10% Niacinamide Night Mask
Overnight Pore Refiner
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +10% niacinamide delivers maximum pore-refining and sebum-regulating efficacy
- +Panthenol (3%), beta-glucan, and bisabolol create a soothing buffer for overnight wear
- +Silicone-free, fragrance-free, vegan formula with clean ingredient profile
- +Cushiony texture absorbs well without pillow transfer
- +Clinical testing shows 94% improvement in skin tone clarity after 30 days
- +Replaces both niacinamide treatment and night cream in one step
- +Upcycled blueberry seed oil adds sustainability credentials with real antioxidant benefits
- −10% niacinamide may cause tingling or flushing in sensitive skin types
- −Premium $45 price for a niacinamide product — the active itself is inexpensive
- −Jar packaging is less hygienic than a tube for an overnight leave-on product
- −Contains jojoba oil and shea butter — not fungal-acne-safe
- −Botanical extracts like ginger and turmeric may irritate very reactive skin
The full review.
Most niacinamide products use 5%. That concentration has clinical backing, low irritation risk, and enough efficacy for most skin concerns. Farmacy chose to do more. The result is a sleeping mask with 10% niacinamide—double the standard—that works while you sleep to refine pores by morning.
This approach is intelligent. Farmacy did not just increase the niacinamide. The formula uses a deliberate support system: 3% panthenol to replenish the moisture barrier, beta-glucan to soothe inflammation, bisabolol for anti-irritant coverage, and allantoin to promote skin healing. These are not decorative. They exist because 10% niacinamide can cause tingling, redness, and flushing in some users overnight; Farmacy engineered the formula to mitigate that risk without reducing the active dose.
The texture is thick and cushiony, unlike the thin, watery serums most niacinamide products use. You scoop it from the glass jar with the included spatula and apply it like a thick night cream. It sinks in faster than its density suggests, leaving a velvety layer that does not transfer to pillowcases. By morning, skin feels smoother, more hydrated, and visibly less congested.
Results come fast. Within the first week, pores look more refined, especially around the nose and cheeks. The niacinamide’s sebum-regulating effect is apparent—skin that produced excess oil by midday stays balanced longer. By the end of the first month, skin tone clarity improves; Farmacy’s clinical testing shows 94% of subjects had significant improvement. These numbers align with user reports and the known efficacy of niacinamide at this concentration.
The ingredient philosophy reflects Farmacy’s clean beauty positioning without fear-mongering. The formula is silicone-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and vegan. The upcycled blueberry seed oil is rich in anthocyanin antioxidants and omega fatty acids, sourced from agricultural waste. The Lactobacillus ferment adds a prebiotic dimension that supports the skin microbiome during overnight repair. The botanical extracts—turmeric, ginger, basil, neem—provide anti-inflammatory properties, though ginger and turmeric can irritate very reactive skin.
The overnight format elevates this beyond a standard niacinamide serum. Extended contact time gives niacinamide hours to work on pore structure, sebum regulation, and barrier ceramide synthesis, unlike the minutes a rinse-off mask provides. The occlusive shea butter and jojoba oil lock everything in, dropping transepidermal water loss to near zero while the actives work. This delivery mechanism differs fundamentally from applying a niacinamide serum and hoping it stays active all night.
There are limitations. At $45 for 50ml, this is a premium sleeping mask. Niacinamide is an inexpensive active; 10% niacinamide serums cost much less. You pay for the formulation engineering: the soothing complex, the overnight vehicle, the texture, the clean ingredient profile, and the recycled glass packaging. The value depends on whether cheaper 10% niacinamide products irritated you, or if 5% concentrations were insufficient or unpleasant to wear overnight.
The jar format remains a hygiene concern for a product left on the face for eight hours, even with the included spatula. A tube is preferable. While the formula works for many skin types, the jojoba oil and shea butter make it less ideal for fungal acne, and the 10% concentration can still cause flushing in sensitive skin despite the soothing support.
Farmacy built a product that treats niacinamide as a potent active requiring proper formulation support at clinical concentrations, not just a marketing ingredient. The result is a sleeping mask for a pore-conscious nighttime routine.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water/Aqua/Eau, Propanediol, Niacinamide, C15-19 Alkane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Betaine, Vaccinium Corymbosum (Blueberry) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Glucan, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Glycogen, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Arginine, Carbomer, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Niacinamide at 10% concentration sits at the upper limit of clinically validated levels. A 2004 study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science shows 2% niacinamide reduces sebum excretion rate, while 4-5% concentrations improve hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and skin elasticity. At 10%, the formula provides more pronounced pore refinement and faster results, though irritation risk increases—a factor this formula manages with its soothing complex.
Niacinamide refines pores by increasing ceramide and fatty acid synthesis in the stratum corneum, which strengthens the barrier around individual pores. Research in the British Journal of Dermatology (2000) confirmed niacinamide boosts ceramide production in a dose-dependent manner. At 10%, ceramide synthesis stimulation is maximized, tightening pore structure and reducing sebum flow.
Panthenol at 3% works as both a humectant (drawing moisture into the stratum corneum) and a skin protectant. A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2002) found panthenol accelerated barrier repair and reduced transepidermal water loss. This is relevant here, as the soothing ingredients offset niacinamide's irritation potential at high doses.
Beta-glucan, derived from yeast cell walls, has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Research in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science shows beta-glucan reduces fine wrinkle depth and improves skin firmness, adding anti-aging benefits beyond niacinamide's primary effects. These soothing properties help in an overnight format where the active stays on skin for 6-8 hours.
