If there's one ingredient that belongs in almost everyone's routine, it's niacinamide — the gentle K-beauty all-rounder your FYP keeps calling a "do-it-all." Here's what it actually does and how to use it.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) is a cosmetic ingredient loved for balancing, brightening and refining the look of skin. It's famously well-tolerated, plays nicely with almost everything, and suits most skin types.
(Cosmetic note: these are appearance-level benefits — niacinamide skincare improves how skin looks.)
What people love it for
- The look of smaller, less-visible pores — a top reason people reach for it.
- More even-looking tone — helps fade the look of dark spots and blotchiness.
- Less shine — helps balance the look of oily, congested skin.
- A smoother, healthier-looking finish overall.
How to use it
- Serum: apply to clean skin, AM and/or PM, before moisturizer. (Browse our brightening range.)
- It layers with almost anything — hyaluronic acid, peptides, SPF.
- Great for oily/textured skin — see more in pores & texture.
Niacinamide vs. vitamin C
Vitamin C is the punchy glow-booster; niacinamide is the gentle multitasker. Many people use both — vitamin C in the morning, niacinamide any time. If your skin is easily irritated, niacinamide is the friendlier starting point. (See vitamin C serums.)
Try it
Shop our authentic brightening range — sealed and shipped from LA in 1–2 days. New here? Code WELCOME10 gets you 10% off your first order.
Everyone's skin is different — patch-test and introduce actives slowly.