You know what they say: everyone’s skin is different. What works for one person may not work for another. Backfire, even.
I totally agree. And yet…
There’s an exception to the rule: Niacinamide. This is an ingredient absolutely anyone can use. It does everything you want it to, and yet it’s so gentle, it won’t irritate skin.
But then…. Why does The Inkey List Niacinamide claims to be “a dream come true for oily skin” only? That’s the marketing spiel. This serum is Beautiful with Brains approved for all skin types. Here’s why:
What’s In The Inkey List Niacinamide?
NIACINAMIDE
Niacinamide is the undisputed star of The Inkey List Niacinamide. This form of Vitamin B3 does everything for your skin:
- It hydrates skin: It’s more effective than petrolatum at preventing water loss
- It soothes skin: It alleviates the symptoms of rosacea and irritations
- It lightens skin: It reduces dark spots, blotchiness (redness) and sallowness (yellowing)
- It helps treat wrinkles: Preliminary research shows it can boost the production of skin-firming collagen
- It treats acne: Its effects are similar to those of 1% clindamycin gel
No matter what your skin type is, it’s a must for everyone:
- Dry skin: it helps keep it soft and hydrated
- Oily skin: it helps shrink large pores and heal pimples faster
- Sensitive skin: it helps soothe redness and irritations
- Mature, sun-damaged skin: it helps lighten dark spots and keep wrinkles at bay
See why I recommend it to everyone, now?
Related: The Complete Guide To Niacinamide: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
SQUALANE
Squalane is a non-comedogenic oil that works for everyone, including bacterial and fungal acne sufferers.
It’s super moisturising. Squalane is almost identical to human sebum, so your skin instantly recognises it and allows it to sink in quickly – no greasy residue whatsoever.
Its main job is to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, a feat that moisturises skin by keeping water in it. If this barrier is intact and healthy, water can’t evaporate into thin air.
Plus, this barrier helps protect skin from the assaults of harsh weather, pollutants, and bacteria, preventing both dryness and irritations.
Related: Squalane Oil: What It Is And How Does It Benefit Skin?
Texture
The Inkey List Niacinamide has a gel texture that feels a little tacky for the first few seconds. But it absorbs quickly, leaving no residue behind.
Fragrance
It’s fragrance-free.
How To Use It
Morning and night, after cleansing and exfoliation.
Performance & Personal Opinion
I’m a skincare minimalist. Most mornings, I cleanse, follow up with vitamin C serum and end my routine with sunscreen. Why add more steps if you don’t need it?
In winter, my skin does need a little extra care. What does it crave? Moisture. That’s where The Inkey List Niacinamide comes in. I slather it on in between Vitamin C and sunscreen to up my moisturizing game.
It works. The serum does a wonderful job at strengthening my skin’s protective barrier. How do I know? For starters, my skin feels so soft and plumper straight after application.
But the main evidence is this: I can walk around freezing London for days and my skin never gets worse for wear. There’s no tell-tale sign of dryness or flakiness that lets me know my skin’s barrier’s compromised. Thanks, Niacinamide!
I’ve also noticed that, whenever I use niacinamide, the large pores around my nose area look smaller. Instead, I can’t stay I’ve seen a reduction in oil production or breakouts, but then my skin isn’t that oily to begin with.
But I’ll tell you this: if I were dealing with very oily, acne-prone skin, I’d go with The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc. Zinc makes it more drying than The Inkey List Niacinamide, but it’s also better at keeping excess oil production under control.
Instead, my main concerns are dryness and antiaging. When I’m done with The Inkey List Niacinamide, I’m going back to my beloved Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster.
I know it’s way more expensive, but there’s a reason for that: it has antioxidants (like Vitamin C), skin-lightening ingredients and soothing agents that help fight the premature signs of aging, like wrinkles and dark spots.
The Inkey List Niacinamide only has one antiaging superstar (that’s niacinamide, duh!), so you’ll see results on a smaller scale. Unless…
If you’re already using moisturisers and serums with Vitamin C & co and wondering how the heck to incorporate Niacinamide too, this is it. It’s a basic formula that won’t interfere with anything else you’re using.
Related: Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster Full Review
Who Is This For?
Anyone who’s currently not using niacinamide into their skincare routine. It’s a basic formula that’s easy to incorporate without interfering with other antiaging actives.
Related: Mix And Match: Which Skincare Ingredients Should You NOT Use Together?
Who Is This Not For?
- Oily and acne-prone skin: You’ll benefit more from a niacinamide product with zinc.
- Anyone who wants a more multitasking antiaging product: This only gives you niacinamide, without any extra antioxidants or soothing ingredients.
Related: 5 Antiaging Superstars You Should Add To Your Skincare Routine
Packaging
The Inkey List Niacinamide comes in a sleek black and white bottle. It’s cute, but small. It only gives you 30ml of product.
Does The Inkey List Niacinamide Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, power packed serum that contains 10% Niacinamide, a naturally occurring B3 vitamin that helps to reduce excess oil, blemishes and redness. | True. |
| Additionally formulated with 1% Hyaluronic Acid for added hydration. | True again. |
Price & Availability
$6.99/£6.99 at Asos, Cult Beauty, and Feel Unique
Do You Need It?
If you’re not using Niacinamide yet, and are looking for a cheap way to add it to your skincare routine without interfering with your other actives, definitely check out The Inkey List Niacinamide.
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Dupes & Alternatives
- Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster ($44.00)
- Skin Inc Supplement Bar Vitamin B3+ Serum ($35.00)
- The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide + 1% Zinc (£5.00)
Ingredients
Water (Aqua/ Eau), Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phospholipids, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Allantoin, Disodium Edta, Polysorbate 60, Panthenol, Glycolipids, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterol, Disodium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate.
My derm recently put me on Retin-A, which my skin tolerates with no trouble. Should I use the niacinamide before or after Retin-A application?
Karen, if your skin tolerates it well, apply niacinamide after Retin-A.
Hi Gio
going through a skin journey and found your blog – awesome! I’m seeing mixed info online about mixing niacinamide and vitamin c. Some say they cancel each other out? I have a rosehip and vitamin C oil I love, and a niacinamide 10% with 1% zinc serum – what are your thoughts? Thanks, Nancy
Nancy, it’s a myth. You can totally use them together. The only exception is if you experience flushing, but this is rare. I debunk the myth here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/use-vitamin-c-niacinamide-together/
Hi Gio,
So I have been adding niacinamide in my routine and I am using it for more or less 5 weeks now. It actually made my skin worse, I have more breakouts and also a concentration of small comedones/underlying whiteheads. Is it possible that my skin just doesn’t like it? I have normal to dry skin with occasional breakouts but was looking for something to brighten my scars, hence the niacinamide. Do you think I should persevere or does 5 weeks say enough about it being not good with my skin? I use the Ordinary niacinamide.
Thank you
Elena, everything is possible, as everyone’s skin is so different. But bad reactions to niacinamide are very rare, unless you use a very high concentration. Another explanation is that there’s something else in the product – usually an oil or irritating natural extract – that could cause the problems. Either way, ditch the product, it’s clear your skin doesn’t like it.
Hi Elena and Gio, I’ve used the niacinamide from the Ordinary and this happend to me as well! When I stoped using it the breakouts went away. I’m very stubborn so I tried it again and the same reaction happend to my skin? I also have this reaction from other products from the ordinary like the lactic acid. I’m wanting to try this niacinamide from the Inkey List but I’m a little scared to have this reaction again. Should I just try it and what could be the ingredient that gives me these breakouts? Thank you in advance!