References
- The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer — British Journal of Dermatology (2002)
- Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance — Dermatologic Surgery (2005)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists view niacinamide as a versatile, well-tolerated topical active for acne, hyperpigmentation, barrier repair, and anti-aging. Board-certified dermatologists note 10% is at the high end of the therapeutic range and can cause transient flushing, but the soothing support system (panthenol, beta-glucan, bisabolol) mitigates that risk. The overnight sleeping mask format is dermatologically sound; extended contact with niacinamide enhances ceramide synthesis and pore refinement. Dermatologists recommend this for combination to oily skin patients seeking pore and texture improvement without retinoid-level irritation risk.
Where it fits in your routine.
Cleanse your skin and apply treatment serums first. Use the included spatula to scoop a generous amount and spread it evenly over your face and neck. Leave the mask on overnight; it absorbs into the skin and requires no rinsing, though you can wash it off in the morning. Use nightly for best results. If you feel tingling during the first few uses, apply it every other night and build up. Do not apply directly over fresh retinol; wait 10-15 minutes for retinol to absorb first.
At $45 for 50ml, this mask sits at the prestige end of the niacinamide market. Standalone 10% niacinamide serums cost $7-12, so the Farmacy version carries a premium. However, this product works as both a niacinamide treatment and a night cream, replacing two products. The formulation engineering — soothing complex, overnight vehicle, silicone-free texture — justifies the markup for users who experience niacinamide irritation at 10% in simpler formulations. Mini sizes (9-25ml) allow trials before buying the full size.
Oily and combination skin types seeking pore refinement and sebum regulation without retinoid irritation. This works for anyone who finds 5% niacinamide products underwhelming and wants a higher concentration in a soothing overnight vehicle.
Very sensitive skin that flushes easily may feel discomfort from 10% niacinamide during extended overnight wear, even with the soothing complex. Skip this if you have fungal acne; jojoba oil and shea butter can feed Malassezia yeast.
Product details.
Thick, cushion-like cream with a silky consistency. It feels smooth on application and absorbs into the skin without a greasy or sticky layer.
Botanical extracts provide a faint, pleasant natural scent — it is essentially unscented.
An infinitely recyclable glass jar includes a branded spatula for hygienic dispensing. The glass feels heavy and matches Farmacy's sustainability commitment.
The first application feels thick and cushioning. The mask sits on skin without slipping or transferring to pillowcases. By morning, skin feels hydrated and smooth. Users with sensitive skin may feel mild tingling from the 10% niacinamide concentration during the first few uses, but this subsides with continued use.
2-3 months with nightly use
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Farmacy developed this mask to address the gap between standalone niacinamide serums — which often lack the occlusive and soothing support needed for overnight wear — and traditional night creams that hydrate but do not actively treat pore and texture concerns. The 10% concentration was chosen based on clinical studies showing this level delivers measurable results in skin tone clarity and pore refinement, while the soothing complex ensures tolerance across skin types.
About Farmacy
Emerging Brand (2–5 years)David Chung founded Farmacy in 2015, and Procter & Gamble acquired it in 2021. The brand uses a 'farm-to-face' philosophy with sustainably sourced botanicals. Its Green Clean balm is the #1 selling cleanser at Sephora. Farmacy uses well-studied ingredients, but the brand is young and lacks much independent clinical validation for its specific products.
Common myths.
Niacinamide concentrations above 5% cause irritation without adding benefit.
5% works for many concerns, but clinical studies show 10% provides more benefits—specifically for sebum regulation and pore refinement. This mask uses panthenol and beta-glucan to buffer the higher concentration and maintain tolerability.
Sleeping masks are thick moisturizers with a marketing spin.
Sleeping masks provide extended overnight contact time, letting actives like niacinamide work longer than wash-off masks. This format works well for ingredients needing sustained penetration, and the occlusive layer prevents transepidermal water loss during sleep.
FAQ.
Can I use the Farmacy Niacinamide Night Mask every night?
Yes — it is a leave-on overnight treatment for nightly use. The 10% niacinamide concentration causes tingling during the first few uses. If this happens, use it every other night and increase to nightly use as your skin adjusts.
Can I use the Farmacy Night Mask with retinol?
Yes. Apply your retinol first and let it absorb for 10-15 minutes, then layer this mask on top. The 3% panthenol and beta-glucan in the mask actually help buffer retinol irritation, making them a complementary pairing for anti-aging and pore refinement.
Will 10% niacinamide irritate sensitive skin?
Some sensitive skin users report mild tingling at 10% concentration. The formula uses panthenol, beta-glucan, bisabolol, and allantoin to counteract irritation. Use every other night to test tolerance. Clinical testing shows improvement for all skin types, including sensitive.
Does the Farmacy Night Mask help with acne?
10% niacinamide regulates sebum production and reduces pore congestion, which indirectly reduces breakouts. But the formula contains jojoba seed oil and shea butter. These are mildly comedogenic, so acne-prone users should patch test first.
Is the Farmacy Niacinamide Night Mask worth the price?
At $45 for 50ml, this costs more than standalone niacinamide serums. But it replaces both your niacinamide treatment and your night cream, and the leave-on format maximizes efficacy. Clinical data shows a 94% improvement in skin clarity after 30 days, justifying the cost for users who prioritize pore refinement and tone.
What the community says.
"Skin looks visibly brighter and more refined by morning"
"Thick cushiony texture absorbs without greasy residue"
"Noticeable pore minimization within the first week"
"Non-pilling formula layers well over treatment serums"
"Silicone-free and clean ingredient list"
"10% niacinamide can cause tingling or redness in sensitive skin"
"Price is high compared to standalone niacinamide products"
"Jar packaging is less hygienic than a tube despite included spatula"
"May feel too rich for very oily skin in humid climates"
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