Niacinamide powder, also known as vitamin B3, has become a popular skincare ingredient due to its many benefits for the skin.
Keep reading to learn exactly what niacinamide powder is, what it does for your skin, and how to properly mix and apply it into your skincare routine.
Table of Contents
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, an essential nutrient that plays various roles in the body. When applied topically, niacinamide provides numerous skin benefits by:
- Balancing visible sebum activity
- Minimizing the appearance of pores
- Improving uneven skin texture
- Restoring radiance and brightness
Decades of research have shown niacinamide to be safe and extremely effective for various skin types and concerns.
What is The Ordinary’s Niacinamide Powder?
The Ordinary offers an ultra-fine 100% Niacinamide Powder that provides the most direct exposure of topical niacinamide possible.
As a pure powder containing 100% niacinamide, it allows you to customize the concentration based on your own skin’s needs by mixing it into water-based serums and moisturizers.
Key Takeaway: The Ordinary's Niacinamide Powder contains pure 100% niacinamide to mix into water-based products like serums and moisturizers. This allows you to personalize the niacinamide strength.
What Skin Concerns does Niacinamide Powder Target?
By offering pure niacinamide, The Ordinary’s powder format targets:
- Visible shine:Reduces oiliness and brightens dull complexions
- Enlarged pores:Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Irregular texture:Evens out rough skin texture
The niacinamide powder helps tackle these concerns by controlling sebum production, boosting ceramide levels, and refining the surface layer of skin.
And since you can customize the concentration after mixing it into other products, the powder allows you to cater strength towards your particular skin type and needs.
For those struggling with excessive shine, highly visible pores, or uneven bumpy texture, niacinamide powder helps transforms the skin to become smoother, balanced and radiant.
When and How to Apply Niacinamide Powder
Using The Ordinary’s Niacinamide Powder properly is important to reap all the brightening, smoothing benefits while avoiding issues.
Here are simple step-by-step instructions to mix and apply it correctly:
Step 1: Mix Powder into a Water-Based Product
With clean hands, first take 1/4 scoop of the niacinamide powder (using the spoon provided) and pour it into your palm.
Next, add 4 drops of a water-based, non-conflicting serum or moisturizer like:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Buffet serum
- Natural moisturizing factors (NMF)
Rub hands together to fully dissolve the powder into the base. It should blend smoothly without any grittiness.
Key Takeaway: Mix 1/4 spoonful of niacinamide powder with 4 drops of a water-based serum or moisturizer until dissolved completely.
Step 2: Apply to Clean Skin
After properly mixing together, apply the niacinamide solution evenly all over your face including the neck and chest if desired.
Use morning and/or evening as part of your regular skincare regimen. Avoid the eye area and rinse if contact occurs.
Step 3: Wash Hands
Make sure to wash hands thoroughly after applying the topical niacinamide treatment.
What Products Can You Mix Niacinamide Powder With?
Since niacinamide powder must dissolve fully into water-based solutions, it's crucial to know what serum and moisturizer bases it can and cannot be combined with.
Here is an overview of compatible mixing bases:
Compatible Bases for Mixing
- Hyaluronic acid: Most hydrating base, but can be sticky
- Natural moisturizing factors (NMF): Lightweight hydration without stickiness
- Buffet serum: Multi-peptide anti-aging serum
- Argireline solution: Peptide + hyaluronic acid serum
And products you should not mix powder with:
- Formulas under pH 5 or over pH 7
- Direct acids like AHAs, BHAs, PHAs
- Vitamin C(L-ascorbic acid, etc.)
- Oily bases like facial oils or petrolatum
Using an optimal mixing base between pH 5.1–7 ensures proper stability and maximizes effectiveness.
Key Takeaway: Mix niacinamide with water-based serums like hyaluronic acid or peptide formulas. Do not combine with products containing vitamin C or exfoliating acids.
| Compatible Bases for Niacinamide Powder | Conflicting Bases to Avoid Mixing |
|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid | Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) |
| Natural moisturizing factors | Direct acids (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs) |
| Peptide serums (Buffet) | Facial oils |
| Argireline solution | Petrolatum |
Benefits of The Ordinary Niacinamide Powder vs. Serum
You may be wondering—if The Ordinary already makes a bestselling 10% Niacinamide + Zinc serum, what makes the powder version different and potentially better?
Here’s how the niacinamide powder compares:
- Higher niacinamide concentration: After mixing 1/4 spoonful into a serum base, the estimated niacinamide content is around 10-15% whereas the serum contains 10%.
- No zinc: Zinc can cause irritation and inflammation for some skin types. The powder avoids this potential downside.
- Customizable percentage: You control the precise percentage by how much powder you use. Tailor it to your own skin tolerance and needs.
- Mix with other actives: Choosing your preferred serum base allows you to combine niacinamide with other helpful ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides etc. The niacinamide serum only contains niacinamide plus zinc.
So for those that reacted negatively to zinc, need a higher niacinamide concentration, or want the flexibility of combining it with other anti-aging serums, The Ordinary powder offers a more customizable alternative.
How to Store Niacinamide Powder Properly
To retain the best potency and effectiveness over time, be sure to store niacinamide powder correctly:
- Keep powder in acool, dry placeaway from moisture, humidity and direct light
- Store at normal room temperature; avoid temperature extremes
- Seal jartightlyafter each use
- Do not transfer to containers without an airtight seal
When kept in proper storage conditions away from light, heat, air exposure and moisture, the ultra-fine powder should retain stability for the duration of the expiry date printed.
If you ever notice changes in texture, appearance or smell, it’s best to replace with a fresh jar.
FAQs
Does niacinamide powder cause irritation to sensitive skin types?
As a generally well-tolerated ingredient, most skin types can use niacinamide powder without irritation. However, it’s always best to do a patch test first before applying all over the face. Start with a modest concentration and monitor for any reaction before increasing strength.
Can I mix niacinamide powder with other actives like retinol or vitamin C?
You can safely mix niacinamide powder with retinol and most other actives. However, avoid combining it with vitamin C products as this combination can be unstable and possibly cancel out effectiveness. Use vitamin C and niacinamide at separate times of day instead.
How long does niacinamide powder last before expiration?
There is no posted “period after opening” for niacinamide powder. But an expiry date is printed on the packaging which applies to unopened powder kept in proper storage conditions away from heat, air, light and moisture exposure.
Is niacinamide powder comedogenic (pore-clogging)?
No, niacinamide is non-comedogenic so it does not clog pores or create acne breakouts. In fact, it helps clean and tighten enlarged pores by regulating sebum production. Those prone to congestion can use niacinamide without worrying about it causing any new blemishes.
Conclusion
Niacinamide powder offers an innovative way to incorporate the many proven brightening and smoothing benefits of niacinamide into your skincare routine.
By providing the ingredient in an ultra-fine pure powder format, you can personally customize and control the niacinamide concentration after mixing it into water-based serums and moisturizers.
This allows catering the percentage to your particular skin needs whether you desire gentle everyday use or maximum strength to tackle textural irregularities, enlarged pores, excessive shininess or dullness.
