Once after cleansing your face, have you felt the skin being shiny or greasy? This is where “Oily Skin” comes up. It generally happens because of more sebum production - oil secretion than your skin normally needs. Generally skin has oil content, but when there's little excess, they may lead to clogged pores, greasiness, and even constant breakouts.

When you are someone who has oily skin, the hero ingredient will be “Niacinamide”. It’s also known as Vitamin B3, which is dermatologically tested, and is loved by many of the beauty enthusiasts! Using this in your skincare routine helps in supporting the skin barrier, reduces redness in the skin and minimizes the pore size.

Even though there are a lot of skincare myths, one common question which generally pops up would be - Is niacinamide good for oily skin? The good news is, it’s YES. Here, we can discuss how to incorporate it into your routine.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin, which is a trending ingredient in skincare routine. The main advantage of using them helps in improving your overall skin health; And the best part is, they are loved by all skin types. Some of the benefits include soothing skin, strengthens skin, and also locks the skin hydration.

If you are looking for an option to cure dull skin and fine lines, they work gently and calms the skin. You can find them in various skincare products like moisturizer, face wash, and even in serums.

Even though every skin type loves it, people with oily and acne skin have benefitted more. They regulate and control excess oil production, shrinks large pores, and even reduces upcoming breakouts.

How Niacinamide Helps Oily Skin

Wondering how oily skin folks get more benefits? Choosing oily skincare friendly products helps better. Know more in detail:

Clinical Evidence: What Research Shows

Here is a clinical trials and studies which provides evidence like why niacinamide suits oily and acne-prone skin better:

• Regulates Sebum Production - Study Data - Using 2% niacinamide based products twice in a day will show results in oil secretion.

• Acne Reduction Control – Trial Data - Incorporating 4% niacinamide gel for a couple of months claims that there will be reduction in acne.

• Pore & Texture - Study Data – Adding 5% niacinamide serum for two-couple of months shows results like reducing pore size and gives smoother skin. 

• Hyperpigmentation -  Research – Using 5% niacinamide cream for the whole 12 weeks reduces dark spots and evens out skin tone.

Research also shows that using 2 - 5% of niacinamide based serums helps in controlling sebum production and improves overall skin health.

How to Use Niacinamide for Oily Skin

Niacinamide is one of the versatile product, which you can add in your everyday routine for better results:

• Make sure to always do a Patch Test, before incorporating in your skincare routine.

• If you are a beginner or using niacinamide for the first time, start with 2% - 5%. This will help your skin get used to it. 

• If you have already incorporated skincare routines, you can use them up to 10% to treat excess oiliness and breakouts.

Confused which product should you start up? Here is a simple step that will help: 

• If you want gentle and full-face hydration, you can use “Moisturizers”.

• If you are looking for treatment, go with “Serums”.

• There are also “Face washes” available to start with initially. Ensure to pick the right facewash for better skincare.

You can use them in both AM and PM routines. 

• If you are using an AM routine, incorporate post facewash and toner.

• If you are using a PM routine, use them before night creams.

• You can mix-and-match them with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

• Also ensure to not use active acids and strong acids while using niacinamide-based products.
  
  

Possible Side Effects & Precautions

Niacinamide is one of the safest skincare ingredient which works effectively and have very mild side effects for some people:

1. Make sure to always do a patch test while using it for the first time. You can apply little amount on jawline, and leave for 24hrs.

2. When you have started using it for the first time, little skin redness and irritation happens.

3. When you go with higher percentages like 10% niacinamide and above, they might lead to skin intolerance and lead to sensitivity.

4. When you notice a breakout or irritation, make sure to consult your dermat.

Timeline: What Results to Expect

When you have started incorporating niacinamide in your skincare routine, make sure to use them consistently. If you are someone with oily/acne-prone skin, here is what you can expect:

• Using them in the first 2–4 can make you feel the difference in oil secretion and reduction of shine.

• If you have used it for 4–6 weeks, you will feel less breakouts and redness..

• When you use them consistently for 6–8 weeks, you will feel the pores sizes being reduced and even skin tone.

• When you  use them for more than a couple of months your skin barrier will be strengthened and can see the acne-marks being reduced.
  
  

Conclusion

Niacinamide is one of the gentle ingredients which gives wonderful benefits while incorporating in oily skin folks. They reduce excess oil secretion, shrink pore size, and even work on strengthening your skin barrier.

If you are using it as a beginner, go with 2% - 5%, and you can increase gradually to 10%. Can be used in the AM and PM routine. Even though they are gentle and suits all skin types, make sure to patch tests.

From the above data, you could have got an answer for “ Is niacinamide good for oily skin”. Using the right concentration can be a game changer for healthy and clear skin.

FAQs 

Does niacinamide reduce oil production in skin?

Yes, when you use 2 - 5% of niacinamide products for a couple of weeks, you will find a reduction in oil production.

What percentage of niacinamide is best for oily skin?

Start with a lower percentage initially like 2%. And you can gradually increase it to 10%.

Can niacinamide shrink pores on oily skin?

Yes, if you use them consistently for one month and more. 

Is niacinamide safe for acne-prone oily skin?

Yes, they will be a game-changer for oily and acne prone skin. It’s because they work on oily skin people with concerns like greasiness, breakouts, and excess oil secretion.

Can niacinamide make oily skin worse?

No, if you use them correctly. But if you go with too much, you will see negative effects in the skin.

How often should I use niacinamide for oily skin?

You can use them twice in a day - AM and PM routine.

Can I use niacinamide with other actives on oily skin?

You can pair them with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and retinols. Make sure to not use strong acids, since they damage skin barrier.

How long does niacinamide take to show results on oily skin?

You can see visible changes in 2weeks for oil secretion, and in a month on breakouts and pore-size.

Is niacinamide serum better than cream for oily skin?

For oily skin, serum is a better option. It’s because they are light in texture unlike creams.

Can people with sensitive oily skin use niacinamide?

Yes, they are generally considered safe. But make sure to do a patch test before incorporating it in your routine.