Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the few actives that's genuinely easy: it does several useful things and conflicts with almost nothing.
What it does
- Regulates oil and can reduce the look of enlarged pores
- Strengthens the skin barrier, improving hydration and resilience
- Calms redness and irritation
- Helps fade post-acne marks over time
Who it's for
Pretty much everyone, but it's especially useful for oily, acne-prone, or redness-prone skin. It's also a good first active for sensitive skin because it rarely irritates.
How to use it
Morning or night, before heavier creams. It layers happily with most actives — including vitamin C, despite the persistent myth that the two cancel out. (Modern formulations handle this fine.)
Want to see which products in our catalogue contain it? Browse niacinamide products, or read how it fits into routines for acne and redness.