PROIn Stock
150ML
Salix Cleansing Foam
Cleanses and soothes blemish-prone skin
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
The universal active for every skin type - an active form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, regulates sebum, reduces pores and improves skin tone. A universal active with proven efficacy.
Vitamin
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Niacinamide is a rare exception among actives: it does several different things at once, suits almost every skin type and demands no complicated preparation. Which is why it ends up in so many formulas.
Product routine
Step 1CleanseCleanses oily, blemish-prone skin
Step 2TreatNiacinamide: sebum balance, fewer blemishes
Step 3MoisturizeLight cream for oily skin, hydrates without shine
Step 4ProtectDay cream with broad-spectrum SPF 50
What It Is
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide. It should not be confused with niacin, a different form of the same vitamin that causes flushing and stinging when applied topically.
The ingredient is stable, water-soluble and works across a wide pH range. That is a practical advantage: it needs no special packaging and does not degrade quickly, unlike more temperamental antioxidants.
What It Does in Skin
The first and best-supported role is supporting the skin barrier. Niacinamide contributes to building ceramides, the lipids that hold water in the skin. A stronger barrier means less moisture loss and less tendency to irritation.
The second role concerns evenness of tone. Niacinamide interferes with the transfer of pigment to surface cells, which over time makes marks less visible. The effect is gradual and evening-out rather than lightening.
Sebum and the look of pores
Niacinamide reduces the sense of oily shine and makes pores less noticeable. An important clarification: pores do not shrink and do not close. What changes is how full they look and how the surface around them reflects light.
At What Concentration
Most research uses concentrations between two and five percent, and that range is the sensible choice. Ten percent products do not deliver a proportionally better result, and on sensitive skin they more often cause redness and stinging.
If your skin reacts to a niacinamide product, the first step is to lower the concentration rather than to give up on the ingredient. Many people who believe they cannot tolerate niacinamide do fine with a two percent formula.
The Vitamin C Myth
It was long repeated that niacinamide and vitamin C should not be used together because they cancel each other out. The claim comes from old laboratory observations at high temperature and does not reflect what happens on skin.
In practice the two combine comfortably and today often appear in the same formula. If you prefer, you can split them between morning and evening, but that is a matter of preference rather than necessity.
How to Use It
Morning, evening or both, after cleansing and before your cream. It combines without restriction with hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides and retinol, where it actually eases the sense of irritation.
When You Will See a Difference
The sense of calmer, more comfortable skin comes relatively quickly, often within two to four weeks. Evening out tone and making pores less noticeable takes longer: usually two to three months of regular use.
Niacinamide is not a dramatic ingredient and does not target deep lines. Its strength is that it does several things moderately well, is tolerated almost universally, and fits into any routine without complications.
How to Spot It in a Formula
On an ingredient list it appears as niacinamide. If it sits in the first third, the concentration is probably meaningful. If it comes after preservatives and fragrance, its presence is more for the label than for your skin.
Sometimes a formula yellows or develops a faint smell over time. That usually means the niacinamide has partly degraded, most often from warm storage. The product is not unsafe, but it is weaker than when new.
Who It Particularly Suits
Oily and combination skin, skin with post-blemish marks, uneven tone, and skin prone to redness. It also works as a first active for someone just building a routine - see our morning routine.
On very dry skin niacinamide helps, but is not enough on its own: you also need something that delivers and holds moisture. It supports the barrier; it does not replace hydration.
01What is niacinamide and why is it important for the skin?
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble vitamin that acts as a precursor to the coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+, which participate in over 400 enzymatic reactions in cells. For the skin, it is significant because it stimulates ceramide synthesis, strengthens the skin barrier, regulates sebum secretion, and inhibits melanosome transfer, which reduces hyperpigmentation.
02At what concentration is niacinamide effective?
Clinical studies demonstrate effectiveness at concentrations from 2% to 5%. At 2%, a sebum-regulating effect is observed; at 4%, significant reduction of pigmented spots occurs; and at 5%, comprehensive improvement in texture, pore size, and barrier function is achieved. Concentrations above 10% do not show additional benefit and may cause irritation in sensitive skin.
03Can niacinamide be combined with vitamin C?
Yes. The popular myth that niacinamide and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) are incompatible stems from an outdated in vitro study conducted under extreme temperature conditions. At physiological pH and normal temperature, the two molecules work synergistically - niacinamide strengthens the barrier while vitamin C provides antioxidant protection.
04Is niacinamide suitable for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide has an exceptionally good tolerability profile and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin. Its anti-inflammatory action through NF-kB inhibition makes it beneficial for rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and acne. In Collagena Professional®, niacinamide is incorporated into a DMS lamellar system, which further reduces the risk of irritation.
05How quickly can results from niacinamide be seen?
Improvement in skin hydration and texture is observed within 2-4 weeks. The sebum-regulating effect manifests after 4 weeks, while visible reduction of pigmented spots requires 8-12 weeks of regular application. For optimal results, consistent daily use in the morning and/or evening is recommended.
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