Everyone is talking about niacinamide these days, so let’s dive into the history of its popularity and uncover why this ingredient has become such a skincare superstar.
First, a Bit of Theory
Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, which is found in meat, fish, wheat, and vegetables. It was discovered between 1935 and 1937. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, niacinamide smooths the skin’s surface and aids in wound healing. It has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, restorative, and brightening properties. If you have acne, look for products with 4% niacinamide; for a damaged lipid barrier, 2%; and for pigmentation, 5%. By the way, the niacinamide used in cosmetic products is synthesized chemically.
According to PubMed, there have been no scientific breakthroughs related to niacinamide in recent years – its effectiveness was proven in clinical settings many years ago. The first mass skincare line with niacinamide seems to have been launched by Olay back in 2000. So how did it become a buzzword only recently?
Blame TikTok and The Ordinary
According to Google Trends, the popularity of the search term “niacinamide” began to rise in 2016 with the emergence of The Ordinary. Over time, the Canadian brand became the most popular on TikTok by hashtags and number of followers (some say it all started with reviews of their famous Peeling Solution). The Guardian reports that at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, people were buying The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum every three seconds (how did they count that?), again, thanks to TikTok.
It seems the Canadians had a hand in the rise of vitamin B3’s popularity. Thanks to Brandon Truaxe for his contribution to cosmetic chemistry!
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