Overview
Niacinamide is a multi-functional form of vitamin B3 that helps improve visible pores, uneven texture, and overall skin balance.
Niacinamide helps:
- strengthen the skin barrier
- keep skin hydrated
- support skin cells in responding to environmental stressors
Suitable for most skin types, it's especially valued for:
- calming redness and soothes irritation
- fading dullness and post-breakout marks
- refining texture and minimizes pores over time
Niacinamide: Why it Matters
Why is niacinamide often linked to pores and skin texture?
Niacinamide helps improve the visible appearance of enlarged pores rather than physically changing their size. Excess oil, dehydration, and uneven surface texture can make pores look more noticeable. By reinforcing the skin barrier and supporting essential lipid synthesis, niacinamide helps support a smoother-looking skin surface. As the surrounding skin becomes more balanced, pores and rough texture can appear visibly improved over time.
How does niacinamide actually work on the skin?
Niacinamide supports the skin through multiple pathways at once.
Barrier Support
- strengthens the skin barrier
- supports essential lipid production and hydration
Cell Response
- supports NAD+ production
- helps skin cells respond to daily environmental stress
Tone Improvement
- reduces the appearance of excess pigment by reducing the melanin transfer
- improves dullness, redness, and post-breakout marks
Together, these functions help keep the skin balanced, resilient, and visibly clearer over time.
Can niacinamide be used with other active ingredients?
Because of its strong barrier-supporting and calming properties, niacinamide is widely used alongside other active ingredients. Especially in routines that include:
- exfoliating acids
- retinoids
- targeted acne ingredients
as it helps support moisture balance and improve overall skin comfort. Because niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier by supporting ceramide and lipid synthesis, the ingredient can help make active-based routines feel more tolerable over time.
Finding the Right Fit: Skin Types & Usage
Quick Check
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✓ Oily or Combination Skin with Visible Pores
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✓ Oily or Combination Skin with Visible Pores
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Ideal for skin that becomes oily throughout the day, especially around the T-zone. Niacinamide improves the appearance of visible pores and support overall skin balance.
- ✓ Sensitive Skin with Redness or Post-breakout Marks
Useful for skin that becomes easily flushed or develops lingering marks after breakouts. It enhances a calmer, more even-looking skin tone.
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✓ Skin Weakened by Dryness or Overuse of Active Ingredients
Recommended when the skin feels tight, rough, or more reactive after strong active ingredients or environmental stress. Niacinamide reinforces the skin barrier and helps maintain moisture balance for improved skin comfort.
Practical Usage Tips
Q. Why does my skin sometimes turn red after using niacinamide?
A. Temporary redness is usually related to skin sensitivity rather than niacinamide itself. A weakened skin barrier, layering with strong actives like acids or retinoids, or higher concentrations can increase irritation. In rare cases, niacinamide may cause brief flushing under conditions like high heat or low pH. Adjusting usage and supporting the skin barrier can help reduce this reaction.
Q. Is a higher percentage of niacinamide better?
A. Not always. Lower concentrations (around 2% to 5%) of niacinamide is still effective to improve skin tone, texture, and barrier function. Higher percentages are not necessarily more beneficial and may increase the risk of irritation. Choosing a concentration based on skin tolerance is generally more recommended than using a higher percentage.
Did you know?
Niacinamide has also been identified in meteorites found on Earth. This finding has made it a fascinating topic in studies exploring how some of life’s essential molecules may have first reached Earth. It is one of the few skincare ingredients with a scientific connection that reaches far beyond our planet.
References
Bandopadhyay, S., Mandal, S., Ghorai, M., Jha, N. K., Kumar, M., Radha, N., ... & Dey, A. (2023). Therapeutic properties and pharmacological activities of asiaticoside and madecassoside: A review. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine, 27(5), 593-608.
Krzyżostan, M., Wawrzyńczak, A., & Nowak, I. (2024). Controlled Release of Madecassoside and Asiaticoside of Centella asiatica L. Origin from Sustainable Cold-Processed Topical Formulations. Molecules, 29(23), 5583.
Liu, J., Li, Y., Yang, C., & Zhao, B. (2025). Unraveling the Mechanisms of Madecassoside Derivatives in Wound Healing: Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation. Pharmaceuticals, 18(9), 1292.
Lu, W., Luo, D., Chen, D., Zhang, S., Chen, X., Zhou, H., ... & Liu, W. (2023). Systematic study of paeonol/madecassoside co-delivery nanoemulsion transdermal delivery system for enhancing barrier repair and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Molecules, 28(13), 5275.
Ratz-Łyko, J. Arct., et al. “Cosmetic Properties of Centella asiatica” Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences (2016) 78(1):27-3