From the fine print on your serum label to the TikTok trend, niacinamide is everywhere. This superstar ingredient promises healthy skin, with smoothed fine lines and reduced blemishes. New to beauty formulations? We explain to you what are the real benefits of niacinamide on the skin and how to integrate it into your routine.

Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a specific form of vitamin B3, an essential water-soluble vitamin that is not synthesized in the body, meaning we must consume it to experience its benefits. Luckily, vitamin B3 is present in a wide variety of food products such as poultry, legumes, and eggs, but also in our beauty products, so there is little chance that you are suffering from a deficiency.
Did you say beauty? An aspect that should not be overlooked since this powerful antioxidant, found in certain components of our beauty creams, has many benefits for the skin: it promotes cell repair and acts as an anti-inflammatory on skin problems. Anti-wrinkle, anti-dark spot, anti-pimple, smoothing and brightening, niacinamide has it all!

According to a report by spate.nyc, a data organization on emerging beauty trends on the web, searches for niacinamide skincare have increased by 193% in 2 years! This figure can be explained by the growing interest of consumers in the ingredients of their beauty products, and the desire to take care of their skin.
Thanks to its antioxidant power and anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide helps prevent and treat skin aging, reduces redness and inflammation of the skin (aka pimples), significantly eliminates hyperpigmentation and evens skin tone while by promoting its hydration. It is also a great ingredient for visibly diminishing dark spots, as it prevents the transfer of pigment into the skin while repairing cells damaged by UV rays.

In a study published in 2004 in theInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science, researchers asked 50 women (all Caucasian and between the ages of 40 and 60) to apply a moisturizer containing 5% niacinamide to half of their faces and a placebo moisturizer to the other half for 12 weeks. Their results showed that halves of faces receiving niacinamide had fewer hyperpigmentation spots, less redness and blemishes, and improved skin appearance compared to the control side.  

In short, whatever your skin problem, niacinamide inevitably has a role to play in your beauty routine.

In addition to being beneficial as a nutrient, niacinamide therefore offers a whole slew of benefits for the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent shield against internal and external stressors that are known to cause inflammation of the skin, and therefore acne and pimples. Unsure of the root cause of your acne? Learn where your acne comes from here. A study published in 2013 in theInternational Journal of Dermatology demonstrated that a topical preparation containing 4% niacinamide significantly improved moderate acne when applied twice daily for eight weeks.

Also, be aware that niacinamide is relatively non-irritating compared to other acne treatments, such as retinol or salicylic acid, so it is a good option for people with eczema, rosacea, or having dry or sensitive skin.

READ ALSO : My battle with adult acne at 30, by Laure, founder of HO KARAN

Whether you have oily, combination, normal, or dry skin, niacinamide generally works well with all four of these skin types.

If you are trying niacinamide for the first time, it is recommended to start with low concentration formulations (1-2%) and gradually increase to 5% to accustom the skin. You can apply your niacinamide treatment (serum, cream or mask) morning and/or evening on cleansed skin. The advantage of vitamin B3 is that it also matches very well with certain ingredients (bring a magnifying glass and it's up to you to decipher the labels):

-Niacinamide + hyaluronic acid : winning combo for smooth and perfectly hydrated skin.

-Retinol + niacinamide : Vitamin B3 soothes the skin and reduces redness that can be caused by retinol, while the latter provides an additional anti-aging effect.

-Niacinamide + CBD : a winning duo that you can find in theAdieu Button anti-imperfection e roll-on. CBD brings a purifying and anti-inflammatory action while niacinamide reduces redness and inflammation of the skin, significantly eliminates hyperpigmentation, and evens skin tone while promoting hydration. The results are visible after a few days!

-Niacinamide + zinc + CBD : the magic trio that composes the HO KARAN “cure of greenery” mask, CBD acts as an anti-stress for the skin, zinc will help purify and heal imperfections, while niacinamide will reduce dilated pores, even skin tone, smooth fine lines, strengthen the skin barrier and restore radiance.  

Patience, the effects of niacinamide will begin to show on the skin after 8-12 weeks, so don't give up, we guarantee it works!