When to use niacinamide in your skincare routine

Where does niacinamide go in the routine?

1. 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and gently pat dry.
2. 2Apply your niacinamide serum as the treatment step. If you use a prescription skin medicine, follow its directions rather than rearranging it around a cosmetic serum.
3. 3Apply moisturizer. If your moisturizer already contains niacinamide, use it here.
4. 4In the morning, finish with sunscreen, then makeup if you wear it. Niacinamide does not prevent sunburn or replace sunscreen.

Niacinamide can also be applied after moisturizer or combined with moisturizer and applied to the face and neck. The sequence above is a general treatment routine, not a rule for every format. Niacinamide can be part of an existing moisturizer rather than an extra serum, which gives the bathroom shelf one less applicant to interview.1

How often should you use niacinamide?

Once daily is an option; twice daily is also possible. Start slowly with a low concentration if your skin is sensitive. Many products contain 5% or less, and 10% is not the required starting point. If twice daily use of a niacinamide gel causes excessive dryness, reduce it to once daily or every other day.14

Can you use niacinamide with other ingredients?

Niacinamide can be paired with vitamin C, retinol, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and moisturizers containing ceramides. That does not mean you need all of them in one routine. Avoid using too many niacinamide products at once, and introduce new products gradually. Using too many treatments can irritate skin, especially when several target signs of aging.123

Why include niacinamide in your skincare routine?

Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. It helps reduce water loss through the outer skin layer, supporting hydration. It also has effects on inflammation and pigmentation. Topical formulas have improved uneven pigmentation, texture, fine lines and red blotchiness in clinical trials. These are useful reasons to include it, rather than adding it simply because it appears in many products.456

For facial shine, a 2% niacinamide moisturizer reduced oil production over 4 to 6 weeks. Improvements in signs of aging were reported after 8 weeks with a 4% cosmetic and over 12 weeks with 5% topical niacinamide. Niacinamide is often tolerated by people who cannot tolerate topical retinoids or fruit acids.4

As a product example, The Ordinary reports improved smoothness within 7 days and reduced pore visibility within 4 weeks for Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, tested with twice daily application. Those timings are specific to that serum. Its suggested morning routine places the serum between cleansing and moisturizer, followed by sunscreen.2

What if your niacinamide is in a mask?

A niacinamide mask is an optional addition to your regular routine, not a promotion to head of skincare. Follow the mask's label for frequency and contact time, and apply moisturizer after washing it off. Avoid a mask that duplicates active ingredients already in your routine, particularly retinol or acids. Wash it off immediately if it itches, burns or stings, and see a dermatologist if your skin feels worse afterward.7

When should you stop using it?

Niacinamide is generally gentle, but rare reactions include itching, redness, mild burning and allergy. Test a small amount on your forearm and wait 24 hours before using it more widely. Stop using a product that causes a reaction rather than increasing the amount or frequency.1