What is Niacinamide? Best Niacinamide Skincare Products in India
- Kavya Goswami
- Jun 9
- 7 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a powerful skincare ingredient renowned for its versatility and effectiveness. It helps improve the skin's barrier function, reduces inflammation, minimizes pore appearance, evens skin tone, and texture.
Niacinamide is suitable for all skin types and can significantly enhance overall skin health and appearance, making it a valuable addition to any skincare routine.
Whether you're a skincare newbie or a seasoned pro, niacinamide is the secret weapon you didn't know you needed. It's the 'yes' ingredient for every skin type! Niacinamide is your skin's best friend! Let's learn what is Niacinamide, how does Niacinamide works and what are top products with Niacinamide.
Let's Get Real: Niacinamide
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, aka Vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin, and a product of niacin. Your body makes it when you have too much niacin. It's not usually stored in your body. It need to be replenished.
Niacinamide is widely utilized in both dietary supplements and topical skincare formulations due to its diverse beneficial properties. In food supplements, it serves as a source of essential vitamin B3. In skincare, its efficacy in addressing various dermatological concerns is well-documented.
How does Niacinamide work?
1. Strengthening the Skin Barrier:
Niacinamide boosts the production of ceramides, which are essential lipids that form a protective barrier in the skin's outermost layer (stratum corneum).
This strengthened barrier helps:
Retain moisture, preventing dryness and dehydration.
Shield the skin from environmental aggressors like pollutants and irritants.
2. Regulating Sebum Production:
Niacinamide can help balance oil production, making it beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
By controlling sebum, it helps minimize clogged pores and reduce the likelihood of breakouts.
3. Reducing Inflammation:
Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties that calm irritated skin and reduce redness.
This makes it helpful for conditions like:
Acne.
Rosacea.
Eczema.
4. Evening Out Skin Tone:
Niacinamide is a, tyrosinase inhibitor, means it guards the path of tyrosinase and doesn't allow it to penetrate in hence obstructing the production of melanin, inhibits the transfer of melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) to skin cells.
This helps:
Reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Promote a more even and radiant complexion.
5. Antioxidant Properties:
Niacinamide, shows antioxidant-like properties, combats the harmful effects of free radicals, safeguarding skin cells and delaying premature aging. For a truly transformative skincare experience, combine niacinamide with powerhouse antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin A. It can work dynamically with these skincare actives to amplify their individual benefits, resulting in enhanced skin texture, a fortified skin barrier, and a luminous, youthful complexion.
Do you know?
While niacinamide offers numerous skincare benefits, its efficacy is often maximized when formulated alongside complementary active ingredients. Rather than relying solely on a single-ingredient niacinamide product, consider 'cocktail' formulations that combine niacinamide with other actives. These synergistic blends can address multiple skin concerns simultaneously, amplifying the individual benefits of each ingredient and delivering more comprehensive results.
What are the benefits of Niacinamide or Vitamin B3?
Immunity: Niacinamide is beneficial for building keratin, a protein that helps keep your skin firm and healthy.
Minimizes redness: It reduces inflammation, which can alleviate redness associated with conditions like eczema and acne.
Minimizes pore appearance: Whether used alone or in combination with other active ingredients, niacinamide can help reduce pore size, roughness, and enhance the overall appearance of the skin. Studies have shown that a 2-5% concentration improved pore appearance, roughness, and skin unevenness after eight weeks.
Lipid barrier: It encourages the formation of a ceramide barrier, which retains moisture, making it advantageous for all skin types, particularly those with eczema or mature skin.
Treats hyperpigmentation: Research indicates that a 5% concentration of niacinamide can be effective in lightening dark spots. Benefits may begin to appear after four weeks, although they may not continue beyond two months. This effect is likely linked to increased collagen production.
Protects against oxidative stress: Niacinamide aids in building skin cells while shielding them from environmental stresses such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
Treats acne: It may also be helpful for severe acne, particularly inflammatory types like papules and pustules. Over time, users may notice fewer lesions and improved skin texture.
What's the ideal percentage of Niacinamide in skincare products?
The ideal concentration of niacinamide is between 2%-5%. Using a product with a concentration higher than 5% can result in skin purging, inflammation, and damage to the skin barrier. If you are using a product that contains 10% niacinamide, you should exercise caution and monitor how your skin responds.
How to use Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient, and incorporating it into your routine is generally straightforward.
1. Choosing the Right Product:
Niacinamide is available in various forms, including serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners. Serums are often preferred for their higher concentration and targeted delivery.
Consider your skin type and concerns when selecting a product.
2. Patch Testing:
Before applying niacinamide to your entire face, perform a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any adverse reactions. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin.
3. Application Order:
Generally, apply niacinamide after cleansing and toning your skin.
If you're using a niacinamide serum, apply it before heavier creams or moisturizers.
Here's a typical skincare routine order:
Cleanser
Toner (optional)
Niacinamide serum
Moisturizer
Sunscreen (in the morning)
4. Frequency and Concentration:
Niacinamide is generally well-tolerated and can be used once or twice daily.
Start with a lower concentration (2-5%) and gradually increase if needed, depending on your skin's tolerance.
Be cautious with higher concentrations (10% or more), as they may cause irritation in some individuals.
Best Time to Use Niacinamide in Skincare Routine
Niacinamide can be effectively incorporated into both morning and evening skincare routines. For optimal results, consider using niacinamide in combination with other complementary active ingredients, either within a single 'cocktail' product or by layering serums and moisturizers with distinct, synergistic formulations.
