Apply niacinamide serum in the morning and evening, after cleansing and before moisturizer. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps balance oil and make pores look smaller and clearer.
Use it daily if your nose, chin, or forehead turn shiny or show blackheads. It lowers visible oil, but it does not dissolve existing pore plugs alone. Pair it with a pore-clearing ingredient and give the routine time to work.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Official resources:
- Read the original research from NIH — Use this page to review the original research.
- Read the original research from NIH — Use this page to review the original research.
Table of Contents
- What Does Niacinamide Do for Blackhead-Prone Skin?
- Where Does It Fit in Your Routine?
- How Should You Combine It With Pore-Clearing Treatments?
- When Should You Wait or Change the Plan?
What Does Niacinamide Do for Blackhead-Prone Skin?
Cleveland Clinic explains that topical niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, balances oil, and supports cell turnover in its niacinamide overview. Clearer turnover and steadier oil make pores look smaller and clearer. In Japanese and U.S.
trials, 2% niacinamide lowered sebum after two and four weeks, per U.S. National Library of Medicine in the PubMed record. A 2017 review in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology linked that lower oil to care for oily, blackhead-prone skin.
Where Does It Fit in Your Routine?
Dr. Brandt Skincare advises applying niacinamide serum after cleansing and before moisturizer or heavier creams in its usage guidance.
Use moisturizer after the serum, plus sunscreen in the morning. The Ordinary directs users to apply a few drops to the face morning and evening. Patch-test first and stop use if irritation occurs.
- Cleanse face.
- Apply niacinamide serum.
- Follow with moisturizer, plus sunscreen in the morning.
How Should You Combine It With Pore-Clearing Treatments?
The INKEY List recommends daily niacinamide to regulate oil and reduce pore appearance, plus salicylic acid to clear existing plugs. One routine uses niacinamide daily and salicylic acid two to three evenings weekly.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends adapalene 0.1% to unclog pores for blackheads and whiteheads in its breakout guidance. It also pairs that retinoid approach with benzoyl-peroxide wash, while salicylic acid eases inflammation and unclogs pores.
When Should You Wait or Change the Plan?
The Ordinary and AAD guidance note niacinamide balances visible sebum but is not an acne treatment alone. Persistent blackheads need salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoid care.
Allow six to eight weeks before judging results. If irritation starts, pause niacinamide, and if blackheads persist, keep the pore-clearing step and seek dermatology care.