Niacinamide is one of the most profoundly powerful skincare ingredients on the market today. Research has found that from healing acne1, to reducing pore size2, to filling in fine lines3, there aren't many skin problems niacinamide can't handle. Today, more and more people are being drawn to this versatile skin solution. Regardless of your skin type - whether oily, dry, or combination - niacinamide has something to offer. In this article, we'll look at niacinamide more closely and examine why this one simple ingredient is a multitasking master and the perfect 'quarterback' for your skincare lineup.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is an abundant vitamin naturally found in meat, fish, eggs, and greens.4 And for most of its history, niacinamide was only thought to be useful when eaten as part of our daily diet. However, in the mid-20th century, researchers studying skin diseases found that applying niacinamide directly to the skin caused impressive healing benefits.5 Thus, the use of niacinamide as a cosmetic ingredient was born, and within years of its discovery, niacinamide was being taken seriously as a major skincare advancement. In more recent years, scientists have found that when applied to the skin, niacinamide not only helps to reduce inflammation and redness but also improves the skin's barrier function, helping the skin better retain moisture and avoid environmental damage.6

Why We Call Niacinamide "The Most Versatile Skincare Ingredient"

As I've alluded to earlier in this article, there's almost no skin concern niacinamide can't address. However, listed below are some of the most well-researched benefits of niacinamide that you can expect with consistent use:

• Regulating Oil Production: One of the standout benefits of niacinamide is its ability to regulate oil production. Sebum, the natural oil produced by our skin, helps maintain skin health by keeping skin lubricated and protected. However, many people, particularly people with oily skin types, overproduce sebum, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.7 Niacinamide works as a middleman by affecting the molecular pathways involved in lipid metabolism, which in turn helps regulate the amount of oil your skin produces.8

• Healing and Preventing Breakouts: Related to controlling oil production, niacinamide has also been found to help heal breakouts, unclog pores, and prevent new breakouts from forming.1 As an anti-inflammatory vitamin, niacinamide can cool angry, inflamed breakouts. What's more, recent research also shows niacinamide has mild antibacterial properties that help to destroy acne-causing bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes) on the skin without stripping away moisture.9

• Reducing Inflammation: Niacinamide targets skin's underlying inflammation by reducing the production of pesky molecules known as cytokines.10 Cytokines are signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation.11 By eradicating cytokines, niacinamide helps to stop vicious, inflammatory cycles in their tracks for smoother, brighter skin.

• Reducing Hyperpigmentation and Scarring: Niacinamide also fades post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and acne scars. By inhibiting the transfer of melanin to the skin cells, niacinamide lightens dark spots left behind by acne for a more even, smooth complexion.12

• Enhancement of Skin Barrier Function: One of the earliest discovered benefits of niacinamide is its ability to boost the production of ceramides and other lipids that strengthen the skin barrier.13 By reinforcing this barrier, niacinamide helps protect your skin from any irritants, debris, or pathogens you might encounter.

• Reducing Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Niacinamide is a popular anti-aging ingredient, and for good reason. Studies show that by stimulating collagen production, niacinamide improves skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.3 What's more, niacinamide also promotes healthy cell turnover and renewal, so your complexion continues to look youthful and refreshed.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, I hope it has given you a glimpse into just how versatile and beneficial niacinamide can be for your skin. From working on the skin's surface to fight acne-causing bacteria to managing collagen deep within the skin, niacinamide offers an unparalleled holistic approach to skincare. So, whether you have a particular skin goal in mind or simply want to improve your skin's overall health, niacinamide might be the skincare solution you've been searching for.

Why We Chose Niacinamide to Be The Star Ingredient in Our Best-Selling Niacinamide Activator Serum

When creating our product line, we at My Derma Dream wanted to be sure we selected ingredients that were not only of the highest quality, but that also got the most results for your skin. And through our research, we found that few ingredients offer as many benefits to your skin's hydration and texture as niacinamide. Because of this, we decided to include niacinamide as the star component of our best-selling Niacinamide Activator Serum.

Our super-charged Niacinamide Activator Serum is a daily-use skin serum designed to hydrate, tone, and firm your skin using high-quality, research-backed ingredients. Alongside niacinamide, our Niacinamide Activator Serum also features red ginseng extract. This powerful herbal extract works synergistically alongside niacinamide to help boost circulation14, reduce inflammation15, fill in fine lines16, and more. Whether you choose to use this serum in your daily skincare, or choose to enhance the serum's skin-toning effects with an at-home spa device, such as our MicroScultTM, the ingredients we've blended in our Niacinamide Serum work in harmony to tackle whatever skincare goals you've set for yourself. For more information, or to treat yourself to healthier, younger-looking skin, check out our Niacinamide Activator Serum here.

Does Niacinamide Have Any Side Effects I Should Know About?

