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Niacinamide

We look for thisReviewed September 18, 2026

Vitamin B3 · Nicotinamide

Vitamin B3. Regulates oil, calms redness, supports the barrier and fades post-acne marks.

What it does

Actives & treatment

Our take

Rare in doing several useful things at once without irritating. Above 5% the irritation risk climbs with very little added benefit, the 10% versions all over the shelf are mostly marketing. It's in both our own leave-on products for exactly this reason.

What we look for

4-5%

Suitable from

Tween, 8+ · Teen, 13+ · Young adult, 20+ · Middle aged, 40+

Best for

Blemish & congestion · Oil control · Redness & sensitivity · Dark marks & dullness · Barrier repair · Aging & firmness

Skin types

Oily · Combination · Blemish-prone · Sensitive · Dry

Pairs with

Almost everything, including salicylic acid. The old "never with vitamin C" rule comes from a 1960s stability study at high heat and doesn't apply to modern formulas.