Discover what niacinamide is and its benefits. Learn the differences between niacinamide 5 vs 10 and which concentration works best for your skin goals.
By Jamila Piplyawala
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If skincare had a main-character energy movie, niacinamide would be in the lead role. That’s because it’s everywhere: in your cleanser, your serum, your moisturizer, and probably in at least three products sitting on your shelf. You constantly see influencers talking about niacinamide serum for open pores or dermatologists recommending it for barrier repair.
But why does this one ingredient keep showing up in every formulation across every skin type and at every price point?
That’s because it’s one of the rare ingredients that knows how to do a little bit of everything without demanding a dramatic adjustment of your routine.
But let’s be honest, it’s skincare we are talking about. Things here are never free of questions.
Questions such as: Should it be used in the morning or at night? Should you go for a 5% concentration or a 10% concentration? Let’s clear some of these questions in this blog:
Key takeaways
- Niacinamide is a versatile vitamin B3 that supports barrier repair, oil control, and overall skin balance.
- A 5% niacinamide concentration is ideal for daily use, beginners, and sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- A 10% niacinamide serum offers faster, targeted results but may irritate sensitive or compromised skin.
- Higher niacinamide concentration doesn’t guarantee better results – consistency and skin tolerance matter more.
- Choosing between 5% and 10% niacinamide depends on your skin goals, experience, and routine.
What is niacinamide?
Let’s first start with the basics: what even is niacinamide? Basically, it’s a type of vitamin B3 and naturally forms in your body when it has excess niacin (vitamin B3). The main sources of niacinamide (or nicotinamide) are everyday foods like whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish, and poultry.
Your body uses it to maintain healthy skin cells, support metabolism, and protect the skin barrier from environmental stress.
But, what results in the long list of benefits of niacinamide serum is its ability to multitask. And that makes all the hype around it totally worth it.
Benefits of niacinamide
Niacinamide is an essential, water-soluble vitamin your skin relies on to function properly. Even a 2% niacinamide can result in visible benefits if used consistently. There are many reasons why niacinamide has been stealing the spotlight for years now.
Here are 10 niacinamide serum benefits that are sure to make you love it:
1. Strengthens skin barrier
Think of your skin barrier as a wall. Now, the substances that are holding this wall together are called lipids. According to this study, using niacinamide in skincare stabilizes the barrier function of our skin. This happens because niacinamide increases the production of lipids and in-turn leads to a stronger wall.
2. Has hydrating effects
The thing your skin craves for the most is water. The water content (or moisture) in your skin is essential for proper functioning of the skin. Studies have shown that niacinamide concentration significantly increases skin hydration. The reason? It reduces water loss from the skin by making your skin barrier stronger.
3. Helps curb hyperpigmentation
Niacinamide helps reduce the excess melanin (pigments responsible for skin color) production and also prevents them from entering the skin cells. A study proved that niacinamide reduced hyperpigmentation and resulted in lightness after just 4 weeks.
4. Reduces sebum production
Niacinamide serum for oily skin is an absolute game-changer. That’s because it signals the glands responsible for sebum secretion to form less of it. It also stops sebum from reaching the skin. According to this study, after 2-4 weeks of 2% niacinamide use, sebum production drops by a large amount.
5. Protection against pollutants
Pollutants often cause oxidative stress to the skin, leading to the imbalance of free radicals and anti-oxidants. Niacinamide acts as an anti-oxidant, and helps stabilize the extra free radicals attached to your skin due to environmental factors.
6. Helps with redness and inflammation
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Niacinamide has high anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it is a great ingredient to treat inflammation or redness. Niacinamide of high concentration inhibits inflammation responses and calms irritated skin. It also helps in keeping the irritants out by strengthening the skin barrier.
7. Has anti-aging properties
Niacinamide is rich with anti-aging properties. It helps improve skin elasticity and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. According to the Indian Jurnal of Dermatology, 8 weeks of niacinamide 5% usage resulted in a significant decrease in wrinkles and overall roughness of the skin.
