What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. It is water-soluble, stable and very well tolerated, which is why it has become one of the most popular ingredients in skincare. You will find it in serums, toners, pads, moisturisers, sunscreens and even body lotions, at strengths that usually range from 2% to 20%.
What makes niacinamide special is its range. It helps with oil, the look of pores, uneven tone, redness and barrier strength at the same time, and it rarely clashes with other ingredients. For most people, it is the easiest "active" to add to a routine.
Niacinamide benefits: what it does for your skin
Balances oil and refines the look of pores
Niacinamide helps regulate how much oil skin produces, so shiny T-zones look more matte and pores appear smaller over time.
Evens out tone and post-acne marks
It slows the transfer of pigment to the skin's surface, which helps dark spots and patchy areas fade gradually, especially when paired with sunscreen.
Strengthens the skin barrier
Niacinamide supports the skin's own ceramide production, helping it hold moisture and handle everyday irritation better.
Calms redness
Its soothing effect helps settle the redness that comes with breakouts, sun and sensitivity.
Supports a smoother, healthier glow
With steady use, skin tends to look smoother, more even and more radiant overall.
Niacinamide for your skin type
Is niacinamide good for oily skin?
Yes, oily and acne-prone skin are where niacinamide shines. A lightweight serum in the morning helps control shine through hot, humid days, and at night it supports skin while acne treatments do their work. Pair it with zinc or a BHA toner from our salicylic acid edit for congested pores.
Niacinamide for sensitive skin
Sensitive skin usually does best with 2% to 5% niacinamide. Higher strengths can cause temporary redness or tingling in some people. Combine it with calming centella from our centella edit.
Niacinamide for dry skin
Dry skin benefits from niacinamide's barrier support. Choose it in a cream or follow your serum with a rich moisturiser so it never feels tight.
Niacinamide for pigmentation
For marks and uneven tone, niacinamide works especially well with tranexamic acid, alpha arbutin or vitamin C, plus daily sunscreen.
Which niacinamide strength should you choose?
StrengthBest forTip
2% to 5%Sensitive, dry or first-time usersEasy to use twice daily
10%Oily skin, visible pores, marksThe most popular all-rounder
15% to 20%Experienced users with resilient skinStart every other day
Higher strength does not always mean better results. Many studies show clear benefits at 4% to 5%, and lower strengths are less likely to cause redness.
Best niacinamide products in Pakistan
These are our most-loved niacinamide products. Each product page explains the strength, texture and how to use it.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
A simple, budget-friendly serum for oil and pores.
ANUA Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Niacinamide with tranexamic acid for stubborn marks.
ANUA Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum 30ml
A glowy, hydrating niacinamide serum for dull skin.
Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide 30ml
Propolis and niacinamide for calm, glowing skin.
COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 20ml
A higher-strength serum for experienced users.
Medicube TXA Niacinamide 15 Serum 30ml
A concentrated TXA and niacinamide serum for patchy tone.
ANUA Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Pad 60EA
Easy brightening pads for quick morning routines.
How to use niacinamide in your routine
Where to add it
Apply niacinamide after cleansing and toning and before moisturiser. Serums go on before creams; if your niacinamide is in a moisturiser or sunscreen, use it at that step instead.
How to use a niacinamide serum
- Cleanse and apply toner.
- Press two to three drops into the whole face.
- Follow with moisturiser, and sunscreen in the morning.
Using niacinamide at night
Niacinamide works just as well at night. It can sit alongside retinoids or after exfoliating toners, helping skin stay calm while those stronger steps work.
Can you put niacinamide under the eyes?
Yes, gently. Use a small amount and stay outside the orbital bone, or choose an eye cream that includes niacinamide.
What can you mix with niacinamide?
Niacinamide with tranexamic acid
One of the best pairs for dark spots. Many serums now combine them, and they can also be layered.
Niacinamide with vitamin C
The old advice that they cancel each other out comes from outdated studies. Modern formulas can be used together or at different times of day. See our vitamin C edit.
Niacinamide with retinol
A great combination: niacinamide reduces the dryness and redness that retinoids can cause. You can apply them one after the other without a long wait. Explore our retinol edit.
