting the production of ceramides, Niacinamide helps reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. This not only improves resilience but also aids in retaining moisture and shielding skin from environmental aggressors.

Regulates Sebum, Improves Skin Texture and Pore Appearance

Regular use may help regulate sebum production, refining the look of skin texture and reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, for a smoother, more even surface.

Boosts Hydration and Moisture Retention

Niacinamide enhances the skin’s ability hold onto moisture, promoting a plumper, more hydrated look without clogging pores.

Supports Anti-Ageing Benefits

By encouraging Collagen production and improving skin elasticity, Niacinamide can help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles, contributing to a firmer, more youthful appearance.

Caution: Even if a product includes Niacinamide in its formula, it doesn't imply that the product exhibits all the benefits listed above - these will depend on various factors such as the formulation and the concentration of Niacinamide. Please see the packaging instructions to know the effects of the specific product that you use.

Niacinamide and Other Ingredients

Besides Niacinamide’s versatility and gentle nature, it is compatible with a wide range of skincare ingredients, such as:

Niacinamide and Vitamin C:

Both ingredients can work together to brighten the skin. While Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection, Niacinamide can help even out skin tone and reduce irritation that could be caused by Vitamin C, making them a suitable pairing for some individuals.

Niacinamide and Retinol:

Combining Niacinamide and Retinol can offer benefits for those looking to target signs of ageing. Niacinamide may help soothe and hydrate the skin, reducing irritation caused by Retinol, while Retinol could encourage skin turnover. Using both ingredients together can lead to smoother skin with continued use.

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid:

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid are an excellent pairing for hydration. While Hyaluronic Acid draws moisture into the skin, Niacinamide may help strengthen the skin’s barrier and locks in that moisture. Together, they can provide intense hydration and improve the skin's texture, leaving the skin plump and smooth.

Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid:

This combination can be especially helpful for oily or blemish-prone skin. Salicylic Acid works to unclog pores and reduce excess oil, while Niacinamide can help refine pores, calm the skin and support the skin barrier. Using both may help manage breakouts and minimise the appearance of pores without overly drying the skin.

Niacinamide and Thiamidol:

Niacinamide and Thiamidol work together to target hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Niacinamide could help regulate sebum production and mainain hydration, while Thiamidol helps fade dark spots for a more even, radiant complexion.

Experience the three powers of glow with three key ingredients in the NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow Instant Glow Serum. This serum combines Niacinamide, Thiamidol, and Aloe Vera to target dark spots and uneven skin tone, leaving your skin smooth, radiant, and deeply hydrated. Niacinamide, known to help reduce excess oil and refine pores, may contribute a mattified and more even skin. Thiamidol helps reduce excess pigmentation, brightening the complexion by targeting dark spots. Meanwhile, Aloe Vera is famous for its soothing and hydrating properties, promoting your skin's glow.

With regular use, the NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow Instant Glow Serum reveals a luminous, healthy complexion, balancing skin tone and texture for a radiant, glowing look day after day.

NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow Serum

NIVEA LUMINOUS630 Skin Glow Instant Glow Serum 30ml

Niacinamide

Facts Overview

Benefits: Niacinamide helps support even skin tone, reduces redness and inflammation, strengthens the skin barrier, improves hydration, and may help diminish the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation.

Application: Niacinamide is typically applied after cleansing and toning, either as a serum or within moisturisers.

Special Features: Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3, known for its gentleness, versatility and compatibility with most skincare ingredients, making it an ideal ingredient for a wide range of skin types.

Niacinamide Skincare Routine with NIVEA

Niacinamide is gentle enough for daily use and can be easily incorporated into your routine with the right products. Here is a step-by-step guide using NIVEA’s Derma Skin Clear range with Niacinamide to support healthy-looking, hydrated skin.

