Niacinamide 101: The benefits and choosing the right percentage for your skin

If you’ve spent any time scrolling through skincare tips lately, you’ve likely seen one ingredient taking centre stage: Niacinamide.

This powerhouse ingredient has earned a permanent spot in beauty routines worldwide. Let’s break down everything you need to know to harness the benefits of niacinamide for your unique complexion.


What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that works seamlessly with your skin's natural chemistry to repair daily damage, reinforce the moisture barrier, minimise pores, fade stubborn dark spots, regulate excess oil, improve texture and instantly soothe redness for a healthier, more resilient complexion.

Woman applying Palmer's Skin Success Extra Strength Cream to her face with a bathroom background


The Benefits of Niacinamide

According to leading fashion and beauty publications, niacinamide is frequently credited with achieving that coveted, lit-from-within "glass skin" look. Its primary benefits include:

  • Regulates Oil Production: By balancing sebum levels, it helps tightens the look of enlarged pores and keep breakouts at bay without overly drying the skin.
  • Strengthens the Skin Barrier: It boosts the production of ceramides, helping to lock in moisture and protect your skin from environmental stressors.
  • Fades Dark Spots: Niacinamide helps block pigment from transferring to the surface of the skin, reducing the appearance of dark spots, sun damage, and post-acne marks.
  • Anti-inflammatory: Its soothing properties help minimise blotchiness, redness and ease irritation.
  • Anti-ageing: Consistent use can improve skin elasticity and texture while minimising the look of enlarged pores and fine wrinkles.


Choosing the Right Percentage for Your Skin Type

When it comes to active skincare ingredients, it’s easy to assume that a higher number automatically means better results. However, matching the right concentration to your skin type is the key to avoiding irritation while maximising benefits.

Clinical evidence supports two main concentration ranges, each with distinct applications:


4–5% Niacinamide

Best for most skin types and general tone correction. It is suitable for all skin types including sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin. This percentage can be used daily from the very first application without any adjustment period.

A 4% to 5% formula (such as targeted dark spot correctors) effectively targets dark spots, smooths texture, and balances oil production with minimal risk of irritation.


10% Niacinamide 

Delivering more pronounced visible results, this potent concentration targets stubborn discoloration, deep-set dark spots and post-acne scarring with dramatic brightening power. It is still well-tolerated by most skin types, but those with extremely sensitive or reactive skin may prefer to introduce it gradually. However, because it is more intense, it carries a higher risk of triggering sensitivity - always patch-test first!

Palmer's® Skin Success Extra Strength range is formulated with a highly efficacious 10% concentration of Niacinamide and powerful youth enhancing ingredients: Amino Acid, Vitamin C, Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid for radiant, younger looking skin.

Learn more about Palmer's Skin Success Extra Strength Range.

If you need help determining what percent niacinamide to use, we recommend speaking to your doctor before use to for help determining your niacinamide recommend percentage so that you don’t damage your skin.

 

Incorporating Niacinamide into Your Routine

1. Cleanse thoroughly with a gentle cleanser

2. Apply 2-3 drops of niacinamide serum to entire face and neck

3. Follow with a niacinamide moisturiser to lock in benefits

4. Always use SPF in your morning routine


Morning: Cleanser → Hydrating Niacinamide Serum → Niacinamide Moisturiser → SPF

Evening: Cleanser → Hydrating Niacinamide Serum → Niacinamide Moisturiser


 

 

Niacinamide is a versatile powerhouse for smoothing texture, balancing skin tone and fading dark spots. Tailoring the concentration to your unique skin type is key to maximizing results while avoiding irritation.


Explore Palmer’s entire Skin Success collection to discover solutions to all your tone and texture correction concerns.