What does niacinamide do?

What is niacinamide?

Heard of vitamin B3? It’s also called niacin and has two other forms. One of these forms is niacinamide, a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin and has an impressive reputation for its powerful skincare benefits.

So, what does niacinamide do? Aside from assisting in the production of keratin – a protein that helps to maintain skin health – niacinamide can help complexions stay stronger, smoother and brighter and keep mild acne-prone skin in line, especially when paired with other ingredients like retinol. Suitably impressed? We’re only just getting started. Discover the many benefits of niacinamide below.

The benefits of niacinamide for your skin

Niacinamide is known for its ability to provide intense hydration to the skin, but its advantages extend beyond moisturisation. Key benefits of niacinamide include:

· It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
· It’s compatible with most other skincare ingredients, including retinol and vitamin C when applied correctly.
· You can use it every day, both in the morning and the evening.

Specific benefits of niacinamide:

· Reduce appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots that may occur from sun exposure, post-acne marks and ageing.
· Softens fine lines and wrinkles.
· Adds essential moisture to the skin.
· Brightens the complexion.
· Evens skin tone.

Let’s dive headfirst into some specific benefits of niacinamide below.

Helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation

Dark spots can happen to anyone and are described as any patch of darkened skin that may occur from too much UV exposure (sunspots), picking at pimples (post-acne marks) due to ageing (age spots) or hormonal spots post pregnancy. They appear as patches of darkened or discoloured skin which can create an uneven or dull look to the complexion. Niacinamide helps brighten these spots by inhibiting pigmentation. Combine this with its power to improve uneven skin tone, and you’ve got yourself a new favourite brightening skincare ingredient.

Our top product pick to target dark spots and pigmentation concerns is the Bright Reveal Dark Spot Serum, which is formulated with 10% [Niacinamide + Amino-Sulfonic Acid] to visibly reduce -77% of dark spots*, including age spots, sunspots, post-acne marks and hormonal spots post pregnancy. This serum is gentle enough for all skin types, including sensitive skin and can be used in both your morning and nighttime skin care routines.

*Cosmeto-clinical study, 63 women, after 8 weeks.

Minimises appearance of enlarger pores

Niacinamide has the impressive ability to visibly minimise the appearance of enlarged pores. Skin experts believe that this may be related to Niacinamide’s ability to regulate the natural oil that the skin produces, reducing breakouts caused by excess oil, risk of pore clogging and promoting smoother looking skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce the swelling associated with acne and, when applied topically, can also reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Additionally, sun damage can stretch pores, resulting in what some call “orange peel skin”. Regular use of niacinamide for skin has demonstrated the ability to help pores return to their usual size and visibly improve skin’s texture.

Softens fine lines and wrinkles

Niacinamide gets the anti-ageing tick of approval. One of the benefits of niacinamide is that it stimulates your skin cells to make more collagen. As we age, our skin’s ability to replenish collagen naturally decreases – and this is associated with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The addition of niacinamide into your skincare routine has been shown to help with a variety of significant skin appearance improvement effects, including reductions in fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness.¹

¹https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16029679/

Your niacinamide skincare routine

Ready to add niacinamide to your own skincare routine? Discover the L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal skincare range, expertly formulated with niacinamide to visibly reduce all types of dark spots on all skin tones and types, including age spots, sunspots, post-acne marks and hormonal spots post pregnancy.

Is niacinamide good for mild acne-prone skin?

Yes, the inclusion of niacinamide in oily and mild acne-prone skincare routines is often recommended. Since niacinamide helps to balance pores and encourages enlarged pores to return to their natural size, this assists in preventing clogged pores and blemishes.

Is niacinamide good for dry skin?

Yes – niacinamide is beneficial for those with dry skin types. By encouraging the production of ceramides, it helps to keep your skin looking and feeling plump and hydrated. The powerhouse ingredient doesn’t just stop there: it also boosts moisture retention, giving skin a leg up against pollution, allergens and more.

Can you use niacinamide with retinol?

Yes, niacinamide is well-matched with Retinol. In fact, combining niacinamide’s skin-comforting and balancing abilities with retinol’s wrinkle-fighting fervour is said to fast-track impressive skin results. If using these two ingredients in separate serums, apply retinol first to clean, dry skin then layer with niacinamide. We suggest adding this duo to your nighttime skin regime.

Now that you know what niacinamide is and how it works, discover our guide to  how to layer skincare serums with key skincare ingredients, including niacinamide.