One benefit of niacinamide is how versatile it is as a skin-care ingredient.
“When used topically, niacinamide can improve skin hydration by preventing evaporation of moisture from the skin into the environment. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, so it’s great for calming irritated skin, but also good for people with sensitive skin,” says Nazarian.
In one study, nicotinamide (another name for niacinamide) was found to be a better skin hydrator than petrolatum jelly.
Meanwhile, a research review suggested that niacinamide may improve skin barrier function (the skin barrier not only locks moisture in skin but also keeps potential irritants out), making the ingredient suitable in the treatment of conditions like rosacea or acne.
In addition, niacinamide helps prevent premature signs of skin aging, including boosting collagen production to smooth wrinkles and reduce discolorations, says Nazarian. She recommends the ingredient for people with dry, sensitive, aging, or acne-prone skin.
What’s more, a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial suggested that topical 2 percent niacinamide can be effective in controlling skin’s sebum (oil) production.Another review looked at eight studies in which nicotinamide was used to treat acne. Researchers found that six of those concluded that topical preparations were effective in reducing acne, but the authors note that more research needs to be done to quantify how nicotinamide stacks up to standard acne treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or retinoids.
