What is niacinamide?
A nutrient that naturally occurs in the foods we eat. Niacin or Niacinamide is an essential nutrient to every organ in the body, including your skin. When deficiencies occur in the body, it can lead to memory loss and confusion, fatigue, depression, gut issues and skin problems. Deficiencies are rare as Niacin B3 is found in many of the foods we eat including, chicken, fish, red meat, avocado, lentils and brown rice.
How can niacinamide serums help your skin?
Maybe this is the first time you’ve heard of niacinamide and wondering why you need it? Or, put another way? Should you spend your money on this ingredient and add it to your skincare routine. There are so many reasons why you should keep it front and centre in your bathroom cabinet. Of course, many brands are offering a version, and I often get asked which one is best. So, today I’m reviewing five brands giving us a generous dose in their Niacinamide Serums.
What does niacinamide do when regularly applied to your skin? Quite a lot.
- Balancing and down-regulating oil flow.
- Protection from heat and inflammation caused by the sun.
- The minimisation of hyperpigmentation sun damage.
- Assists in the treatment of rosacea and sensitive skin.
- Overall protection for your skin’s delicate lipid barrier function (which controls what gets in and what gets out).
- It prevents transepidermal water loss, which means your skin will be less dehydrated.
I know, an impressive list of can-do’s. Niacinamide has a lot to offer. If you’d like more in-depth, you might want to read this article: Niacinamide: 8 reasons why it’s a must-have in your beauty regimen.
So, let’s review five brands offering niacinamide in their skincare repertoire, what their formulations offer and how they plan to treat your skin.
Which niacinamide formulation should you choose?
What should you be looking for in your serum? Of course, the quality of the product should be at the top of your list of considerations. But, here’s the thing, when a skincare ingredient like Niacinamide starts to get noticed, everyone jumps on the bandwagon. You’ll begin to find many brands adding Niacinamide to their repertoire. That’s not a bad thing, except the quality can come into question, and it makes your choice much more difficult. So I’d like to help.
What are you trying to achieve?
With so many niacinamide serums and lotions now flooding the beauty market, there is no way to review every one of them. I certainly can’t, so perhaps a better way to approach your choice is by deciding how you want to protect, treat, and improve your skin. What are the goals you have for your skin? More glow? Less oiliness? Slow down the ageing of your skin. Or maybe you’re unhappy about visible pigmentation? Or, do you want healthy skin?
Below you’ll find Five Niacinamide Serums that I’ve reviewed and worth a look plus a bonus tip on getting the right advice before you buy.
Five niacinamide serums under review.
Environ Mela Prep Lotion
For Environ, the inclusion of niacinamide is pretty high on the list of ingredients of their Mela Prep Lotion. It also has two other powerhouse ingredients, Sepi White MSH and Alpha Arbutin, which both, in their unique ways, help to manage the discolouration caused when your natural pigment production goes awry.
Who created it?
Dr Des Fernandes developed Environ nearly 30 years ago. A plastic surgeon and pioneer in the development of skincare that went far beyond cleansers and moisturisers. The cosmeceutical industry is indebted to his pioneering spirit. His products remain some of the best in the world.
What do I think?
As well as all the other great reasons to use niacinamide, if blotchy pigmentation is your biggest concern, then Mela Fade Lotion by Environ is a great choice and is part of Environ’s Mela Fade System. It’s a lotion formula rather than a serum and has a watery consistency. You’ll need to be committed and apply both morning and night under any other serums or creams recommended by your skin care professional to see results.
You’ll pay $90.00AUD
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% plus Zinc 1%
They are targeting oily, acne and problematic skin with their niacinamide serum. This is why they’ve included Zinc in the formula, as it’s healing and will assist in the faster recovery time for blemished skin. At $9.90, you may think, what’s not to like? If you’re on a budget or object to spending a lot of money on skincare? Fair enough.
Who created it?
The Ordinary is from the company Diecem and was founded by Brandon Truaxe, who died in January 2019. Brandon’s goal when starting The Ordinary was to democratise the beauty industry. Taking his inspiration from those who had gone before him and repackaged the tried-and-true ingredients most skincare professionals know to be essential inclusions in your beauty routine.
What do I think?
When The Ordinary first launched this product, I was interested in reviewing their niacinamide serum, as their goal of bringing well-known and proven ingredients to you at an affordable price is, at first glance, compelling. I tried it, and even though they tick the box on having the industry standard of 10% niacinamide in their formulation, the product lacks the elegance and sophistication of other brands.
