In the world of skincare, numerous ingredients vie for our attention, but one particular ingredient that is constantly on our must-have list… (drum roll) niacinamide!
There’s an array of reasons to love this versatile vitamin, and we’re eager to spill the beans.
If your skincare routine doesn’t already feature any niacinamide serums, you’ll be itching to make room for it after diving into the benefits we’re about to unveil!
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, is a water-soluble vitamin. It has a reputation for shrinking pores, easing skin congestion, and soothing ongoing breakouts.
Remarkably, it achieves all of these while smoothing fine lines, improving skin tone and texture, as well as diminishing dark spots.
There are three forms of vitamin B3, niacinamide (nicotinamide), niacin (nicotinic acid), and nicotinamide riboside. However, niacinamide is the ingredient that’s popularly used in many skincare products.
Niacinamide is also well-loved for its skin-soothing properties, making it an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin and blemishes.
How to use niacinamide serums?
Niacinamide serums are generally suitable for all skin types and cause minimal irritation, if at all. You can find niacinamide serums that come with varying concentrations.
To get the most out of its benefits, it’s recommended to choose a niacinamide serum that contains at least five percent niacinamide.
Additionally, check the product’s ingredients list. Niacinamide should be listed among the top five ingredients, indicating a more potent formulation. This ensures that you’re using a product that maximises the advantages of niacinamide for your skincare routine.
Can you use niacinamide serums with vitamin C?
Source: depositphotos
Maintaining a regular skincare routine can greatly benefit your skin’s health and enhance its appearance. However, selecting the right products for your specific needs and skin type can be overwhelming due to the variety of ingredients available.
Two popular ingredients, Vitamin C and niacinamide, offer numerous potential advantages such as reducing inflammation and brightening the skin. While these ingredients provide complementary benefits, you might be confused whether they can be used together.
So, can you use a niacinamide serum with a vitamin C serum? The short answer: yes.
Vitamin C serums can sometimes be irritating to the skin, so using them with a niacinamide serum can help soothe the skin, reducing the irritation.
However, a good vitamin C serum is slightly acidic (pH 2.5 to 3.5) while a good niacinamide serum is less acidic (pH 4 to 6). This means that you should ideally use one in the day and one at night so that they won’t neutralise when use one after the other.
Can you use niacinamide and retinol together?
Source: The Skincare Enthusiast
Surprisingly, yes! You can actually team up niacinamide and retinol in your skincare routine. Niacinamide not only boosts the power of retinol but also acts as its trusty sidekick, helping your skin handle its potent effects.
Combining these dynamic duo ingredients can work wonders for your skin’s well-being.
The best niacinamide serums in Malaysia to try now
Ready to level up your skincare game? If yes, check out these top niacinamide serums that we’ve picked for you and think it would go best with your existing skincare routine.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Looking to tame that troublesome rosacea or keep those pesky blemishes at bay?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum has got you covered! This high-strength vitamin and mineral blemish formula work well to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion.
The incorporation of 10% niacinamide as well as 1% concentrated zinc balances the aspect of sebum activity, thereby reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, visible shine and improving your overall skin texture.
Plus, this niacinamide serum is not just effective, it’s also friendly on your wallet – a true bang for your beauty buck!
This retails for RM65 (60ml) on Sephora.
The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum
The Inkey List is a brand that takes a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to skincare’s most potent ingredients.
In the case of their niacinamide serum, it’s all about putting niacinamide front and centre while adding a few supporting ingredients to ensure the serum works its wonders effectively. It’s a lightweight, power-packed serum containing 10% niacinamide to effectively reduce excess oil, blemishes and redness.
In this formulation, the additional ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is present at a concentration of just 1%, serving to soothe and provide hydration to the skin.
This retails for RM50 (30ml) on Sephora.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Niacinamide Serum
Just like its name suggests, this niacinamide serum by IT Cosmetics will get you saying “bye bye dark spots!”
IT Cosmetics serum is formulated with 4% niacinamide, one of our current favourite blemish-busting heroes. In addition, the formula also contains 1% ethyl vitamin C serum, as you already know helps to reduce age spots, melasma and other discolouration.
This niacinamide serum is suitable for all skin types, whether you have combination, dry, normal, oily, or sensitive skin. So there’s no need to worry, regardless of your skin type.
This retails for RM140 (30ml) on Sephora.
Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum
Sunday Riley is one of our all-time favourite brands. Their formulas incorporate clinically proven elements combined with botanical extracts to create fast-acting, non-irritating skincare solutions.
You can expect the same level of excellence from this niacinamide serum. This water-based serum contains a whopping 10% niacinamide, supercharged with trans-resveratrol, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Together, they work to reduce the appearance of pores, discoloration, and uneven skin tone, leaving your complexion balanced and radiantly clear.
