If you’re looking for a way to level-up your bodycare routine, you might want to think about including niacinamide in your beauty cupboard.

This barrier-boosting antioxidant can help fight hyperpigmentation, oily skin, acne, uneven skin tone and dehydration.

How does niacinamide work again?

Dr Magnus Lynch, consultant dermatologist and surgeon, tells Stylist: “Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. It has several beneficial effects on the skin: it is an antioxidant and can reduce the impact of oxidative damage, it improves skin barrier function maintaining skin hydration, and it can treat pigmentation by reducing the transfer of pigment to skin cells.”

What skin types can niacinamide work for?

“Niacinamide has benefits for all skin types,” Dr Lynch explains. “It is particularly good for dry skin, since it can improve the skin barrier function, and for patients concerned by increased pigmentation.”

What sort of bodycare products should people look out for?

“Lotions are good for dry skin,” says Dr Lynch. “Serums are helpful for more targeted areas; for example, if there are pigmentation concerns.”

How long should it take before you see results?

“Generally,” says Dr Lynch, “some improvement can be noticeable within a few weeks of consistent use for dryness and inflammation-prone skin. For pigmentation, it may take months before you start to see the benefits. Consistency is important to achieve the best results.”

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