I found the serum didn’t absorb well into my skin, which may be due to the zinc or other ingredients that have been added to give viscosity to the serum. It’s an interesting combination, but niacinamide does so much more, so I’m not sure why they’ve just focussed on oily, acne and problematic skin.
If you’re on a budget and just can’t or don’t want to spend much on your skincare, and you’re concerned about blemishes, then this serum might be okay.
You can expect to pay $9.90AUD
Synergie Skin Vitamin B
Synergie Skin is trusted by many for delivering high-quality formulations without any nasty ingredients. They call it clean science. The Vitamin B Niacinamide Serum has a concentration of 13%, a generous amount as most sit between 5-10 per cent.
They’ve also added vitamin B5 to soothe and calm the skin. So, if you want a good all-rounder for skin health, this is an excellent choice.
Who created it?
Australian cosmetic chemist Terri Vinson developed Synergie Skin. Terri’s quest for great skin has identified the need for using the highest quality ingredients while discerning in the preservatives and other supporting ingredients in her formulations, ensuring you get the purest and cleanest skincare on her skin on the market.
What do I think?
I love the honesty of this brand and the purity of the formulations. A seemingly simple niacinamide formulation provides a trusted formula filled with niacinamide.
You’ll pay $115.00AUD
Alpha H Vitamin B with Copper Peptides
Alpha H is offering a serum formulation targeting the signs of ageing. Once again, all the benefits of niacinamide but with the addition of Copper Peptides for collagen and Chia Seed extract to feed your skin with essential fatty acids are fundamental for skin health, especially if you suffer from sensitivity, redness, and rosacea. Ferulic Acid stabilises the other ingredients and offers your skin the protective benefits of being a powerful antioxidant.
Who created it?
A well-established Australian brand with excellent skincare credentials. Michelle Doherty was the driving force behind Alpha H and started her career as a beauty therapist. Since acquiring Alpha H well over 15 years ago, she has achieved worldwide recognition. A real success story, with carefully thought out products living up to their promises.
What do I think?
I like this serum because you’re getting more than just a dose of niacinamide; adding copper peptides and chia seeds will provide additional anti-ageing benefits and ensure the integrity of your lipid barrier. Use it daily.
You’ll pay $69.95AUD
(Editor’s note: Michelle Doherty passed away in July 2020 and leaves a wonderful legacy in this brand)
Rationale The (Immunologist) Serum.
If you visit Rationale, they’ll tell you their serum formulation gives you skin vitality and resilience and, as the name suggests, will boost your skin’s immunity. All of this is true and should be a priority if you want your skin to function at its best.
Who created it?
Richard Parker is the creator and founder of Rationale Skincare. Richard constantly seeks a better understanding of the skin and how topically applied ingredients naturally support it.
What do I think?
My first introduction to niacinamide was while working at Rationale a few years ago. At the time, for me, it was a game-changer in my skincare routine. Rationale’s serum is an elegant formulation that delivers on its promise.
Adding other ingredients to this product will assist in supporting the skin’s health. Ingredients such as Amino Acids (Acetyl Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1). Vitamin C is in the form of Ascorbyl Glucoside and Adenosine Triphosphate for cellular energy. Use this easily absorbed serum daily to protect your skin from the ravages of the environment.
You’ll pay $174.00AUD
(Editors note: Rationale has recently changed the name and packaging of this formula. Please check with Rationale regarding any changes to the formula – updated Sept 23 2020).
Finally, your bonus tip?
The success of any of these niacinamide serums and lotions will depend on whether you get the right advice. I believe in working within a system of products. No single product or ingredient will alone provide you with the results. Equally, if you mix and match your brands, hoping to find a solution, it may slow down your results.
The brands I’ve chosen for review today are all supported by skin care professionals, except for The Ordinary, which you can self-select from various outlets without too much intervention or advice.
Getting a thorough skin diagnosis and following the advice of your skincare professional will help you decide which brand will deliver the best results for you.
If you want to know more about choosing a skincare professional, you may like to read this article, the power of a good skin consultation and seven things to look for.
And now you?
So, there you have my five niacinamide serums under review, all with slightly different reasons making them worth a look. It’s one way to future-proof your skin so it remains healthy and vibrant for many years.
Did you find this article helpful? Why not share it with your friends on social media? Or, if you’ve got a question, you can email me.
See you next time,
