Choosing the best niacinamide serums | Everything you should know about niacinamide
At Meaghers, we love all things skin, and are here to help you through your skincare journey. It’s important to look at active ingredients, how they work, and whether they will be beneficial for your skin type. Many people, especially those with oily skin, may want to consider serums that contain niacinamide. This superstar component is a form of vitamin B3 known for its anti-inflammatory properties, treating hyperpigmentation (such as dark spots ), and soothing irritated skin.
In this guide, we’ll delve into why niacinamide benefits the skin and how it works in skincare, including our top picks for niacinamide serums.
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What are the skin benefits of niacinamide?
Finding the right skincare routine is challenging, particularly when there are so many available products and active ingredients to choose from. Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that is crucial in maintaining healthy skin. It is found in the skin, in foods such as meat, fish, green vegetables, and eggs, and in the skincare industry. Once niacinamide is applied, for example, topically with a serum, it is broken down into a vitamin that cells can use in numerous ways.
Let’s take a look at just some of niacinamide’s skin benefits:
- Minimises enlarged pores: niacinamide is often linked to its ability to minimise enlarged pores, particularly for oily or blemish-prone skin.
- Skin lightening: the form of vitamin B3 is also great at lightening hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide works by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes (pigment-containing cells) to the skin’s surface and helping create a more uniform and a radiant skin complexion.
- Adds moisture: combined with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide is a potent ingredient for adding moisture and hydrating the skin. Perfect if you have dry skin, niacinamide also helps boost the hydrating ability of other moisturising ingredients, such as glycerine and sodium hyaluronate.
- Anti-acne: highly effective if you are acne-prone, as niacinamide helps regulate sebum (oil production in the skin). Controlling sebum production helps prevent the clogging of pores, whilst its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce any redness and swelling that’s caused by acne lesions.
Key ingredients to pair with niacinamide
As you can imagine, the main active ingredient to look for in these serums is niacinamide. With the abovementioned benefits, you should look for how much niacinamide is included in the serum. In products that focus on hyperpigmentation and oily skin issues, the niacinamide may be as strong as 10%. Whereas, in others, it may only contain less than 2%.
Paired well, niacinamide has the potential to be both beneficial on its own and complement nicely with other active ingredients:
- Retinol: on its own, retinol usually dries the skin and may irritate on its own. However, when paired with niacinamide, the combination has its advantages, as it helps maintain a good level of hydration. Serums containing retinol and niacinamide are good for treating wrinkles and fine lines as well. Try this Retinol B3 Serum 30ml by La Roche-Posay here.
- Vitamin C: often contains skin brightening properties which are good for dark spots and, when combined with niacinamide, can help reduce hyperpigmentation and promote an increasingly bright complexion. Try this IMAGE ILUMA Intense Facial Illuminator 30ml, containing vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
- Salicylic acid: known for deep cleansing, serums with a combination of salicylic acid and niacinamide can help reduce and treat acne. Try this Vinopure Salicylic Serum 30ml by Caudalie for blemish control.
- Hyaluronic acid: if you suffer from dehydrated or dry skin, hyaluronic acid is a superhero ingredient that will best meet your needs, as it can retain up to 1000 times its weight in water. Niacinamide also helps retain moisture, so when layered together, you can help protect the skin barrier and prevent dryness. Try this Avene Hydrance Boost Hydrating Serum 30ml.
Our top choices for serums containing niacinamide
To help with your skincare journey, you must have the right tools. In this case, a serum that contains the most helpful ingredients and is catered to your skincare goals. If you want to treat hyperpigmentation, combine niacinamide with vitamin C and tranexamic acid. To tackle anti-ageing concerns, such as fine lines and wrinkles, look for serums with niacinamide and retinol.
Here are our top picks for serums with niacinamide:
The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum 30ml
Price: €10.99
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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum 30ml
Price: €40.00
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Avene Hydrance Boost Hydrating Serum 30ml
Price: €32.50
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SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum 30ml
Price: €110.00
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Choosing a niacinamide serum for your skin type
No matter your skin type, the inclusion of niacinamide in a serum is extremely beneficial. It’s important to remember that different skin types will require certain factors to consider:
Oily skin
For oily skin, it is best to look for a lightweight, non-greasy serum that absorbs quickly without leaving a sticky residue. Ingredients like zinc and salicylic acid can help control oil production and prevent breakouts.
The best niacinamide serum for oily skin
Dry skin
Choose a niacinamide serum that includes hydrating components like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides to provide extra moisture. A serum with a slightly thicker, creamier consistency can also help lock in moisture and provide a more nourishing feel.
The best niacinamide serum for dry skin
Dark circles and under-eye bags
Choose a serum specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, ensuring it is gentle and safe for this sensitive area. Brightening ingredients like caffeine, vitamin C, and peptides can help reduce dark circles and under-eye bags.
The best niacinamide serum for dark circles and under-eye bags
Menopausal and ageing skin
For menopausal and ageing skin, look for serums that combine niacinamide with other anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, peptides, and antioxidants to address fine lines and loss of elasticity. Choose a serum with a rich, nourishing formula to combat dryness and support the skin’s barrier.
The best niacinamide serum for menopausal and ageing skin
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Frequently asked questions
What skincare product should you apply after a niacinamide serum?
It is important to adopt your skincare routine to effectively cater in niacinamide, particularly when using in a serum.
When should you apply a niacinamide serum?
Your niacinamide serum can be applied during your morning and evening skincare routines. To get the most out of this star ingredient, it is recommended to use a serum twice a day.