Niacinamide after an AHA or BHA toner
Yes, you can apply niacinamide after an exfoliating toner. If your skin is sensitive, let the toner absorb for a minute first. Pair it with peptides for a smoother look.
Niacinamide compared with other brightening ingredients
Niacinamide vs tranexamic acid
Niacinamide is the broader all-rounder: oil, pores, barrier and tone. Tranexamic acid is more specialised, targeting stubborn patches and melasma-type pigmentation. Used together, they cover each other's gaps, which is why so many Korean brightening serums now pair them.
Niacinamide vs vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that brightens and helps defend skin during the day, but some forms can sting or oxidise. Niacinamide is gentler and more stable. Many routines use vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide in the evening, or both together.
Niacinamide vs alpha arbutin
Alpha arbutin focuses on pigment, while niacinamide adds oil and barrier benefits. They layer well for people with marks and oily skin.
Simple niacinamide routines by goal
For oily skin and visible pores
Morning: gel cleanser, niacinamide 10% serum, light gel moisturiser, matte sunscreen. Evening: cleanse, BHA toner two or three nights a week, niacinamide serum, gel cream.
For post-acne marks and uneven tone
Morning: gentle cleanser, vitamin C or a niacinamide and TXA serum, moisturiser, SPF 50. Evening: cleanse, niacinamide serum, a retinoid two or three nights a week, moisturiser.
For sensitive or easily red skin
Morning and evening: mild cleanser, a 2% to 5% niacinamide product, a centella or ceramide cream, and a gentle sunscreen in the day. Add stronger actives only once your skin feels settled.
Common niacinamide myths
"Niacinamide and vitamin C cannot be used together"
This idea comes from old studies using pure ingredients at high heat. Modern skincare formulas can be used together safely.
"The higher the percentage, the better"
Lower strengths often give the same benefits with less risk of redness. Start low and increase only if your skin wants more.
"Niacinamide is only for oily skin"
Its barrier and calming benefits make it just as useful for dry and sensitive skin, especially in a creamy formula.
How long does niacinamide take to work?
Oil control can be noticeable within two to four weeks. Pores, texture and post-acne marks usually show improvement after eight to twelve weeks of twice-daily use. Like most skincare, consistency matters more than strength.
Niacinamide side effects and who should be careful
Niacinamide is very well tolerated. A small number of people notice redness, warmth or tingling, usually with high strengths of 10% or more. If that happens, switch to a lower strength or use it once a day. Pilling can occur if you layer too many products; give each step time to absorb.
Niacinamide for Pakistan's climate
In hot, humid months, a niacinamide serum is one of the best ways to keep shine down without drying skin out, making it a summer essential. In winter, combine it with a richer moisturiser to support the barrier against dry air and hot water.
How to store niacinamide and how long it lasts
Niacinamide is one of the most stable actives, so it does not need a fridge. Keep the bottle closed, away from direct sun and out of hot cars, and use it within the period shown by the open-jar symbol on the pack, usually around 12 months. If a serum changes colour, smell or texture, replace it. A 30ml serum used twice a day typically lasts two to three months, which makes it one of the most affordable ways to see visible change in your skin.
Shop niacinamide by brand
How to buy original niacinamide skincare in Pakistan
Bestselling niacinamide serums are some of the most copied skincare products. Buy only from sellers who source directly through the brands' official channels, check that batch and expiry codes are printed clearly, and avoid prices far below the usual range. Every niacinamide product at YESBEAUTY is 100% original and backed by our 7-day authenticity return guarantee.
Every niacinamide product at YESBEAUTY
ANUA
- ANUA Peach 70% Niacinamide Serum 30ml
- ANUA Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- ANUA Niacinamide 5 TXA Brightening Pad 60EA
- ANUA Niacinamide TXA Brightening Booster Toner 250ml
APLB
- APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Facial Cream 55ml
- APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Ampoule Serum 40ml
- APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Sheet Mask 25ml -Brightening Mask
- APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Body Lotion 300ml
Beauty of Joseon
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Niacinamide Sunscreen SPF50+ 50ml
- Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide 30ml