Ingredient · Morning or night
Niacinamide
On the label as: vitamin B3
Calms oil and redness, evens tone, strengthens the barrier.
Niacinamide is vitamin B3. It settles oil, calms redness, evens tone and strengthens the skin barrier, and it rarely irritates.
Higher is not better: 4% to 5% is where most of the evidence sits, and 10% suits oily skin. Above that, some people get redness.
Who it suits
Oily skin, open pores, redness and marks; gentle enough for most skin, including sensitive.
How to use it
- Morning, night or both, after cleansing.
- Layers under any moisturiser and sunscreen.
- Give it eight weeks for oil and twelve for marks.
What to pair it with
Niacinamide + Retinol
Work well together
Niacinamide calms the dryness retinol can cause. Layer them, or use a product with both.
Niacinamide + BHA
Work well together
A strong pair for oily skin and blackheads.
Niacinamide + Azelaic acid
Work well together
Both calm redness and marks. A gentle, effective pair.
Everything else pairs fine with niacinamide: apply the thinnest product first.
