What is niacinamide?
Last Updated: 07/07/26
What is niacinamide and what are the benefits of using it?
Niacinamide is one part of the vitamin B3 molecule and naturally occurs in meat, fish and grains. It has many benefits for your skin thanks to its powerful antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Niacinamide works by prompting skin cells to regenerate fresh new cells to improve your visage and it helps regulate sebum production to get blemishes under control.
Key benefits of niacinamide:
- Helps to protect your skin from environmental damage.
- Helps improve hydration.
- Helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and discolouration.
- Helps to minimise the appearance of large pores.
- Helps to calm redness.
- Helps to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Which skin types is niacinamide best suited to?
Niacinamide is suitable for all skin types to use, due to the way its versatile properties that help many skin concerns. What’s even more interesting about niacinamide is the way it interacts well with other skincare ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, AHAs, BHAs and retinol.
Topical niacinamide is commonly formed as a serum, moisturiser or cleanser and its concentration can vary across products, though most formulations are 5% or less.
How often can I use Niacinamide?
You can use your niacinamide skincare products as often as you like, in both your morning and a night-time skincare routine.
Our Top Niacinamide Picks
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Supersize Serum is a no-fuss staple for anyone looking to refine the look of pores, balance excess shine, and support a clearer-looking complexion. The lightweight, water-based formula pairs high-strength niacinamide with 1% zinc to help improve the appearance of skin texture while leaving skin looking smoother and more radiant over time. Ideal for oily or blemish-prone skin, it layers easily after cleansing and before heavier creams, making it a simple, targeted, and reliable morning or evening step when your routine needs something simple, targeted, and reliable.
£9.00
CeraVe’s Foaming Cleanser with Niacinamide is a gentle, everyday option for normal to oily skin types that want a fresh, balanced cleanse without that stripped feeling. The gel-to-foam formula helps remove excess oil, impurities, and makeup while supporting the skin barrier with 3 essential ceramides. Niacinamide helps leave the complexion feeling calm and comfortable, while hyaluronic acid supports hydration, so skin feels clean but not tight. It’s a simple, dermatologist-developed staple that works well as the first step in a clearer-looking, more balanced routine.
£12.50
Shop CeraVe Niacinamide
L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Niacinamide Dark Spot Set is a 2-step routine designed to help uneven tone look clearer, brighter and more balanced. The serum pairs 10% niacinamide with amino-sulfonic acid to improve the look of clarity, tone and texture, helping skin appear fresher over time. Follow with the lightweight UV Fluid SPF50+, which adds broad-spectrum protection in a non-greasy finish that sits comfortably under makeup. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, it’s a smart option if you want niacinamide benefits with the daily SPF step that helps protect against future dark spots.
Recommended Retail Price: £46.99Current price: £23.50
Shop L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Collection
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