Ingredient glossary
Vitamin B3
On your shelf ✓What Vitamin B3 does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Niacinamide · Also: Nicotinamide
In short: Vitamin B3 delivers brightening and barrier support, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Brightening, barrier support
- Best for
- Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive skin
- Watch out
- Introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is repairing a stressed moisture barrier, Vitamin B3 delivers, and the research properly backs it up. Introduce it gently, and pair it with something soothing if your skin runs sensitive.
— Maya
What it does
- brightening
- barrier support
- anti acne
- anti aging
strong evidenceStrong evidence from multiple clinical studies for improving barrier function, reducing sebum, redness, pores and hyperpigmentation.
On a label: works best above 2%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- oily
- combo
- dry
- sensitive
Approach with care
- very sensitive in high
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive (in high amounts).
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Vitamin B3, answered
Is Vitamin B3 safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Vitamin B3 is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Vitamin B3?
Approach Vitamin B3 with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive (in high amounts). Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Vitamin B3 actually works?
Research tends to show Vitamin B3 starts pulling its weight above 2%. If a brand prints the percentage, that is the number to look for.
Commonly confused with
- Pro-vitamin B5Different vitamins. Niacinamide is B3, a multitasker for tone and oil; panthenol is pro-B5, a soother and hydrator.
Compare Vitamin B3 with
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