Paula's Choice is well-known for its boosters, and the multi-tasking niacinamide booster offers a variety of benefits that are useful for all skin types and concerns. Below, we break down exactly what this product does in our Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster review.

Key Takeaways

  • Loaded with the star ingredient niacinamide
  • Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
  • Can easily be combined with other actives

10% Niacinamide Booster

Booster for Improving Texture and Tone and Minimizing Pores

Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

This super light niacinamide booster helps minimize the appearance of pores, smooth the skin, reduce redness, and brighten.

Skin types: All Skin Types
Best for: Improving Overall Texture and Tone and Minimizing Pores
Tested on animals: No
How to use: After cleansing, take 2-3 drops into the palm of your hand and then apply to your face, starting from the cheeks.
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Niacinamide is a multi-tasking skincare ingredient that can be beneficial for just about anyone, regardless of skin type. This lightweight booster is easy to add to a routine, as it can be combined with other actives.

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Oil-free
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • May cause flushing in those sensitive to niacinamide (patch test prior to using)

In addition to the niacinamide, this booster contains allantoin and licorice extract, which further calm the skin. It also contains vitamin C, which brightens.

If there was ever a single skincare ingredient that's unanimously loved by everyone, it's niacinamide!

It is useful for several conditions like acne, rosacea, post-inflammatory pigmentation, sun-damage, dyspigmentation and even atopic dermatitis / eczema. Niacinamide is thus a multi-tasking ingredient.

It has been shown to be effective in concentrations as low as 4%. The Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster delivers niacinamide in a power-packed formula.

Product Overview

The Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster is a specially formulated serum containing niacinamide along with several naturally occurring antioxidants to maximize effects on skin texture, pigmentation and skin barrier function.

What stands out with this product is its lightweight consistency and fluid texture.

Claims

The Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster claims to dramatically improve uneven skin tone and refine pore size, skin texture and fine lines and wrinkles. It aims to promote a brighter, younger-looking appearance.

The light-as-water texture is designed to dramatically enhance the skin's appearance in terms of tone and texture while also providing soothing agents to promote visibly calm skin.

It has a sheer, ultra-light liquid formula that can be used alone or added to others moisturizers or serums.

Key Ingredients

1. Niacinamide (10%)

Niacinamide is truly a superstar ingredient, capable of exerting multiple effects:

  • It minimizes the appearance of pores as well as decreases sebum production.
  • It decreases pigment production, helping fade blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
  • It soothes and calms the skin by bringing down inflammation.
  • It has barrier-repair properties.
  • It also helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles.

Niacinamide has something for everyone, from decreasing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) to decreasing redness in rosacea to barrier repair in case of sensitive skin.

It is regularly combined with other active ingredients as a part of a anti-acne routine.

2. Antioxidants

Ascorbyl Glucoside is a vitamin C derivative that helps with pigmentation, collagen production and also has antioxidative action.

Ubiquinone (normally found in human cells) and Epigallocatechin Gallate (polyphenol in green tea) are strong antioxidants that protect skin cells from oxidative damage arising from sun exposure, pollution and other factors.

Genistein (found in soybean) is a phytoestrogen with antioxidant action. It has been shown to inhibit UVB-induced redness in skin, thus adding to the soothing properties of niacinamide.

3. Moisturizing ingredients

Acetyl Glucosamine is a sugar-derivative that is part of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

Sodium Hyaluronate (a salt of hyaluronic acid), Glycerin, Beta Glucan and Panthenol are other goodies in this formulation.

Together, these provide hydration to the skin, helping restore the skin barrier.

How to Use

  • After cleansing, take 2-3 drops into the palm of your hand and then apply to your face, starting from the cheeks.
  • Be careful around the eyes but it can be applied onto the eyelids as well.
  • It can be applied to the neck and upper chest as well.
  • During the day, finish with a moisturizer with SPF 30 or greater.
  • Being a niacinamide serum, it can safely be applied on slightly damp skin in order to increase penetration.
  • You do not need to rinse it off.

When to apply

This booster can be used twice a day, but it is frequently added to routines once in the morning. It ultimately depends on one's skin type and main concerns.

For example, if your main concern is redness and you are looking to soothe the skin and minimize use of other irritating actives, the Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster can be used twice a day.

Other Tips

1. Don't skip sunscreen

The very first step towards treating post-inflammatory marks and blemishes as well as preventing fine lines and wrinkles is minimizing sun exposure. It is important to remember to use sunscreen daily to protect the skin and minimize damage.

2. Using other actives

Niacinamide is a safe active that can be combined with other actives in the same routine, such as salicylic acid, azelaic acid, retinoids.

What to Expect

Since it is a light formulation, it can easily be layered or even mixed with your other skincare products, such as a moisturizer.

Niacinamide will take at least 4-6 weeks of daily use to be able to bring about a noticeable difference in skin texture, tone and pores.

The skin will look visibly brighter, smoother and more even-toned. This booster can also help with slight dark circles around the eyes. It gives the skin that overall healthy glow.

FAQ

How do you use Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster?

After cleansing, take 2-3 drops into the palm of your hand and then apply to your face, starting from the cheeks.

Can you mix Paula’s Choice BHA with niacinamide?

You can use niacinamide along with BHA products, such as the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. Paula’s Choice recommends starting with the liquid exfoliant, and then following with a few drops of the niacinamide booster.

Can you mix niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?

Yes, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can be used at the same time.

Can I use niacinamide everyday?

Yes, niacinamide is well-tolerated and can be used daily, up to two times per day.

The Bottom Line

Niacinamide is one ingredient that seems to be able to do it all. It fades fine lines and wrinkles, lightens pigmentation while at the same time providing soothing and anti-inflammatory effects.

The Paula's Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster is one of the best products out there with an expert formulation. It is a must buy product, particularly if you have oily skin with enlarged pores, acne marks and blemishes.