Active③ Transfer

Niacinamide

INCI: Niacinamide

This is one of the ingredients doing the work.

Niacinamide works at the transfer step — it reduces the movement of melanosomes from melanocytes into surrounding skin cells. Third mechanism, third intervention point. We use 4%, not the 10% common in the category.

Illustrative concept image, not a claim about a finished formula.

Typical level: 4%
Evidence: Strong — multiple controlled studies

Why not higher

Above roughly 5%, the rate of stinging, flushing, and barrier disruption climbs steeply — a documented contributor to the low 4.0–4.4 star ratings across the competitive set. We chose the dose that keeps people using it.

What it does

Why we use 4%, not 10%

Ten percent niacinamide is common in this category and it is a marketing number more than a tolerability one. Above roughly 5%, the rate of stinging, flushing, and barrier disruption climbs steeply — and those effects are a documented contributor to the low 4.0–4.4 star ratings across the competitive set. A customer who stops at week three because their face stings gets zero benefit from a higher concentration. We chose the dose that keeps people using it.

It pairs with everything

Niacinamide is the connective tissue of the line. It is in the TX products alongside tranexamic acid because the two hit different points in the pathway, and it is in the G7 products because antioxidant support and barrier support are not competing goals.

Safety notes

Well tolerated at 4%. Can be used in the same routine as an acid toner, but not in the same layer — space them by a few minutes, or use the acid in the evening.

Also known as: Nicotinamide, Vitamin B3