8. Unclogs and minimizes pores
Excess sebum production can lead to clogged pores which then results in enlarged ones. Consistent use of niacinamide helps tackle this problem as they reduce sebum production, having a tightening effect on the skin. Use niacinamide serum for open pores regularly and your skin will begin thriving.
9. Benefits acne-prone skin
Niacinamide helps regulate excess oil, reduces inflammation, calms active breakouts, and strengthens the skin barrier. All of these make acne-prone skin more balanced, resilient, and less reactive over time.
10. Helps in deflecting UV rays
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Even while not being a proper sunscreen, niacinamide boosts the skin’s defense against UV damage. That’s because it minimizes sun-induced stress by reducing inflammation, supporting DNA repair, and strengthening the barrier.
Niacinamide 10% vs 5%: Which one is better?
When it comes to niacinamide, more isn’t always better. Rather, it’s about what your skin can comfortably handle. Though both 5% and 10% niacinamide deliver results, they work at different levels and suit different skin needs.
Understanding this difference can save you from unnecessary irritation and help you get the best out of your routine:
What 5% niacinamide does
A low percentage niacinamide serum is widely considered the sweet spot for daily use. That’s because at this level, niacinamide offers all its benefits without disrupting the skin’s natural balance.
This concentration is the one that suits every skin type (even sensitive ones) without resulting in any side effects. Here’s everything it does for your skin:
- Minimizes pores
- Evens out skin tone
- Calms redness
- Provides hydration
- Controls excess oil production
If you are someone new to niacinamide, then you should go for any best 5 percent niacinamide serum you can find.
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What 10% niacinamide does
10% concentration is for specific, targeted concerns. This higher concentration is often chosen to address stubborn concerns that require a great deal of active ingredients to be treated. It has gained popularity among experienced skincare users because of the following reasons:
- Works faster at regulating sebum
- Refines skin appearance
- Tightens enlarged pores,
- Fades post-acne marks
- Evens out uneven texture
But every good thing comes with a price. Higher niacinamide concentration can cause irritation, redness, tingling, or dryness to some people.
Which one should you choose?
The decision of choosing the right percentage depends on a lot of factors. You need to see what works the best according to your skin. Here are some things you should consider:
Skincare stage: Go for 5% concentration if you are just starting your skincare journey. Once your skin becomes tolerable towards it, go for higher concentrations.
Skin type: Rather than using niacinamide serum 10 percent, go for the 5 percent ones if you have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema.
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Your skincare routine: Though niacinamide works great with every product, pairing it with some active ingredients (like glycolic acid and salicylic acid) can become irritating for your skin.
Frequency of use: If you are wondering ‘can I use 10% niacinamide everyday?’ then the answer is probably no. If you want to use niacinamide daily, go for lower concentration.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, niacinamide isn’t about winning the 5% vs 10% debate. Rather, it’s about knowing your skin well enough to choose peace over chaos.
Niacinamide in high concentration won’t magically fix your skin overnight. And a lower one isn’t ‘doing nothing’ just because it’s gentle. Instead of treating skincare like a competition, nurture it like a long-term friendship.
If your skin likes consistency, calm, and barrier-first care, make 5% niacinamide your daily staple. But if your skin is seasoned, resilient, and asking for a little extra push, 10% niacinamide can deliver.
So read your labels, listen to your skin, and stop letting percentages bully you into irritation. And if you are still confused which one to use, chat with Dewi to get specific answers.
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Frequently asked questions
1. Is 5% niacinamide effective?
Yes, 5% niacinamide is completely effective. It improves skin barrier, texture, oil balance, and tone with consistent daily use.
2. Which niacinamide concentration is best for beginners?
Beginners should start with 5% niacinamide to avoid irritation while achieving visible skin improvements.
3. Does niacinamide help with open pores?
Yes, niacinamide regulates oil production and strengthens skin structure. This minimizes the appearance of pores.
4. Can niacinamide be layered with other actives?
Yes, niacinamide layers well with retinol, hyaluronic acid, and sunscreen when introduced thoughtfully.
5. Can I use 10% niacinamide every day?
Yes, but only if your skin tolerates actives well and is already seasoned with lower percentages. Otherwise, alternate days prevent irritation.
