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Niacinamide is a buzzword in skin care, especially with the growing influence of social media and video platforms like TikTok. And for good reason — it has many benefits for the skin.

From helping prevent signs of aging to treating conditions like acne, niacinamide is a versatile ingredient in skin care.

“Almost anybody can use a product with niacinamide in it,” says Rebecca Valudes, lead medical aesthetician, UPMC in Central Pa. “It is generally a nonirritating, hydrating product that also helps with inflammation.”

Learn more about niacinamide, including its benefits and how to use it.

What Is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, or nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 (niacin). It occurs naturally in various foods and, increasingly, in skin care products like niacinamide serum, cream, moisturizer, and more.

“Niacinamide has been around for a long, long time,” Rebecca says. “But I would say in the past couple of years, you just hear it more and more. And some of that comes with social media and so on. For the younger generation, TikTok is kind of the beauty Bible these days.”

How Does Niacinamide Benefit the Skin?

Among its many benefits, niacinamide can help prevent signs of aging, protect the skin barrier, and treat inflammatory skin conditions.

Protecting against aging

The body’s most abundant protein is collagen, which helps keep the skin elastic, firm, and youthful. Our bodies produce less collagen as we age, starting in early adulthood.

Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can also hamper collagen production, leading to signs of aging, like:

• Leathery skin.
• Sagging skin.
• Thin, paper-like skin.
• Wrinkles and fine lines.

However, niacinamide can help stimulate the production of collagen and other key proteins, such as elastin. This can help prevent signs of aging.

Niacinamide also helps repair the skin barrier — the outermost layer of the skin that holds in moisture and protects against environmental toxins. Niacinamide can stimulate the production of ceramides, which are lipid (fat) molecules that form part of the skin barrier.

By helping the skin barrier, niacinamide helps our skin lock in moisture better and keeps it looking more youthful.

“If the skin barrier is intact and the skin is healthier overall, it’s going to receive products better, and it’s going to look healthier and smoother,” Rebecca says.

Niacinamide also protects against free radicals, unstable molecules that damage cells.

Free radicals occur naturally in the body, but they can also come from environmental sources, such as UV light, cigarette smoke, and pollution. Too many free radicals can lead to a condition called oxidative stress, which speeds up the signs of aging and is a risk factor for cancer and other diseases. However, niacinamide has antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize free radicals.

Treating inflammatory skin conditions

Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective against a variety of skin conditions, including:

• Acne.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema).
• Erythema (skin redness).
• Psoriasis.
• Rosacea.

“It is repairing the barrier, reducing inflammation, and hydrating the skin,” Rebecca says.

Reducing hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation refers to spots on the skin that look darker than the surrounding areas. It occurs because of the overproduction of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color.

Niacinamide can help restrict melanin production, helping to treat hyperpigmentation. However, it may take longer than other treatments.

“It’s not a quick fix, but it can help,” Rebecca says.

Reducing yellowing of the skin

Free radicals can cause the skin to yellow. Because niacinamide is an antioxidant, it can help decrease skin yellowing.

Smoothing skin

Niacinamide can reduce the appearance of pores and lead to a smoother complexion.

How Do I Use Niacinamide?

Niacinamide appears in a wide range of skin care products, including:

• Cleansers
• Concealers
• Creams
• Foundations
• Moisturizers
• Serums
• Sunscreens
• Toners

“Different products are recommended for different ages, different skin types, different issues,” Rebecca says. “So, it’s an ingredient that you’re going to see in a lot of different products.”

You should follow the instructions on your particular product for how to use it, Rebecca says. However, in general, you can use niacinamide both in the morning and at night.

The order in which to apply niacinamide also depends on the type of product and the other skin care products you’re using. But the rule of practice is to begin with the thinnest product and end with the thickest.

Consistency is crucial, Rebecca adds. To get the best results, you should use your products daily.

Are There Any Side Effects of Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is gentle on the skin, so there are generally no side effects or contraindications for using it. Rebecca says niacinamide is suitable for all skin types.

“This particular ingredient is good for acne, oily skin, dry skin, rosacea, sensitive skin,” she says. “It really is an ingredient that almost anyone can use.”

Because niacinamide can help soothe the skin, it also pairs well with retinol and exfoliant products, which can irritate the skin.

What Niacinamide Product Is Best for Me?

Niacinamide is available in many different products for many different uses. So, the product that works best for you is the one that treats your individual skin needs.

Because of the varied niacinamide options, meeting with a licensed professional can help you find a product that’s best for you.

“Sometimes it’s overwhelming for people to walk into these stores and try to find the right product with the right ingredient and so on,” Rebecca says. “So, there’s certainly value in your aesthetician or your nurse practitioner being able to recommend the proper products for your skin and skin type.”

Niacinamide is available over the counter and in doctors’ offices. Medical-grade products typically have more powerful active ingredients, Rebecca says.

Overall, Rebecca says that niacinamide is a great active ingredient that can benefit almost anyone. However, she cautions that it typically takes some time to see results.

“It certainly is an ingredient everyone can benefit from that’s very mild, and the benefit also is that you don’t have the risk of any real side effects,” she says. “But you do have to have realistic expectations, and it’s not going to change your skin overnight. But as in anything, if you’re consistent, then you can slowly see some results with your skin.”