Check the ingredients list: Despite what the packaging says, it’s best to scan the ingredients label and look for “niacinamide”—not nicotinic acid. “It’s thought that nicotinic acid converts into niacinamide, but nicotinic acid can cause flushing and redness of skin,” says Dr. Patel.
Use day and night: The great news is that niacinamide is gentle and can be used daily in both your morning and nighttime skincare routines. As with any serum, make sure you layer it on after cleansing (to remove makeup, dirt, and oil) and before moisturizer (so it can penetrate the skin more easily.) “I personally infuse this into my skincare routine and am regularly recommending this to my patients,” says Dr. Love.
Stick with niacinamide serums, not creams: “The vitamin is water-soluble and will most effectively absorb into the skin in a serum form,” explains Dr. Patel.
Look for two to 10%: “An effective serum should have two to 10% of niacinamide,” says Annie Gonzalez, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.
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