When it comes to transformative results for your complexion, niacinamide benefits are the stuff of legend. Like retinol and vitamin C, niacinamide for skin is one of those ingredients that dermatologists love so much, we’re surprised that they don’t wear T-shirts emblazoned with “Niacinamide 4ever” underneath their lab coats. (Or maybe they do—we wouldn’t judge.)
At Milk Makeup, we’re also loyal members of the niacinamide (aka vitamin B3) fan club. To date, we’ve infused it into four of our core products, including our new Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer. But what exactly makes this popular skincare ingredient so special?
To give you the breakdown on niacinamide skin benefits, we spoke to dermatologist Jeanine B. Downie, M.D. Read on for the full scoop on this versatile little skin vitamin, plus how we use it in our Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer, Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray, Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Eye Primer, and Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer.
What is niacinamide?
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that both supports and fortifies your skin from the inside out. As Dr. Downie points out, this topical ingredient is not to be confused with niacin, which is the nutritional form of vitamin B3 used to “improve cholesterol and help reduce the risk of a heart attack.”
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What are the benefits of niacinamide in skincare?
When we say that this ingredient does all of the things, it’s not an exaggeration. “Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory, which means it can be used to help acne and rosacea,” says Dr. Downie. It’s also known for its brightening benefits, which help it treat both active and healing breakouts.
“Niacinamide suppresses melanin production, so it can help to decrease hyperpigmentation like dark spots and dark patches,” she says. “It can also decrease fine lines and wrinkles.” Dermatologists love it because it’s an ingredient that’s both reparative and preventative: It can protect your skin from the harsh effects of environmental damage while it repairs any visible signs of past damage—dullness, fine lines, and uneven texture.
One of niacinamide’s more mystical abilities is its ability to visibly shrink the appearance of enlarged pores, making them look instantly smaller, smoother, and less noticeable—like an IRL blur tool. No one is entirely sure why it has this effect on your skin, but some scientists think it’s related to vitamin B3’s normalizing ability on the lining of your pores, which can help keep oil and dirt from clogging and causing a stretched appearance and bumpy texture.
Which skin types should use niacinamide?
Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin, or sensitive skin, you can use niacinamide. “All skin types can benefit from niacinamide,” says Dr. Downie. She especially recommends it for people with sensitive skin that are prone to redness, melasma, eczema, and other skin conditions. Anyone with large pores, roughness, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation will also see benefits from incorporating it into their daily routine.
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Which Milk Makeup products contain niacinamide?
We formulate four of our makeup prepping and setting products with niacinamide to help you create a smooth base and soak up some extra skincare benefits.
If you like a smooth, naturally mattified base, our Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer is just what your skin has been waiting for. This 90% natural water cream primer cools on contact, blending lentil extract with niacinamide and bakuchiol to control shine and gradually diminish the look of enlarged pores over time.
If you dream of a dewy makeup look, get your daily dose of niacinamide with Hydro Grip Primer, our gel primer formula that grips makeup for up to 12 hours as it smooths your skin and infuses it with niacinamide, aloe water, blue agave extract, and hyaluronic acid for ultimate hydration. We also made a version for your eyelids and under eyes with our Hydro Grip Eye Primer. It’s a 93% natural, invisible eye primer for eyeshadow and concealer that creates a smooth base and locks down color for up to 8 hours to help prevent creasing, fading, and smudging. It’s also got niacinamide and aloe water to help provide additional moisture and antioxidant benefits.
To seal it all in, grab our Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray as the last step in your makeup routine. Not only does it seal your makeup in place for up to 12 hours, but it also imparts a breathable, glassy glow thanks to a dual-phase formula enriched with niacinamide, blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, and hemp-derived cannabis seed oil.
From our primers to our setting sprays, niacinamide brings all of the skincare benefits with none of the irritation. No matter how you add it to your day, it’s one ingredient that definitely deserves its place in your beauty routine.
Meet the Expert:
Jeanine B. Downie, M.D. (she/her) is a board-certified dermatologist and director of Image Dermatology P.C. in Montclair, New Jersey. Board certified by the American Board of Dermatology and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDA) and the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Downie is one of the most respected cosmetic dermatologists in the Tri-State Area and a frequent expert for many top media outlets, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, The New York Times, InStyle, and Cosmopolitan.
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