Niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory and can help calm breakouts. It also regulates sebum production and is a great ingredient for minimizing blackheads.

It’s been shown to visibly reduce the appearance of pores, refine skin texture, and even fade dark spots–three popular skincare concerns for all skin types and tones. But if you want to maximize the benefits, it takes more than just vitamin B3.

1. Start with a Concentration

Niacinamide is an effective ingredient that helps strengthen the complexion’s natural skin barrier, which helps keep moisture in and irritants out. When used properly, it minimizes signs of aging, reduces inflammation and redness, treats hyperpigmentation, and keeps pores clear from excess oil. It also works as an excellent alternative to retinol, which can cause irritation and dryness.

When you’re ready to add niacinamide to your skincare routine, it’s best to start with a low concentration and gradually increase the amount that you use. This allows your skin to acclimate to the ingredients and minimizes the risk of any irritation or side effects. It’s also important to remember that niacinamide can increase your sensitivity to UV rays, so it’s essential to apply sunscreen daily to protect your skin from sun damage.

For those with sensitive skin, niacinamide is generally well-tolerated and won’t irritate. However, it’s still important to perform a patch test and observe your skin’s reaction before incorporating this powerful ingredient into your routine. A patch test involves applying a small amount of the product to your wrist and waiting for a few days to see if you have any adverse reactions, like burning or itching.

Niacinamide has been shown to prevent the degradation of lipids and proteins in the skin barrier, which is one of the main processes that leads to blemishes. This is because it boosts the production of antimicrobial peptides, which help fight infections and keep your microbiome in balance. It also inhibits lipid peroxidation and helps control the production of excess sebum, which can contribute to oily skin.

For those who do have sensitive skin, it’s recommended that you apply a serum that contains niacinamide every day. A 5% concentration is typically considered safe and will help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, calm inflammation, reduce skin discoloration and brightness, and smooth skin’s texture. For best results, apply the niacinamide serum after cleansing and toning. Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in the benefits and prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated. Niacinamide can play well with other active ingredients, like bakuchiol and vitamin C, and is effective when used in combination with an SPF moisturizer.

2. Be Patient

Niacinamide’s benefits are vast, but incorporating it into your routine may take time before you see results. This ingredient is well-tolerated and can be used daily, but the best results will occur when it’s paired with other active ingredients. This is why experts recommend layering it with other skin-care superstars in your routine, like retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).

For example, if you’re dealing with excess oiliness, niacinamide can help to mattify the skin without over-saturating it with moisture, as long as it is applied in the right concentration. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps soothe blemishes and prevent their onset. It’s also been shown to boost the synthesis of the key components of the skin barrier—ceramides, free fatty acids and cholesterol—and increase the expression of proteins in the corneocytes, which make up the outermost skin layer.

It can also protect against the oxidative stress that causes the breakdown of the lipid barrier. The result is a healthier skin that is less prone to external aggressors like pollution, harsh cleansers and UV rays.

Aside from its barrier-boosting capabilities, it can also help fade dark spots and uneven skin tone. Studies show that it reduces pigmentation by inhibiting the production of lipofuscin, a yellow waste product in your cells. It’s also been proven to strengthen the collagen and fibroblasts, which are critical to the structural integrity of the skin.

In fact, niacinamide has even been shown to improve the overall health of your skin by increasing the proportion of primary keratinocyte stem cells in the epidermis. This, in turn, helps promote healthy skin cells that can replace damaged ones, which slows the signs of aging and keeps your complexion plump and radiant.

Niacinamide can even be used to treat acne. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe blemishes and reduce sebum production, which can help prevent excess oiliness and clogged pores that lead to breakouts. It’s also been found to improve the function of the skin barrier by preventing lipid peroxidation and rebalancing sebum levels.

It’s also worth noting that niacinamide can lighten the appearance of hyperpigmentation when used in conjunction with brightening ingredients, such as kojic acid (a byproduct of fermented rice) and azelaic acid (a naturally occurring compound). However, the nutrient has only modest pigment-reducing effects on its own.

3. Combine with Other Ingredients

Niacinamide sounds like a beauty brand’s chemistry-lab invention, but this super hero ingredient is actually just vitamin B3. This multitasking molecule helps to improve all kinds of skin concerns, from acne and hyperpigmentation to signs of aging. But the key to maximizing its benefits is pairing it with other hero ingredients.

A good place to start is with a product that contains vitamin C. The combination enhances each other’s antioxidant properties and is a powerful anti-aging duo. Vitamin C also promotes the production of ceramides, which are lipids that help keep the skin barrier intact. In fact, the skin barrier is what keeps moisture in and foreign invaders, like bacteria and free radicals, out. If it’s compromised, that can lead to dryness, flaking and more serious conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Another hydrating ingredient that pairs well with niacinamide is hyaluronic acid, which helps attract and retain water. That means it’s able to hydrate the skin from the inside out, plumping and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

It can also be used to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, thanks to its ability to regulate oil and calm inflammation. And it’s a great anti-aging ingredient for people with sensitive skin, as it can support the use of potentially irritating exfoliants such as retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) while minimizing any redness or irritation that may occur.

Finally, niacinamide can help prevent the formation of melanin pigment in the skin, which can cause brown spots, and it can also help diminish the appearance of age spots and discoloration caused by sun damage. It’s also a great addition to any anti-aging routine, since it can help slow the breakdown of collagen and support collagen production, which leads to a more youthful appearance.

So if you’re ready to give this mighty ingredient a go, make sure to patch test it first, as it can be irritative for some. Once you’ve found a formula that your skin can tolerate, try adding it to your morning and evening routines. Just be sure to add a broad-spectrum sunscreen, too, as sun damage is one of the major culprits for visible aging.

4. Apply Daily

Niacinamide is a safe, non-irritating skincare ingredient that can be used morning and night in your skin care routine and layered with other active ingredients. It’s also a great addition to sunscreen, as it is known to reduce oil production and brighten your complexion. But before adding it to your daytime skin care regimen, make sure you do a patch test as it can cause mild irritation in some people.

Adding niacinamide to your daily routine can give you smoother, brighter skin with visibly reduced pores and fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps even out hyperpigmentation and soothes irritated skin, which is perfect for those with sensitive skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties help calm inflammation and redness, making it a great treatment for acne and other skin conditions like psoriasis.

Because it is so beneficial, many dermatologists recommend incorporating it into your daily skin-care routine as part of your regular cleansing and exfoliating steps. It works best if it is paired with other active ingredients that target other skin concerns, such as vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide is also compatible with most cleansers, serums, and moisturizers. But you should avoid it around your eyes if you want to prevent irritation and puffiness.

When you apply it to the skin, niacinamide will repair and strengthen your skin barrier, which can improve the appearance of your pores, wrinkles, discoloration, and uneven skin tone, while simultaneously reducing acne and preventing premature aging. It can also help improve your skin hydration levels, as it is known to decrease trans-epidermal water loss and prevent dehydration and flakiness.

The results of using niacinamide can be seen after a few weeks of twice-daily use, depending on your skin type and the concentration of your niacinamide product. But don’t expect poreless skin, as that isn’t possible with any skincare product (your skin needs those pores for vital functions). Instead, look for skin that looks healthier and more radiant.

While it may be tempting to add niacinamide products to your collection as soon as you hear about them, it’s always a good idea to start off with lower concentrations and work your way up. Doing so will ensure that you don’t have an allergic reaction to the treatment and can reap all of its benefits without experiencing any side effects. Plus, this way, you can always increase your dose or switch to a different formula if you’re not seeing any positive results.