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 the International Journal of Cosmetic Science , researchers asked 50 women (all Caucasian and aged 40 to 60) to apply a moisturizer containing 5% niacinamide to one half of their face and a placebo moisturizer to the other half for 12 weeks. Their results showed that the halves of the face receiving niacinamide had fewer hyperpigmentation spots, a reduction in redness and blemishes, and an overall improvement in 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 its beneficial properties as a nutrient, niacinamide offers a whole host of advantages for the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent shield against internal and external stressors, which are known to cause skin inflammation, and therefore acne and breakouts. Unsure about the root cause of your acne? Learn where your acne comes from here . A study published in 2013 in the International 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.

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

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

- Niacinamide + hyaluronic acid : a winning combination 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 combination found in the Adieu Bouton anti-blemish roll-on . CBD provides a purifying and anti-inflammatory action, while niacinamide reduces redness and inflammation, significantly eliminates hyperpigmentation, and evens skin tone while promoting hydration. Results are visible after just a few days!

- Niacinamide + zinc + CBD : the magic trio that makes up the HO KARAN “green cure” mask , CBD acts as an anti-stress agent for the skin, zinc helps to purify and heal imperfections, while niacinamide reduces enlarged pores, evens out skin tone, smooths fine lines, strengthens the skin barrier and restores 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!