4 Niacinamide Benefits Beyond Skin Brightening

If there’s one ingredient that has captured the hearts of beauty lovers everywhere, it’s niacinamide. Now a staple in many skincare products, it’s mainly known for its ability to fade dark spots and even out the skin tone. But did you know that niacinamide benefits go beyond brightening? This hardworking ingredient very gently does it all.

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3. In skin care, it’s an all-purpose ingredient found in cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and serums – basically everywhere because it penetrates the skin easily. If you’re planning to add niacinamide to your daily skincare routine, you’re in luck! It’s tolerable to most skin types, which means it doesn’t irritate as much as other ingredients. 

Niacinamide delivers multiple benefits to the skin. More than just an effective and gentle brightener, it can also address acne, enlarged pores, photoaging, and more thanks to the following functions.

Niacinamide is an excellent collaborator – that is, you can use it in tandem with other ingredients to soothe irritation, calm redness, and reduce itching. For example, it’s often paired with salicylic acid to deliver synergistic effects, such as exfoliation from the former and increased hydration from the latter. It can also make retinol, which can sometimes be irritating, easier to use.

Premature skin aging from excessive sun exposure can manifest as fine lines, roughness, hyperpigmentation, sallowness, and lack of elasticity. Niacinamide, which is a powerful antioxidant, addresses these effects, improving firmness, texture, and skin tone when applied topically. According to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, it does these by boosting dermal collagen and protein production – functions that can deteriorate with frequent UV exposure or age.

Using niacinamide benefits acne-prone skin because the ingredient can control sebum production, which is usually the main culprit behind frequent breakouts. A clinical trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy found that four weeks of applying 2% niacinamide on the skin decreased sebum levels. This reduces the risk of clogged pores, which makes them look more pronounced, and controls breakouts.

If you want glass skin or mochi skin, add this hydrating ingredient to your routine. It helps prevent transepidermal water loss, which is when water passively evaporates from the skin. The result? Plump and glowing skin. But beyond aesthetics, this function also strengthens the skin barrier, which can weaken with dehydration. If you have sensitive, flaky skin that is prone to irritation, talk to your doctor about using niacinamide alongside your usual skincare products.

The best part? Using niacinamide is not limited to the face. You can apply it on your underarms as part of a daily regimen to help keep them smooth and even-toned. A deodorant that doubles as skin care should do the trick. These products combine the power of niacinamide with other active ingredients to achieve specific underarm concerns.

• Dove Radiant + Care 3% Niacinamide + 10x Collagen Deep Renew 40ml Dry Serum – Nourishes underarm skin and delivers intense damage renewal.

• Dove Radiant + Care 3% Niacinamide + 10x Omega 6 Pore Smoothener 40ml Dry Serum – Evens out the pores and addresses chicken skin, which can result from clogged hair follicles.

• Dove Radiant + Care 3% Niacinamide + 10x Vitamin C&E Dark Marks Reducer 40ml Dry Serum– Fades dark marks from shaving and plucking.

Your face is not the only area that can enjoy niacinamide benefits. Let the rest of your skin reap the rewards of using this powerhouse ingredient by choosing the right products, of course, with the guidance of a dermatologist.