5 Benefits of Niacinamide for Your Skin
Even tone, smooth texture and lit-from-within radiance are all hallmarks of healthy, balanced skin. Far from requiring complex, 10-step skincare routines, one versatile ingredient exists that can target these skin goals simultaneously. Niacinamide, also called vitamin B3, is a water-soluble, gentle yet powerful skincare ingredient often included in brightening, moisturising and anti-aging skincare products such as serums, essences and creams. Don’t underestimate this skincare star – join us as we unpack the extensive benefits of niacinamide (vitamin B3) for all skin types.

5 unique niacinamide skincare benefits
Niacinamide is multifaceted; it has characteristics that allow it to perform several skincare functions at once. It’s known to mitigate oxidative stress, delay the deterioration of cells and exert anti-inflammatory properties.1 In simple terms, this makes it a potent anti-aging, brightening and protective ingredient in skincare. Lancôme's National Skincare Expert Brittany Hanchard shares her thoughts on niacinamide's benefits:
To delve deeper into niacinamide’s benefits for skin, read on.
1https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/8/1315
1. Brightens skin and fades dark spots
Uneven skin tone can refer to blotchiness, red patches or pigmentation – or all of the above. Niacinamide serum’s benefits include its ability to brighten and even skin tone overall while targeting pigmented areas like dark spots and post-blemish marks. Melanin is the substance in skin that gives us each our unique skin colour, and it’s also responsible for marks and unevenness within our complexions. Niacinamide tackles these concerns by inhibiting melanin transfer, which breaks down spots of built-up melanin over time and results in a brighter, more even appearance.2
2https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article-abstract/147/1/20/6635091
2. Targets signs of ageing
Niacinamide’s anti-aging ingredient properties are twofold: it’s a powerful antioxidant, and helps to stimulate collagen production. As an antioxidant, niacinamide can help neutralise potentially damaging elements our skin is exposed to during daily life, like UV rays and pollution. Meanwhile niacinamide helps to increase collagen production in the skin – the element which gives youthful skin its bouncy, elastic quality. When collagen levels are stimulated, you’ll notice a plumper-looking complexion with fine lines and wrinkles visibly diminished.
3. Supports the skin moisture barrier
The skin moisture barrier is the outer layer of the epidermis that works to lock in moisture, prevent trans epidermal water loss (TEWL) and keep skin looking healthy and feeling comfortable. If you’re noticing signs of sensitivity all of a sudden, including redness, bumps or dryness, a disrupted skin moisture barrier could be the cause. Niacinamide benefits skin by going a step further than many ingredients, promoting the production of skin moisture barrier lipids and proteins to deeply support skin moisture barrier health.3
3https://www.velaskincare.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/75d6a644a69123d1158249115e558e2c5888.pdf

4. Layers well with other skincare ingredients
Besides brightening, moisturising and helping to shield your complexion from environmental stressors, one of the benefits of niacinamide is that it slots easily into skincare routine thanks to its compatibility with most other skincare ingredients. Though it is potent, there are no strict “rules” to application to get the most out of it. Here’s how to combine niacinamide with your other favourite skincare ingredients:
- Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: to use this duo to hydrate skin, apply a niacinamide serum to clean, dry skin and follow with hyaluronic acid. Alternatively, reach for a product that combines the two, like our firming and hydrating Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Rich Cream.
- Niacinamide and retinol: niacinamide’s skin-nourishing properties make it an effective ingredient to counterbalance retinol’s potentially drying effects. In the evening, apply retinol to clean, dry skin. Allow to settle into skin, then apply your niacinamide serum. Finish with a rich moisturiser.
- Niacinamide and vitamin C: for the ultimate brightening combination, look to niacinamide and vitamin C. They can be layered in separate serums, or used together in one potent formulation like Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum. Discover our guide on how to use Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum to learn more.
5. Compatible with all skin types
Dry, sensitive, oily or mature – niacinamide can contribute to a healthier-looking complexion for many different skin types. While you may feel cautious about introducing a new ingredient into your routine, niacinamide’s benefits for skin are gentle enough to be suitable even for sensitive complexions. Below, see how niacinamide’s properties relate to each skin type or concern:
- Niacinamide and dry skin: dry skin types can benefit from niacinamide’s ability to support the skin moisture barrier, assisting skin to retain moisture.
- Niacinamide and sensitive skin: niacinamide is gentle enough even for sensitive skin types to enjoy its brightening, moisturising and protective qualities.
- Niacinamide and mature skin: as a powerful antioxidant with collagen-boosting abilities, niacinamide can help mature skin appear firmer, brighter and more even.
- Niacinamide and oily skin: niacinamide can help regulate excess oiliness in oily-prone skin, which can lead to visibly refined pore size and fewer breakouts.
How to use niacinamide in your skincare regimen
If you’re ready to uncover the benefits of niacinamide for yourself, the good news is that you can find it in a diverse array of formulations. Depending on your preferences, you can opt for a niacinamide-enriched serum, day cream or night cream. For a professional clarity treatment fuelled by niacinamide, consider Clarifique Clarifying Serum. One of the primary benefits of niacinamide serum is targeting pigmentation, and this next-generation formula utilises the ingredient to visibly reduce post-blemish marks, dark spots, age spots and more.
If you enjoyed our guide on the benefits of niacinamide, next uncover our tips and tricks to brighten dull skin.