Why Niacinamide is the perfect ingredient for your skincare routine

What does Niacinamide do?

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 used topically in skin care. Vitamin B3 (in the form of niacin) is available in dietary supplements and is present in various foods, such as meats, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

When applied to the skin, niacinamide may help improve the appearance of skin texture and tone. Additionally, niacinamide may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as brighten the skin.

Some anti-aging serums may contain niacinamide as an active ingredient. If niacinamide is incorporated into a daily skin care regimen, users can expect smoother, more moisturized skin. If you have spot-prone skin, then niacinamide can help with this too!

What are the Benefits of using Niacinamide?

Some potential benefits associated with the topical use of niacinamide include¹Healthline: Niacinamide:

• Reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improvement in skin texture
• Improvement in skin tone
• Reduction in the appearance of dark spots
• Reduction in the appearance of redness
• Protection against environmental damage

Niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) was proven to be an effective skin moisturizer in one research, even more so than petrolatum jelly. Its anti-evaporative properties make it an effective topical treatment for dry skin.

Its natural anti-inflammatory component helps soothe inflamed skin and is gentle enough for delicate skin types. Additionally, Niacinamide may enhance skin barrier function making it an appropriate ingredient in the treatment of conditions like rosacea or acne.

Niacinamide’s ability to increase collagen formation and hence minimize wrinkles and discolouration is a key way in which it combats the premature aging of the skin. Niacinamide is especially helpful for those with dry, sensitive, aging, or acne-prone skin.

How does Niacinamide work?

When applied to the skin, niacinamide may help improve the appearance of skin by working to:

– Stimulate collagen production

– Increase ceramide production

What does stimulating collagen do?

Collagen is a type of protein that acts as a “glue” in the skin, providing structure and strength. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to the visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. Niacinamide may help stimulate collagen production, resulting in firmer, smoother skin.

What does increasing ceramide production do?

Additionally, niacinamide may help increase ceramide production. Ceramides are a type of lipid that helps keep the skin hydrated and prevents water loss. By increasing ceramide production, niacinamide may help improve the skin’s barrier function and keep the skin hydrated.

Are there any side effects of using Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is generally considered safe for most people. However, people with sensitive skin may experience mild side effects, such as redness, itching, or burning.

Niacinamide is generally safe for most people to use. However, some people may experience certain side effects, such as dry skin, redness, and irritation, especially if you are using too much niacinamide on your skin. If you experience any of these side effects, discontinue use and consult a doctor.

Can Niacinamide Help With Acne?

Inflammation caused by acne can be reduced using niacinamide. It helps control the overproduction of oil by your skin’s oil glands, which can lead to acne. Acne can leave behind red, purple, and brown stains on the skin, however, the use of niacinamide can help balance skin tone and remove such blemishes.

Niacinamide not only protects skin cells from harmful environmental factors like UV rays, pollution, and pollutants, but it also helps generate new cells in the skin. Using niacinamide topically may help with severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Skin lesions may fade and smooth out over time.

Also read: Is your pillowcase causing your breakouts?

Can Niacinamide Help With Hyperpigmentation?

Yes! Rebuilding healthy skin cells and shielding them from UV damage are two of niacinamide’s many benefits. Some studies have shown that the use of niacinamide at 5 percent can be effective in diminishing the appearance of black spots.

Niacinamide appears to be a potent skin-lightening agent by blocking the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes. By inhibiting melanosome transfer, niacinamide may help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Can I use other ingredients with Niacinamide?

Yes, generally speaking, which is why it’s included in so many skincare products and is simple to work into your current regimen. Niacinamide is commonly combined with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid commonly found in acne treatments, due to its shared anti-acne properties. It is possible to keep pores clean and acne at bay by combining the oil-reducing powers of niacinamide with the oil-dissolving powers of salicylic acid.

What about Peptides? Niacinamide and peptides can be used interchangeably without any safety concerns. Niacinamide’s compatibility with other skincare products is enhanced by the fact that it may be applied to virtually all skin types, even the mildly sensitive.

Niacinamide has humectant properties, thus it attracts and binds moisture to the skin, strengthening the skin’s own defenses. Having a skin microbiome that is both robust and healthy means your skin is better equipped to fend against free radicals like those found in UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental hazards.

Niacinamide has an impressive range of applications. It’s simple to add to your skincare regimen because you may use it in conjunction with other components or on its own as a serum.

Here’s our top ingredients to combine with niacinamide

What skincare products contain niacinamide?

Niacinamide Cleanser: Cleansers can now be infused with Niacinamide to better clean the skin’s outer layer. Using a Niacinamide cleanser can aid the skin in reducing red spots and blemishes while gently cleansing out dirt and grime.

Niacinamide Toner: Toners enhanced with the active ingredient Niacinamide help skin seem brighter and more even while also reducing the appearance of pores. Niacinamide toners are a calming formulation of brightening agents that aim to diminish the look of dullness, uneven skin tone, and enlarged pores.

Niacinamide Serum: Serums and spot treatments are usually the most concentrated forms of niacinamide. As most Niacinamide serums are water-based, they should be used after cleansing and toning but before oil-based serums and moisturizers. Thus, you maximize the chances of absorption and efficacy. Use the serum all over your face, but pay extra attention to your T-zone if it tends to get greasy.

Niacinamide Moisturizer: These days, Niacinamide is used in almost all pore-refining and anti-aging moisturizers. After you have finished your skincare routine (cleansing, toning, and serums), but before your sunscreen and makeup, use these items.

Is Niacinamide Safe For Everyday Use?

Yes, with the usual exceptions! Because Niacinamide is typically a benign component, you can use it in topical applications both morning and night. Niacinamide is unlikely to produce negative effects when applied topically at doses of 5% or less. When using a new product, however, keep an eye out for responses such as redness or swelling.

The verdict

So, is Niacinamide good for the skin? Of course, yes! When used topically on a daily basis, Niacinamide may improve your general skin health. The chemical can help reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation, as well as smooth and brighten your skin.

It may take many weeks to see substantial progress, so be patient and stick to your program. Niacinamide supplements should only be taken if your doctor or another healthcare professional has prescribed them to address a B-3 deficiency or another underlying problem.

Niacinamide is considered to be a gentle and non-sensitizing ingredient, and it is frequently used in skincare formulations for all skin types.