Read Full Article Here15 Do-It-All Niacinamide Serums That Dermatologists Love
They soothe. They hydrate. They fight fine lines and wrinkles.
When compiling a list of the most effective skincare ingredients, there’s no shortage of major players that are worthy of a spot. You’ve got the gold standard, retinol, which can battle fine lines, uneven skin tone, and even acne. Then there’s vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that shields skin from environmental damage and has some age-reversing powers of its own. And who could possibly forget hyaluronic acid, the hydration hero that can hold onto 1,000 times its weight in water?
But there’s another, possibly lesser-known, ingredient that’s every bit as deserving of a place in your skincare routine: niacinamde. “Niacinamide is the physiologically active form of vitamin B3 and its benefits are quite broad,” explains dermatologist Melody Maarouf, MD, of U.S. Dermatology Partners in Phoenix, AZ. “I typically recommend the topical form of this ingredient for three main skin concerns, including anti-aging, uneven skin tone, and oiliness and large pores.”
Check out some of the best niacinamide serums
BEST FOR DARK SPOTS
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot SerumBEST FOR DULLNESS
La Roche-Posay Niacinamide 10 SerumBEST FOR PLUMPING
Bliss Glow & Hydrate Day SerumBEST FOR STRESS-INDUCED AGING
Dr Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive Superfoods Stress Rescue Super SerumBEST FOR UNEVEN SKIN TONE
PillowtalkDerm Major Fade Hyper SerumBEST FOR ANTI-AGING
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3FASTEST ACTING FORMULA
ISDIN ISDINCEUTICS Melaclear AdvancedBEST BOOSTER
Paula’s Choice BOOST 10% Niacinamide BoosterBEST FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
EltaMD PM Therapy Facial MoisturizerBEST FOR VISIBLE PORES
Dr. Barbara Sturm The Better B Niacinamide SerumYou’ll find niacinamide in many different formulas, including daytime moisturizers, thick creams, and their most popular preparation: the serum. These products tend to be lightweight and non-irritating, making them perfect for daily use, which is vitally important when considering incorporating niacinamide into your skincare routine. “Niacinamide has reversible skin effects—when patients stop using it, they can expect to return to baseline,” says Dr. Maarouf. “So when choosing to use this ingredient, you should plan on sticking with it for the long haul so you don’t lose any progress made.”
To help you find the best niacinamide serum for your unique skin needs, we polled Dr. Maarouf and other top dermatologists, who offered their favorite picks for every complexion type and problem. Get your credit cards ready!
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3, and is part of the vitamin B complex, explains Dr. Camp. B3 is an exogenous vitamin, which means it’s not naturally produced by our bodies and, instead, one that we get solely through diet: “We get it by eating meat, fish, eggs, and legumes,” says Dr. Maarouf. “It plays a large role in DNA synthesis and repair and, as a result, its benefits are quite broad.” Niacinamide is generally well-tolerated by even the most sensitive skin types, which is why it’s found in many different skin preparations.
What are the benefits of niacinamide?
When it comes to skincare, there’s seemingly nothing niacinamide can’t do:
- It prevents collagen degradation. Niacinamide prevents a process known as glycation, says Dr. Maarouf. This occurs when a sugar molecule attaches itself to collagen and elastin—two proteins that keep skin firm and taut. When that happens, skin becomes saggy and less resilient, so throwing a wrench in that process is a good thing when it comes to the youthfulness of our complexion.
- It evens skin tone and fights hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide prevents pigment from being transferred to the upper layers of skin where it becomes visible to the naked eye, says Dr. Maarouf. It also minimizes the appearance of pores and redness, leaving your skin as a smooth, even canvas.
- It regulates oil production. If you’re struggling with overactive oil glands, niacinamide can help by decreasing its excretion, says Dr. Maarouf. But don’t worry if your skin tends to be drier—it won’t cause dehydration.
- It helps to repair skin’s moisture barrier. “By improving the skin barrier, niacinamide reduces water loss in the skin and increases moisture retention, leaving skin smoother looking and more hydrated,” says Dr. Farhang.
How do you pick the best niacinamide serum?
Because niacinamide is water-soluble, looking for it in a serum preparation is probably your best bet, says Dr. Camp. It’s also a good idea to keep your eyes on the percentage of niacinamide in a formula, insists Dr. Maarouf. “Anything higher than 5% may be too aggressive for someone with very sensitive skin and a formula that’s less than 3% has not been shown to produce statistically significant improvements when compared to a control,” she says. So, 3% – 5% is likely a sweet spot for most people.
And because niacinamide generally plays well with other actives and has few side effects, Dr. Farhang loves to see it paired with other well-studied ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
How do you use a niacinamide serum?
In general, products should be applied from thinnest viscosity to thickets, says Dr. Farhang—so any serum, niacinamide included, should likely be slathered on immediately after cleansing and before any thicker moisturizers or sunscreens.
In terms of how often you should be using your niacinamide, its generally well-tolerated when used twice daily, says Dr. Camp. Again, just make sure to use it in conjunction with sunscreen, especially if hyperpigmentation is what you’re looking to tackle.
How we chose the best niacinamide serums
Women’s Health editors, including beauty director Brian Underwood, researched and vetted the best niacinamide serums based upon recommendations from top dermatologists. Once the list was compiled, we scanned hundreds of tester reviews and ratings to narrow it down to the top 15 picks for a variety of skin types and concerns.
