Skin Care 101: Health Benefits of Niacinamide
Rose May Pimentel in Health
Jan 17, 2024 • 3 min Read
Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare products. It’s an essential nutrient responsible for skin, kidneys, and brain care. Most skincare products include niacinamide since it delivers promising effects. Niacinamide helps improve the skin’s barrier function, reducing moisture loss, and keeping the skin hydrated.
Niacinamide is naturally found in your body but is also present in foods like green vegetables, eggs, fish, beans, and milk. While vitamin B3 is beneficial to the skin, the small intestine does not fully absorb it. This is the reason why dermatologists suggest applying niacinamide directly to the skin for best results.
Niacinamide is a versatile active ingredient that offers various benefits for your skin. It targets the causes of inflammation, promotes smoother complexion and hydration, and helps regulate oil production. Studies show its effectiveness in treating pellagra and improving various skin conditions like brown spots, skin cancer, aging signs, and acne.
Here are some of its amazing benefits:
* Treats and prevents acne: Acne is an inflammatory condition that produces pimples with delayed healing and acne scarring. Using niacinamide will reduce the overall inflammatory reaction of your pimples, which speeds up healing.
* Regulates oil production: Our skin has sebaceous glands responsible for producing sebum, an oily substance that coats and protects the skin from external stressors. People prone to acne have oily skin. Applying niacinamide helps regulate oil production and prevent pimples.
* Fades hyperpigmentation: Niacinamide is a proven remedy for various pigmentation issues like dark spots, acne scars, discoloration, brown patches, and melasma.
* Reduces redness and inflammation: People with eczema, rosacea, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions will benefit from niacinamide’s anti-inflammatory properties.
* Minimizes the appearance of pores: Preliminary studies suggest that niacinamide has a “normalizing” ability on pores that have enlarged due to debris or sun damage. Niacinamide helps pores return to their normal size and tighten them by enriching the skin’s supportive elements.
Since niacinamide is an all-around skincare ingredient, you can find it in most toners, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens. Serums have the highest niacinamide concentration ideal for addressing specific skin concerns, like pimples and dark spots.
Studies used topical applications containing 2%-10% of niacinamide, so look for skincare products that fall within the range. If you have sensitive skin, it would be a great idea to start with the lowest concentration.
For oil control, use 2% topical niacinamide products. And for treating hyperpigmentation, use 5% concentration and expect to see dark spots lighten after 4-8 weeks of use.
If you’re wondering how often you can use niacinamide, the answer is pretty simple: every single day. It is recommended to apply twice daily to see the benefits, which include visible improvement of discoloration, a brighter complexion, and clearer-looking skin.
Another great thing about niacinamide is that it works better when combined with other active skincare ingredients. For example, your acne-prone skin can pair a niacinamide product with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid used in most acne products.
Niacinamide is generally well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin. However, individuals with specific skin concerns or conditions should consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional before incorporating new products into their skincare routine.
Indeed, niacinamide is a powerhouse skincare ingredient. Discover the transformative power of niacinamide for healthy and vibrant skin. Say goodbye to dryness, redness, and dullness with the wonderful benefits of niacinamide. Embrace the natural form of vitamin B3 and let your skin glow from within!
