Ingredient guide
Niacinamide
A form of vitamin B3 used for a smoother, more even-looking skin tone.
On ingredient lists: Nicotinamide, Vitamin B3
In: Giga White Creamy Facewash, Hydro Med Moisturizing Lotion with SPF40
What Is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. It dissolves in water, has no smell and is one of the most widely used ingredients in modern skincare.
You will find it in face washes, creams, lotions and serums, often next to moisturising ingredients such as glycerin.
What It Does in Skin and Hair Care
In skincare, niacinamide is used to help skin look smoother and its tone look more even. It suits most skin types, oily and dry, which is why it turns up in so many different products.
In a face wash it is part of a daily cleansing routine. In a lotion or cream that stays on the skin, it is part of your moisturising step.
How to Use Products With It
- Use niacinamide products once or twice a day, as part of your normal routine.
- It works well with moisturisers and sunscreen, so you do not need a special order of steps.
- Give any routine a few weeks of daily use before judging how your skin looks.
Tips and Cautions
- Some people feel a little warmth or redness the first few times. Start once a day if your skin is sensitive.
- Patch test first: put a little on the inside of your arm for a day or two before using it on your face or body.
- If your skin stays red, itchy or sore, stop using the product and see a doctor.
Questions
- Is niacinamide the same as vitamin B3?
- Niacinamide is one form of vitamin B3. On ingredient lists it is usually written as Niacinamide.
- Can oily skin use niacinamide?
- Yes. Niacinamide suits oily skin as well as dry skin, which is why it appears in both face washes and moisturisers.
- Can I use niacinamide with other products?
- Yes, it fits easily into a routine with a cleanser, a moisturiser and a sunscreen. Patch test when you add something new.
This page describes how niacinamide is used in cosmetics. It is not medical advice. For a skin or scalp problem that is painful, spreading or does not settle, please see a doctor.
