Niacinamide serum is certainly a trending skincare product that I have seen everywhere in all the social media platforms. I don’t think that I will ever forget my first niacinamide product.
Okay, I’ll have to take that back. I actually used a product before my skincare journey that actually contained niacinamide, Fenty Skin’s Fat Water Pore Refining Serum. But to be fair, I didn’t really know what half the ingredients were on any of my skincare besides oxybenzone, but you already knew that.
Niacinamide serum benefits
Niacinamide (also referred to as Vitamin B3 or nicotinamide) has been included in a growing number of skincare products and formulations. Certain formulations have been clinically tested and shown improvements in overall skin health.
The following are some potential benefits to including a niacinamide serum to your skincare routine:
- Skin Barrier strengthening
- Oil Control
- Improves Skin Texture
- Treats Hyperpigmentation
- Slowing effects of Skin Aging
- Acne Improvements
You had me at Oil Control
We all know the importance of preserving the skin barrier. We have seen what happens when our skin barrier is irritated and how sensitive it could get if we do things like over-exfoliate.
But as an oily girl, I would have to say that Niacinamide had me at oil control. I’ve always been an oily person and an ingredient that targets excessive oil production could be extremely helpful for summer and for individuals who live in a primarily hot climate (like me).
A study on skin biopsy specimens and facial testing showed significant improvements after four weeks of use.
I will say that in my experience, it did not completely dry out my skin, but as a preventative measure I did ensure that I added hydrating products into my routine.
Skin Aging Powers
I have been really into anti-aging products since I turned 30. I’ve come to the realization that I am getting older and maybe, just maybe I should probably focus on products that will increase my so-called youth for a longer period.
A study showed that individuals that used a moisturizer with this active ingredient on a regular basis saw an improvement with their fine lines and wrinkles.
How much Niacinamide is needed to be effective?
It can be effective in as low as 2% but can be used in doses up to 5% typically. One does need to take into consideration how your skin reacts to the introduction of new products.
For example, I may not be able to tolerate certain higher concentrations, but this makes sense because I do have sensitive skin. It may not affect you as much, or the same.
It is important to do a patch test whenever you test out new skincare or add new ingredients on to your skincare routine. You don’t want to end up in the Emergency Room because your new product felt good at first, but later on, you realized that you were deathly allergic.
Some individuals have found that niacinamide has caused their skin to break out or redden. It just really depends on how your skin reacts to the product.
Product Recommendations
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- Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum My favorite so far. It wasn’t overly drying, not did it cause any breakouts or significant sensitivity even with the higher percentage it has. It is formulated with 10% Niacinamide with a ph of 6.9.
- Fenty Skin Fat Water It is formulated as a toner/ serum. I used it daily for a while without even knowing that it had Niacinamide in it (pre-skincare obsession). This one has a lot of positive reviews. $28.
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% I think this is a good affordable option. It is only $6 at Sephora at the moment and a great easily accessible option. I would say patch test first for this one, I went a little ham at first with a lot of different products without knowing the potential consequences. It is great as a starter though.
Let me know if you’ve tried including Niacinamide in your routine and if you have any recommendations 🙂
