Can Lower Niacinamide Strengths Really Still Help Skin?
Main image – Leandrocrespi/Stocksy
Dr Sonia Khorana is a GP with a special interest in dermatology and Live That Glow’s own skincare agony aunt. She is passionate about helping people feel confident in their own skin. In this month’s column, she advises about whether lower concentrations of niacinamide can still help with skincare issues.
I really like niacinamide for my hyperpigmentation-prone skin but I don’t necessarily want to use a separate product just to get the benefits. I’ve found a moisturiser I really like that contains niacinamide but is there a minimum percentage it needs to include to help my pigmentation, or will any amount still help?
Dr Sonia says:
Niacinamide is one of my favourite ingredients. And the good news is that it is effective even at relatively low concentrations.
Most studies showing benefits for pigmentation, redness and barrier support use it in the 2–5% range. At these levels, it can help regulate pigment transfer, calm inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier – all of which are useful if you’re prone to uneven tone.
Higher percentages of niacinamide (above 10%) aren’t necessarily “better” – they can sometimes cause irritation and depend hugely on how the product is formulated (so I wouldn’t get too bogged down with the percentage).
So if you’ve found a moisturiser you love that contains niacinamide, keep using it. The best product is the one you’ll apply consistently, alongside good sun protection, because that’s what really makes the difference in fading pigmentation over time.
For most people, building it into a product you actually enjoy and use every day- like your moisturiser- is far more important than chasing exact percentages. Consistency is really what drives results with pigmentation.
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