Why we use exactly 5% Niacinamide — not 10, not 20

The market treats Niacinamide concentration like a scoreboard: 10%, 20%, higher is better. The science disagrees. At around 5%, Niacinamide optimally upregulates ceramides and free fatty acids and reduces water loss. Push past that and you hit receptor saturation — and rising irritation.

5% isn’t a compromise. It’s the calibrated dose that actually fortifies the barrier. The bigger number on the box is marketing, not efficacy.