Niacinamide, the miracle ingredient?
The versatile item we should all have in our bathroom
Among the star ingredients in skincare, niacinamide is a true all-rounder. Present in many Korean skincare products, it adapts to almost all skin types and a wide range of needs. But what exactly is it? Why is it so popular? And most importantly, does it really live up to all its promises? Spoiler alert: yes.
🧪 What is Niacinamide?
Also known as vitamin B3 , it is a water-soluble ingredient, meaning it dissolves in water and easily penetrates the skin without making it greasy or heavy.
In summary: it helps strengthen the skin barrier, regulate sebum production, brighten the complexion, reduce dark spots, diminish redness, and refine skin texture. Yes, all of that.
Niacinamide is a bit like the sauce in a burger
The sauce isn't everything, but it enhances every bite. Niacinamide is the same in a skincare routine:
- It does not replace your moisturizer or anti-aging serum.
- But it improves everything around it.
👉 Do you have oily skin? It regulates sebum.
👉 Do you have sensitive skin? It soothes inflammation.
👉 Do you have blemishes? It reduces them.
👉 Do you have a minimalist routine? It does several jobs at once.
It's the Google Translate of your skin.
It's not always easy for the skin to understand what it needs: sometimes it feels tight, sometimes it's shiny, sometimes it reddens. Niacinamide acts a bit like a universal translator:
- It strengthens the skin barrier to prevent dehydration.
- It soothes redness and inflammation .
- It smooths skin texture like a soft filter on Instagram.
💡 Result: more balanced, more resilient, more even skin.
🚫 Can it cause reactions?
Niacinamide is generally very well tolerated, even by sensitive skin. However, when used in excessively high concentrations (above 10%), it can cause redness or stinging. 🧴 For beginners, start with a concentration between 5% and 10%. This is sufficient to achieve results without irritating the skin.
How to integrate it into your routine?
Morning or evening? Both!
It is non-photosensitizing , so there's no problem using it during the day. (But you should still apply your sunscreen EVERY DAY.)
Serum, cream or toner? It doesn't matter!
It comes in all textures, from the lightest to the richest. It blends easily right after cleansing, before your moisturizer.
It goes well with:
✔ Hyaluronic acid
✔ Zinc
✔ Mild acids (PHA, lactic acid)
✔ Azelaic Acid
✔ Peptides
❌ Avoid using with a high dose of pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) in the same routine, as this may decrease the effectiveness of both (unless the formula has been stabilized for this purpose).
In summary...
Why is everyone talking about Niacinamide?
✅ It is suitable for all skin types
✅ It's multi-functional: radiance, sebum, blemishes, redness…
✅ It is gentle and effective, even in small doses
✅ It's easy to integrate into an existing routine
At Lyssa Select, we love it:
Discover Korean skincare with niacinamide in our selection on www.lyssaselect.com for clearer, softer and brighter skin — without the hassle.