Niacinamide Is Suddenly in Everything, Everywhere. But Is It Too Much of a Good Thing?

When news of Armani’s reformulated Luminous Silk foundation dropped late last year, beauty fans took to Instagram comments to share their excitement, curiosity, and disappointment—mostly in the brand’s choice to include the popular skincare ingredient niacinamide. “Ugh, my skin hates niacinamide,” wrote one user, while another added: “Please not more niacinamide.” “Although niacinamide is often marketed as a gentle ingredient, I have seen patients develop irritation from it,” says Mona Foad , a board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology . “It's not because niacinamide is inherently harsh, but usually because consumers are layering multiple products containing the ingredient or choosing formulations with intense, high concentrations. As niacinamide has become more common, people may unknowingly be layering it several times throughout their routine, and this is what can increase the risk of redness, stinging, or irritation, especially in sensitive skin types.” “I don't think niacinamide is a passing trend. It has a strong amount of research behind it and offers real benefits for many patients,” says Foad. “However, not every product needs to contain it. I would rather see patients use a few well-formulated products consistently than feel pressured to chase a single ingredient in every step of their routine.”