AM Skincare Routine:
Cleanse + Tone (optional) + Serum + Moisturize + Sunscreen
PM Skincare Routine:
Cleanse + Tone (optional) + Exfoliate (few days a week) + Serum + Moisturize
Best Skincare Ingredient Combinations with Niacinamide
Vitamin C + Niacinamide: This pairing brightens the skin, evens skin tone, and reduces hyperpigmentation. Provides enhanced protection against free radical damage.
Salicylic Acid + Niacinamide: This pairing is excellent for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid unclogs pores, while niacinamide regulates sebum production and reduces inflammation.
It helps to clear breakouts and minimize pore appearance.
They address different aspects of acne, resulting in a comprehensive approach to blemish control.
Retinol + Niacinamide: Niacinamide helps to mitigate the irritating effects of retinol, allowing for better tolerance of this powerful anti-aging ingredient. This combination addresses signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, while minimizing irritation.
Ceramides + Niacinamide: This combination strengthens the skin barrier, improves hydration, and reduces sensitivity. Both ingredients contribute to a healthy and resilient skin barrier.
Alpha Arbutin + Niacinamide: Both alpha arbutin and niacinamide work to reduce hyperpigmentation, but they do so through different mechanisms. This allows them to work synergistically, providing a more comprehensive approach to tackling dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Alpha arbutin works on the production of melanin, and niacinamide works on the transfer of melanin. By combining these two ingredients, you can achieve a more noticeable brightening effect than by using either ingredient alone.
Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide: The anti-inflammatory properties of both ingredients make them effective in calming irritated skin and reducing redness associated with acne and rosacea. Azelaic acid's antibacterial action complements niacinamide's sebum-regulating effects, helping to prevent breakouts.
Kojic Acid + Niacinamide: Kojic acid inhibits the production of melanin, while niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanin. This dual action provides a more comprehensive approach to tackling hyperpigmentation.
Best Niacinamide Skincare Products to Buy in India
5% Niacinamide + 2% Alpha Arbutin Serum by Deconstruct is an effective Niacinamide serum that offers skin-brightening benefits from both Niacinamide and alpha-arbutin, as they act as tyrosinase inhibitors. This helps reduce hyperpigmentation and promotes a more even skin tone.
5% Niacinamide Face Serum by The Derma Co, is ideal Niacinamide serum is enriched with other beneficial skincare ingredients like Alpha-Arbutin, Betaine, and Zinc PCA, which work together to diminish pigmentation, control sebum production, and minimize the appearance of pores, all while soothing and hydrating your skin.
Rice Water & 5% Niacinamide Serum by Plum, is a highly hydrating and smoothing serum, making it an excellent choice for addressing skin issues such as open pores, dullness, and red or brown marks.
Pore Minimizing Face Serum by The Derma Co, features a potent blend of exfoliants, including BHA, AHA, and PHA, specifically Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Gluconolactone. However, individuals with skin of color should consider avoiding Glycolic Acid altogether, as its small molecules can penetrate deeply, potentially causing hot spots instead of alleviating them. Fortunately, this serum contains it at a lower percentage, which may mitigate significant adverse effects. Additionally, it includes 4% Niacinamide, making it a comprehensive solution for acne, enlarged pores, and pigmentation issues.
Pigmentation & Dark Spots Corrector Serum by Conscious Chemist, is a strong skin brightening option, thanks to its inclusion of Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, and Alpha-Arbutin—all of which are effective tyrosinase inhibitors. It also comprises skin-reviving, soothing, and hydrating ingredients like Allantoin, Rice Water Ferment, Panthenol, and a Peptide Complex, albeit at lower concentrations.
2% Niacinamide by Face Toner Plum is a soothing and hydrating formula that improves skin texture and tightens pores.
Skin Renew Range by The Derma Co, has this moisturizer, designed to repair the skin barrier and hydrate the skin with active ingredients like Niacinamide, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (a Vitamin C derivative), Betaine, Squalane (a skin-identical oil), Ceramides, and Peptides to rejuvenate and enhance your skin’s appearance.
Rice Water & 2% Niacinamide Gel Moisturizer by Plum, is an exceptionally hydrating and smooth moisturizer, making it ideal for oily skin types, even in hot weather. This product provides perfect hydration for your skin.
4% Ceramide Barrier Repair Moisturizer by The Derma Co, is a must-have moisturizer for everyone, especially for individuals with skin of color, as this skin type generally has lower levels of ceramides, which are essential for improving the skin barrier and making it less prone to environmental and hormonal damage. This moisturizer combines effective skincare actives such as ceramides and niacinamide.
Gentle Skin Cleanser by Cetaphil, for those seeking a Niacinamide cleanser, this product is a good option, although the exact percentage of Niacinamide is unknown. It contains moisturizing and rejuvenating ingredients like Niacinamide and Panthenol, making it suitable for normal to dry skin.
2% Niacinamide Oil Skin Cleanser by The Derma Co, this cleanser is a good option to use, if you want a cleanser with single active in it. But it's better to use products with multiple actives as it will help to target multiple skin problems.
All these products are free from alcohol, essential oils and fragrance.
Niacinamide: Your skin's ultimate ally, but only when wielded wisely.
When used at the appropriate percentage for your skin type and combined with ideal products that enhance its overall effectiveness, Niacinamide can be a powerful addition to your skincare routine. Make Niacinamide your go-to product and refer to our comprehensive guide to understand the science behind it and determine the best product for your skin.
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