What is niacinamide and why is it in so many creams?

What is niacinamide?

Also called nicotinamide, it is the water-soluble form of vitamin B3. In the ingredient list on a pack you will see it as “Niacinamide”. It is popular in skincare because it combines easily with other ingredients, so you will find it in light serums and rich creams alike, in morning and evening products.

What does this ingredient do for skin?

It plays several roles in skincare. In Medicube products it is linked mainly to three goals:

• A more even complexion. For Collagen Night Wrapping Mask, Medicube writes that it gives a smoother, more even-looking complexion.
• A clear, radiant look. The pink serum gives a clear, radiant-looking complexion.
• A smooth surface. In the vitamin C cream, it supports smooth skin and an even tone.

It often sits alongside hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramide and collagen. That way one product looks after both hydration and the complexion.

Which products contain it?

Here are five Medicube products that contain it, and how they differ:

• Deep Vita C Capsule Cream is a 55 g cream whose golden capsules hold stabilized liposomal vitamin C, 50% sea buckthorn extract and 5% niacinamide. You blend the capsules with a clear gel on your palm.
• PDRN Pink Peptide Serum is a light 30 ml serum that combines salmon DNA, peptides and the vitamin B3 form.
• Collagen Night Wrapping Mask is a 75 ml overnight mask that dries into a thin film on the skin.
• Kojic Acid Turmeric is a golden gel mask with kojic acid, turmeric and the same vitamin B3 as key ingredients.
• Collagen Jelly Cream is a 110 ml gel cream with collagen, niacinamide and squalane as key ingredients.

You will find more choice among our face serums and face creams.

How do you use these products?

You can use this ingredient both morning and evening. The simplest approach is to choose one serum and one cream and use them in this order: cleanser, toner, serum, cream. In the morning, finish with sunscreen.

If you use the vitamin C cream, mix the capsules and gel in these proportions: 2 parts gel to 1 part capsules for oily skin, 1:1 for normal and combination skin, and 1 part gel to 2 parts capsules for dry and sensitive skin. The overnight mask is the last evening step, after serum and cream.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use it together with vitamin C?

Yes. Medicube’s Deep Vita C Capsule Cream holds both ingredients in the same jar, and the pink serum also works alongside vitamin C and retinol.

Does it suit oily skin?

The pink serum is suitable for all skin types, including oily and sensitive skin. The light texture does not weigh skin down.

Can I use it every day?

Yes. The serum and creams suit both morning and evening care. You can see all the brand’s products on the Medicube page.