1. Cleanse

Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser like the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel, which contains both Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid. With this combination, the formula removes excess oil, unclogs pores and reduces blemishes, leaving the skin clear and mattified. This step not only cleanses away impurities but also prepares your skin for the following steps.

Explore NIVEA Facial Cleansers

2. Tone

Follow cleansing by gently applying the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Toner to help rebalance your skin and remove any lingering oil or dirt. Formulated with Niacinamide, it works to soothe the skin, regulate oil production, and strengthen the skin barrier, helping to reduce blemishes over time.

3. Serum

Follow with a serum, such as the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Rebalance and Clear Serum, which is specially formulated with Niacinamide to calm blemish-prone skin and reduce redness. This serum helps rebalance oil levels while keeping skin hydrated and smooth. Gently massage it into clean, dry skin, focusing on areas needing extra care to promote a clearer, calmer, and more radiant complexion over time.

Explore NIVEA Facial Cleansers

4. Sunscreen (Morning Routine)

Finish your morning routine with the NIVEA Sun UV Face Specialist Derma Skin Clear SPF 50+. This broad-spectrum sunscreen with Niacinamide protects your skin from UV damage while helping to prevent blemishes Including Niacinamide and sun protection in your routine supports a clearer, protected and more even complexion over time.

NIVEA Face Sunscreens

5. Optional: Exfoliate (Night Routine)

Exfoliating in the evening helps remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and enhance the effectiveness of active ingredients like Niacinamide - promoting a smoother, clearer complexion over time. Try the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Chemical Exfoliator, formulated with 8% of Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid mix, plus Niacinamide to gently exfoliate and reduce blemishes on the skin.. Apply directly on the cleaned face and leave on overnight. It supports skin renewal, refines pores, and helps prevent future breakouts for a visibly clearer complexion.

NIVEA Sun UV Face Specialist Derma Skin Clear SPF 50+

NIVEA Derma Skin Clear

Discover the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear range - a dermatologically tested, vegan-friendly collection formulated with Niacinamide, Pure Sea Salt, Salicylic Acid, and Glycolic Acid. Designed to prevent breakouts, reduce blemishes, and support healthier-looking skin, this range offers effective care for blemish-prone skin.

NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Range

Summary

Niacinamide is a multifunctional skincare ingredient known for its ability to improve skin tone, texture, and hydration while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier. It offers a wide range of benefits, including brightening dark spots, calming redness, refining pores, and anti-ageing. Its gentleness and moisturising properties make it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and blemish-prone skin.

FAQs

What is Niacinamide and how does it benefit my skin?

Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient that helps even out skin tone, reduce redness, and tackle excess pigmentation. It also minimises the appearance of pores, boosts hydration, strengthens the skin's barrier, and combats signs of ageing and dullness, leaving your complexion smoother, more radiant, and healthier.

Can Niacinamide reduce dark spots?

Used at an adequate concentration, Niacinamide may act on melanin distribution in skin cells, helping to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots over time for a more even skin tone. However, if your main concern is dark spots, try our products with Thiamidol, which directly targets the root cause of hyperpigmentation, the production of melanin.

Can you mix Bakuchiol and Niacinamide?

Bakuchiol and Niacinamide can be used together as they complement each other well. Bakuchiol targets signs of ageing, while Niacinamide boosts hydration and calms the skin, making the combination ideal even for sensitive skin.

How does Niacinamide help with ageing skin?

According to some studies, Niacinamide may boost Collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while strengthening the skin’s barrier for a firmer look.

Can I use Niacinamide with other skincare products?

Niacinamide is compatible with most skincare ingredients, including Vitamin C, Retinol, and Salicylic Acid.

Is Niacinamide safe to use every day?

Niacinamide is gentle enough for daily use, making it a great addition to both your morning and evening skincare routine for consistent skin improvement.

How to apply Niacinamide serum?

Apply Niacinamide serum after cleansing and toning. Use a few drops and gently pat it into the skin, allowing it to absorb fully before applying other products or sunscreen.