On a mission to cut through the noise of the industry and deliver simple yet effective skincare, The Inkey List offers powerful products that try to keep ingredient lists to a minimum. Choose formulas – like serums and moisturisers – over cleansers, as they are left on the skin to be absorbed rather than quickly washed away. Much like cells in your body use B3 to improve their functions, the skin utilizes it to optimize various processes, such as to repair damaged DNA, regenerate cellular energy, and reduce the effects of UV rays from the sun,” explains Dr. Everyone loves a skincare multitasker—an ingredient that makes others perform better and cuts down on serum slathering time (without sacrificing that sought-after glow). This might happen when you apply around sensitive areas, like your eyes, but, again, your skin should build up a tolerance to using niacinamide over time.

With a ten per cent concentration of niacinamide, this serum packs a real punch at the fraction of the cost of its competitors. Touted as the ‘must-have’ ingredient for uneven skin tone, wrinkles and fine lines, niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, has been popping up in serums and moisturisers as a fix-all solution to common skincare complaints. This powerhouse ingredient soothes the skin barrier, decreases overall irritation for a slew of skin issues, helps enhance skin’s overall moisture, reduces oiliness, and promotes more even skin tones,” she explains.What the reviews say: “This has helped strengthen my skin barrier, and I love pairing this with my prescription tretinoin. That said, “people with allergic tendencies may experience a flushing reaction due to histamine release. That's why you'll spot a cohort of natural ingredients within each blend, extracted using state-of-the-art technologies in the brand's London laboratory.

In other words, if you want to use it for skin barrier-strengthening reasons, look for a product that also contains ceramides. Overall, niacinamide can help build proteins in the skin and lock in moisture to prevent environmental damage.The winter months are not kind to our skin, but this serum perked up our dull complexion after just one use, which is rarity with any skincare product. Topical niacinamide may be used as a component of a multi-step acne regimen,” Stephanie Trovato, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. Niacinamide is great in and of itself, of course, but the nice thing about this ingredient is that it plays well in the sandbox with pretty much all other ingredients. The OG of niacinamide serums, you could argue that The Ordinary made this relatively unheard of ingredient, an in-demand elixir for anyone looking to overhaul their complexion. We later increased our use, but quickly cut it down again after experiencing irritation and a small break out.

This vitamin’s antioxidant properties may help protect your skin and aid its recovery from damage due to factors like aging, sun and stress. The ingredient can help reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation, smooth your overall skin texture, and brighten your skin.

When applied directly to the skin, niacinamide has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help ease redness from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions. Both niacinamide and vitamin C are used to address hyperpigmentation and are usually well-tolerated by many skin types, though vitamin C has been known to cause mild irritation.

Niacinamide can concurrently rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. This toner is formulated with a stable form of vitamin C, which works in conjunction with niacinamide to help reduce hyperpigmentation by protecting the skin from free radicals and blocking the production of melanin or pigment,” explains Gonalez. The endlessly glowing reviews are mostly down to its high niacinamide percentage which, combined with zinc, makes quick work of blemishes and hyperpigmentation.Our tester was in the middle of a monster breakout when she first tried it and, after a week of patting it into damp skin twice a day before moisturising, it soothed the worst of the redness and didn’t irritate her usually sensitive skin, despite the high percentage of actives. If you’re not used to high percentages of niacinamide, we suggest sticking to already problematic or oily areas where it can do its best work.