Like the other ingredients in our Niacinamide Activator Serum, niacinamide is known to be a gentle, skin-safe ingredient that generally pairs well with dry, oily, and combination skin types. Although, as is the case with any skincare ingredient, certain people may be more sensitive to niacinamide than others. In rare cases, individuals with very sensitive skin may experience mild redness, itching, or a burning sensation.4 If niacinamide is a new product for you, I would suggest performing a patch test to make sure your skin and niacinamide are compatible. However, on the whole, niacinamide is a skin-safe ingredient that will fit beautifully into almost any skincare routine.

FAQ's: What's Left to Know About Niacinamide?

Q: Who can use niacinamide?

A: Because niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory,10 it's typically very gentle, even on sensitive skin. Its ability to balance oil production is especially helpful for oily and combination skin types, while its hydrating properties soothe dry and sensitive skin. Even if you don't have a specific skin concern, such as acne or dark spots, niacinamide supports overall skin health, making it a fitting addition to anyone's skin care regimen.

Q: How many times a day can I use niacinamide?

A: Like other ingredients in the Niacinamide Activator Serum, I recommend using niacinamide no more than three times a day. Firstly, niacinamide is best used in the morning and evening as a daily skincare. Using niacinamide every day will help you gain its cumulative benefits. Secondly, niacinamide can be used within an activator serum for an at-home spa device, such as My Derma Dream's MicroscultTM. Using niacinamide any more than three times a day could over-hydrate the skin, clog your pores, and work against your skincare goals.

Q: How long do the effects of niacinamide last?

A: Like most topical skincare products, within the first several uses you should start to notice small, visible changes in your skin. Generally, however, it takes about four weeks of daily use to notice more significant changes to your skin's quality, like a reduction in pore size.4 Longevity is also important if you want powerful results; if you stop using niacinamide, the benefits may gradually diminish over time. Therefore, I recommend incorporating niacinamide into your daily skincare routine to help maintain its positive effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, niacinamide is a skincare ingredient I would recommend to almost anyone. From reducing inflammation, regulating oil production, and minimizing the appearance of pores, to improving skin elasticity, evening out skin tone, and combating signs of aging, niacinamide truly does it all. So, if you find yourself looking for an all-around skincare ingredient that can protect, hydrate, and heal, I would make sure niacinamide is first on the list.

References

1. Study where niacinamide gel was found to reduce acne lesions by 43.21% within 12 weeks of treatment: https://gulhanemedj.org/articles/doi/gulhane.22956.
2. Practical Dermatology article that cites a study (Draelos et al.) stating a 2% niacinamide gel caused reduced sebum activity and pore size: https://practicaldermatology.com/topics/aesthetics-cosmeceuticals/niacinamide-a-multi-functional-cosmeceutical-ingredient/23720/#:~:text=A%20unique%20benefit%20of%20topical,study%20group%20over%20four%20weeks.
3. Study which found topical niacinamide helped reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increase skin elasticity: https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/citation/2005/07001/niacinamide__a_b_vitamin_that_improves_aging.12.aspx.
4. Healthline article discussing the basic science of niacinamide: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/niacinamide#topical-vs.-dietary.
5. Article which mentions the discovery of niacinamide: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38051244/.
6. Study which found niacinamide formulas improve the skin barrier function and decrease inflammatory activity: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378517312010502?via%3Dihub.
7. Very Well Health article discussing sebum and how it can contribute to acne: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-sebum-1069375#:~:text=The%20sebaceous%20glands%20that%20make,chronic%20itchiness%20and%20skin%20irritation.
8. Study which discusses niacinamide managing signaling molecules that influence lipid metabolism, thereby helping to regulate skin's oil production: https://karger.com/spp/article-abstract/27/6/311/295788/Niacinamide-Mechanisms-of-Action-and-Its-Topical?redirectedFrom=fulltext.
9. Study which states niacinamide has antimicrobial properties: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/4/425#:~:text=Niacinamide%20was%20shown%20to%20possess,mainly%20on%20its%20antibacterial%20activity.
10. Study that found nicotinamide (water-soluble form of niacinamide) reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in human blood: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1808598/.
11. Cleveland Clinic article on the basic facts surrounding cytokines: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24585-cytokines.
12. Study showing that niacinamide reduces hyperpigmented spots by inhibiting melanosome transfer: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.0906-6705.2005.00309.x.
13. Study that found water-soluble niacinamide increased the production of ceramides and other skin barrier lipids: https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article-abstract/143/3/524/6691624?redirectedFrom=fulltext.
14. Study discussing how significantly improved skin temperature in individuals with cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet, indicating enhanced blood circulation:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874114006825?via%3Dihub.
15. Study which showed red ginseng reduced inflammatory response and cytokine secretion in rats: https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X19500812.
16. Study which found red ginseng extract increased type I procollagen gene and protein expression and improved facial wrinkles: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2008.1390.