Furthermore, this serum contains centella asiatica, which not only minimises the look of pores but also evens out blotchy skin tone, enhances the appearance of skin discolouration, and delivers a clearer, radiant complexion.
This retails for RM322 (30ml) on Sephora.
Fenty Skin Watch Ya Tone Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum
This one from Fenty Skin is a non-sticky serum that takes dark spot treatment to the next level with a potent blend of ingredients designed to illuminate your skin instantly and gradually fade those persistent dark spots.
The formula also includes vitamin C, licorice root extract, and Barbados cherry, all working together to enhance overall skin brightness and diminish the appearance of dark spots.
After eight weeks of consistent use, expect to see a improvement in skin brightness and enhancement in overall skin tone evenness.
And the best part? It’s fragrance-free and refillable, making it an even more attractive addition to your skincare routine.
This retails for RM220 (30ml) on Sephora.
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
All Paula’s Choice products are 100% fragrance free, clinically proven to be non-irritating, and never tested on animals, including this niacinamide booster.
Concentrated with 10% niacinamide, it dramatically improves uneven skin tone and refines the appearance of pore size, skin texture, and fine lines. Its sheer ultra-light liquid formula can be used alone or simply blend a few drops of it with your beloved day cream, night cream, or even sunscreen.
This retails for RM230 (20ml) on Paula’s Choice.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
Experience the radiance you desire with the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops.
This multi-use highlighting serum not only hydrates your skin, but also visibly diminishes hyperpigmentation, granting your skin a luminous and reflective allure.
Unlike many other products, this serum doesn’t rely on mica, glitter, or pearls for its glow. Just a few pumps applied to the high points of your face, it swiftly replenishes moisture, adds plumpness, and leaves you with a glassy skin appearance.
This retails for RM242 (80ml) on Sephora.
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Address your skin concerns and achieve a brighter, blemish-free complexion with COSRX’s The Niacinamide 15 Serum.
A total acne care niacinamide serum that can reduce acne scars and marks, this product contains highly concentrated niacinamide (15%) for mild exfoliation, sebum control, and antibacterial effects, giving you smooth, fresh, problem-free skin.
Formulated to be non-comedogenic, this serum features a smooth and refreshing texture that leaves no greasy residue. It promotes collagen synthesis through the inclusion of Allantoin and zinc ingredients, effectively treating acne while reinforcing the skin’s protective barrier.
This retails for RM65 on Watsons.
SKINTIFIC 10% Niacinamide Serum
The best way to care for your skin is by keeping it healthy and well-hydrated.
This is why Skintific has come up with this brightening niacinamide serum. Containing 10% niacinamide, arbutin, ceramide, and centella asiatica, it promises to quickly brightens, removes acne scars and sun burning scars in just seven days.
This retails for RM56 on Watsons.
Skin Inc Vitamin B3+ Serum
Vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, is the secret weapon in Skin Inc Vitamin B3+ Serum.
This niacinamide serum boasts a smooth, fast-absorbing gel texture, thanks to the magic touch of glycerin. What’s more, it’s packed with not one or two, but three types of hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and plump, giving your skin that soft-as-cloud feel.
As you massage the serum to your skin, little capsules burst to release all its skin-loving goodness. You can apply it before your moisturiser for a personalised skincare cocktail.
This retails for RM220 (10ml) on Sephora.
La Roche Posay Pure Niacinamide 10 Serum
Co-developed with dermatologists, this serum from La Roche Posay is formulated with 10% of pure niacinamide that corrects every dark spots, hyperpigmentation issue, and uneven skin tone.
The concentrated hyaluronic acid formula in here helps to repair skin barrier, hydrate, and plump up your skin in no time, making it perfect for every skin type.
This retails for RM189.90 (30ml) on Watsons.
Beauty Of Joseon Glow Serum Propolis + Niacinamide Serum
Designed to alleviate the woes of individuals with large pores and inflamed skin, Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Serum is a game-changer.
This Korean beauty gem combines niacinamide with propolis, a soothing ingredient blessed with antibacterial prowess. Not only does it work wonders in minimising pore size and regulating sebum, but it also provides essential nourishment and hydration.
To sweeten the deal, the formula includes turmeric root and centella asiatica extracts, both boasting anti-inflammatory properties that work to calm redness and irritation.
This retails for RM66.90 (30ml) on Watsons.
Kiehl’s Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide
Kiehl’s high-potency serum is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, thanks to its gentle yet effective 5% niacinamide concentration.
This concentrated niacinamide serum comprises just 10 ingredients, working to visibly diminish excess oil and imperfections. Niacinamide in its formula also delivers skin-brightening properties.
To use, simply apply four to five drops of this niacinamide serum onto your clean, dry skin both in the morning and evening.
This retails for RM126 on Kiehl’s.
