[ the ingredient series ]

What niacinamide does for your skin

Niacinamide · Vitamin B3 · Nicotinamide

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Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and one of the most easy-going actives on the shelf. In cosmetic terms it calms and evens: it softens the look of redness, helps balance an oily-looking finish, and brightens the look of an uneven tone. It shows up in about half the serums out there because it plays well with almost everything.

What Niacinamide is

Niacinamide is a water-based vitamin B3 active that suits nearly every skin type, from oily to sensitive. Around 4 to 5% is the best-studied range for tone; you'll also see 10%, which most people tolerate well. The number on the label is the whole story here, so flip the bottle before you buy. Below roughly 4% it's mostly there for the marketing.

What Niacinamide is good for

an uneven-looking tone and dark-looking marks left after blemishes
skin that looks shiny or oily by midday
redness-prone skin that wants something gentle
anyone who wants one active that fits almost any routine

How to use it

Works morning or night, so slot it in wherever it's easiest.
Start around 4 to 5% for tone; 10% adds a bit more shine control if your skin can take it.
If your skin runs sensitive, begin lower and build up.
Ignore the old rumour that it clashes with vitamin C. With modern formulas they get along fine.

What it pairs with

Almost everything. Niacinamide is the rare active that doesn't start fights, so it's usually the easiest one to place in a routine, alongside retinol, vitamin C or acids.

Niacinamide for specific concerns

niacinamide for uneven tone

brightens the look of an uneven tone and helps even out the appearance of dark marks

niacinamide for oily skin

helps balance a shiny, oily-looking finish through the day

niacinamide for redness

softens the look of redness on reactive, easily-flushed skin

niacinamide and vitamin C together

they layer fine in modern formulas, no need to keep them apart

Frequently asked questions

What does niacinamide do for skin?

In cosmetic terms, niacinamide calms and evens. It softens the look of redness, helps balance an oily-looking finish, and brightens the look of an uneven tone. It's a gentle, well-tolerated vitamin B3 active that suits most skin types.

What percentage of niacinamide should I look for?

Around 4 to 5% is the best-studied range for tone. Some products go to 10%, which most people tolerate well and which adds a little more shine control. Below about 4%, niacinamide is mostly there for the label, so flip the bottle and check the number before you buy.

Can you use niacinamide with vitamin C?

Yes. The old rumour that niacinamide and vitamin C cancel each other out came from very old, unstable formulas. With the modern serums on shelves today they layer together fine.

Is niacinamide good for sensitive skin?

It's one of the gentler actives, which is why it appears in so many routines. If your skin runs very sensitive, start with a lower percentage and build up as it settles.

When will I see a difference from niacinamide?

Look-and-feel changes in oiliness and comfort tend to show over about 2 to 4 weeks, while changes in the look of an uneven tone take longer, roughly 4 to 8 weeks of consistent use.

Baselit is a cosmetic skin-analysis app, not medical advice. This guide describes what ingredients do for the look and feel of skin. It is not a diagnosis or treatment, and it is no substitute for a doctor or dermatologist.