Why We Should Be Using Niacinamide On Our Bodies (And Not Just Our Faces)

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Why We Should Be Using Niacinamide On Our Bodies (And Not Just Our Faces)

Niacinamide has had a busy few years. Outside of topping just about every must-have skin care list, this active ingredient has also been hard at work helping to fade pigmentation, clear acne and hydrate dry skin. Though we can all agree that perhaps niacinamide deserves a break, we’re actually here to advise the complete opposite.

Yes that’s right, we want you to start using niacinamide even more. This time across your entire body and not just your face.

Guilty of reserving ‘the good stuff’ for your neck up? Yeah, us too. More often than not, there’s simply not enough of our pricey serum to go round.

The thought of trying to make one small dropper bottle cover our arms, legs, and chest? Laughable. 

Why should we be applying niacinamide to our bodies?

Acne, fine lines, sun damage, dark spots and dry patches aren’t exclusive to our faces. They can (and do) surface across our entire bodies, which is why it’s imperative that we show the rest of our skin the same level of TLC as we do our faces.

Luckily for our skin (and wallets), many body care brands are enriching their formulations with a variation of hard-hitting ingredients like niacinamide (but also hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, panthenol and Kakadu plum).

Which skin types are best suited for niacinamide?

All of them. Unlike other active ingredients, niacinamide is well tolerated by all skin types. So those with rosacea-prone or sensitive skin, feel free to add to cart.

What are the best niacinamide products for your body?

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Lait Body Milk

We say: Formulated for dry skin that is prone to redness and sensitivities, this ultra-hydrating cream works to restore the glow and suppleness to skin almost overnight. Stripping away the bells and whistles, this no-nonsense moisturising lotion (that’s a popular pick in French pharmacies) means business.

You say: “It is a medium-thick consistency white cream with an ultra-light texture. Its barely there scent is good for those who are sensitive to fragrances. Being winters, my usual dry skin gets extremely dry especially my arms and décolletage and I have been applying this cream on the extreme dry areas of my skin once in the morning after shower and I have noticed it helps a lot in keeping those dry areas moisturised throughout the day.” – Sweety7

Want to know more? Read La Roche-Posay Lipikar Lait Body Milk reviews here…

$36.95 at Adore Beauty

BIODERMA Atoderm Crème Nourishing Moisturiser 

We say: Another French pharmacy banger, BIODERMA’s extra gentle and nourishing range (which can be best identified for its blue cap) has been created for the skin types which are prone to a flare up or patch of dryness and irritation. Quick to absorb and fast to soothe, apply a light layer after your shower and this niacinamide-enriched cream to repair, restore and renew.

You say: “The Atoderm cream is silky, nourishing and fast absorbing on the skin. I use this both day and night on my face and my skin is looking more radiant and hydrated than before.” – FRIEND

Want to know more? Read BIODERMA Atoderm Crème Nourishing Moisturiser reviews here…

$22.99 at Adore Beauty

DU’IT Tough Body

We say: As far as bang for your buck is concerned, DU’IT’s Tough Body takes the cake. For under $15, enjoy a non-greasy, supercharged formulation packed with niacinamide to boost radiance and Kakadu plum to hydrate and firm from within.

Have you tried the DU’IT Tough Body? Leave a review here…

$14.95 at David Jones Pharmacy

QV Ceramides Cleanser

We say: Suitable for all skin types, all budgets and all shower shelves. Thanks to the inclusion of three different ceramides, niacinamide and an impressive 15 per cent of glycerin, apply QV’s cleanser to both your face and body for a hydrated, balanced and glowing result.

Have you tried the QV Ceramides Cleanser? Leave a review here…

$10.39 at Chemist Warehouse

Main image credit: @xoxotsumi

Have you ever tried niacinamide on your body? Will you give it a go?

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Comments 115

  1. Is 1% Niacinamide enough to see changes? I use The Ordinary’s 10% so am concerned that this product wouldn’t have enough Niacinamide to see a substantial difference outside of moisturising regularly.

    • i have heard a lot of good things about The Ordinary’s Niacinamide. i will say that it personally did not work for me, but i know quite a few people who like it. price isn’t bad either. it kept pilling when i used it when i found really frustrating

  2. Total newbie to niacinamide – just started using it and wow the difference to my acne scars has been huge. I don’t know how effective 1% over a larger area would be. Interested to see how this went when used long term.

  3. Since the skin on our body is thicker it would tolerate and need to use equal to higher percentages of certain ingredients for there to be a visible difference from what I’ve read on my quest to getting my great skin back.
    As some said ..there’s 10% available for the face so having 1% for the body barely makes sense but it is a start..maybe there are other brands already incorporating vitamin B3 in their lotions and creams for the body but they just haven’t been hyped yet?

    Another thing to remember is that it isn’t always about the percentage of an ingredient present in a product but the quality of the ingredients used which also plays a big part in the results you would achieve.

  4. La Roche Posay Niacinamide Serum is fab I’ve noticed it really helping my skin making it plump and reducing my acne marks. I use every morning for the last 2 months so far

  5. I bought the cranberry one from Woolworths and I have to say it is a waste of money! The fragrance is Hideous, to me it reeks like toilet freshener and it hangs around for ages!!! Vaseline have never had a great track record with fragrance in their products, I was hoping this one would be different as I really wanted to like it but alas, NO!

  6. I love niacinamide!!! I use The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide and find it helps brighten my complexion and smooth the tone of my skin. I do have legs that are quite bumpy, almost like that KP(chicken skin) I have been using the niacinamide on them about 3x week and also some glycolic acid followed by moistures and it’s helping clear back of my legs! This Vaseline cream doesn’t sound strong enough though!!

  7. At first I thought they came out as body wash but after double checking, It wasn’t body wash. The colour is striking. An interesting choice of colour way. If I have to pick, I would get Cranberry.

  8. niacinamide body lotions that should of been listed:

    mecca own brand niacinamide 10percent body serum

    syngerine niacinamide body cream 10

    paulas choice niacinamide body lotion

    youre welcome