Niacinamide is one of the best additions to a skincare routine for two reasons. First, it’s well-researched and has been proven to have a number of benefits to the skin. Second, unlike most powerful skin actives, it’s gentle, non-irritating, and stable, so you don’t need to worry about overuse (like with retinoids or AHAs) or the formula breaking down (like with vitamin C serums).

In one study of 50 women with clinical signs of skin aging, they applied a 5% niacinamide cream to half their face twice daily for 12 weeks, and applied the same cream minus niacinamide to the other half. After 12 weeks, the niacinamide side showed significant improvements in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, the fading of hyperpigmentation spots, and an increase in skin elasticity.

In another study, volunteers applied a niacinamide cream to one forearm and a vehicle cream to the other forearm. After 28 days, the side with the niacinamide showed less inflammation, lower transepidermal water loss (the primary measure of moisture barrier health), and thicker moisture barriers.

Niacinamide works particularly well when paired with other actives, like n-acetyl glucosamine (find it in Rewind) and panthenol (find it in Rewind and Liquid Gold).