Niacinamide (or vitamin B3), dermatology’s standout component widely renowned for its calming properties, has come a long way to become a crucial element in safe cosmetics. A customary drugstore ingredient, Niacinamide is spreading like wildfire in clean beauty products. This multi-functional active component has a few surprises in store for you!
But, are you aware of all the crest and troughs of Niacinamide? If not, we will be happy to assist!
Read more: The Best and Quick Skin Care For Oily Skin
Since we can’t have you plunging into the unknown without precautions, we have come up with a list of all the questions you’ve been wanting to ask about the coveted Niacinamide.
Let’s begin with a little introduction
Okay, so Niacinamide is good for your skin, got that bit. But what is it even?
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a water-soluble derivative of vitamin B3. This form is most typically seen in skincare commodities and niacin supplements. Niacin is a component that every tissue in your system requires to create enough energy to fuel your cells. It aids your body in harnessing the energy contained in the food you consume and converting it into something useful. (In other words, it’s critical.)
Niacin also has a lot of beneficial impacts on your skin. Better yet, many of these advantages may be obtained by orally ingesting niacin or by employing niacinamide-rich skincare ingredients into your routine.
Are Niacin and Niacinamide the same?
The answer is, No. Both Niacin and Niacinamide are types of vitamin B3, although their chemical structures are different. Niacin, for example, is helpful for nutritional health, whereas niacinamide is wonderful for promoting beautiful skin! Note: Niacin may cause skin flushing, so be sure you’re paying for a product that has the right ingredients.
Read more: A Complete Guide to Creams and Moisturizers
Let’s say the hype is legit, but what will it do for my skin?
It all hinges on how you use it. By reducing transepidermal water loss, niacinamide helps retain moisture to your epidermis when administered topically. It also aids in the gradual increase of collagen formation, which helps to reduce the semblance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It’s capacity to regulate sebum production, including its anti-inflammatory qualities, aid in reducing the risk of acne eruptions. Finally, it serves to lessen hyperpigmentation by preventing pigment from reaching the skin’s surface.
Now that we are familiar with the basics, let’s understand the difference between supplements and Topical Niacinamide
Topical treatments containing niacinamide provide more immediate skin benefits. Oral B3 consumption, on the other hand, might also prove beneficial to your skin. According to the National Institutes of Health, B3-rich foods include salmon, turkey and chicken breast, brown rice, tuna, and healthy cereal. Most people in the United States get enough B3 without requiring them to take supplements.
So, are there side effects I should be worried about?
The majority of the advantages of oral niacin intake discovered in the research were based on the use of niacinamide supplements instead of niacin-rich meals. However, ingesting extremely high amounts, such as those employed in certain trials, might have unfavorable side effects.
When you take too much niacin, you may have niacin flush, which involves unpleasant skin irritation and discomfort, as well as other potentially more dangerous side effects including high body temperature or blood pressure fluctuations.
The use of topical niacinamide is usually deemed safe. However, people with pre-existing allergies might have an allergic response. The sole reason is that niacinamide can cause a spike in the histamine release.
A patch test can aid in avoiding extensive allergic reactions and drug sensitivities.
I’m intrigued, so how do I incorporate Niacinamide into my skin-care regime?
To get the most out of this product, administer topically in serum form or a cream. Lotion could work well too. Since niacinamide penetrates deep into the skin and is easily absorbed, you’ll want to invest plenty of leisure time to work it through your body.
In general, niacinamide may be administered at any given point of the day—up to two times, based on the composition—and in conjunction with other products without causing any problems. Serums are often the most powerful and feature the largest concentrations of active ingredients.
- Cleanse your lovely skin with an organic cleanser before doing anything else!
- Allow time for your preferred toner to dry. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to pick one that already contains niacinamide! You can get your vitamin B3 dose with a moisturizer or serum that contains it if you prefer rose water toners or witch hazel.
- It’s time to apply the serum. You can use a niacinamide-boosting serum right now, wait till the moisturizing stage, or do both. Allow time for it to soak evenly throughout your face and neck.
- Stay hydrated! Apply moisturizer to your neck and face and wait a few minutes for it to absorb. Because niacinamide provides lotions such a boost, a face cream with it is a good idea.
- Always use sunscreen liberally to allow all of the potent chemicals in your beauty products to preserve your radiance.
Skin Types and Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a “great anti-aging agent” since it works wonders with both dry and oily skin types.
Furthermore, Topical niacinamide has been proven to enhance the hydrating capacity of moisturizers, allowing the skin’s surface to better withstand moisture loss, which leads to flaky and dry skin.
Read more: All Relevant Information You Need About SunCare
Because of its anti-inflammatory characteristics, the vitamin is also well managed by reactive & rosacea-prone skin. However, before applying it on your face, do a skin test on your arm, just like you would with any new product.
Prevention is way better than cure, as the saying goes. Most of what niacinamide accomplishes for the skin is really what makes it such an effective anti-aging and anti-environmental supplement. Hence, for people in their early 20s and 30s, it is a no-brainer.
What can I pair Niacinamide with for optimal results?
Niacinamide should be used with additional skin brightening agents like kojic acid, which is typically obtained from mushrooms and is a rice fermentation by-product, and tranexamic acid, a synthetic Lysine derivative, to treat dark patches and hyperpigmentation.
Peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides all assist to create a barricade to promote the general well-being of the skin, therefore combining niacinamides with these actives will further enhance the results.
Below is a break-up of the aforementioned.
- Ceramides: These are viscous lipid molecules present in the interstices of skin cells. The lipid coat, which stores moisture and functions as a protection against pollutants, germs, and attackers, can be disrupted by environmental variables.
- Peptides: These are short amino acid chains. When peptides are administered topically, they deliver biological signals that direct cells to perform certain functions, one of which is the production of more collagen.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid can store double its weight in liquid, which means it hydrates the skin effectively. It forms a protective layer for the skin, trapping in moisture and enhancing texture when applied. As we age, our skin sheds water and moisture; this component will assist to retain hydration and may be used on a regular basis.
How do I choose the right product?
On labels, niacinamide may be indicated as “niacin” or “nicotinamide.”
The majority of formulations are 5% or less. According to reports, a concentration of 5% is useful in reducing sunburns and hyperpigmentation.
Read more: How To Read Labels In Skin Care Effectively
Start with a lesser dosage, such as 2%, in case of sensitive skin.
How often should I use Niacinamide?
You may take niacinamide twice a day, at night, and during the daytime. This moisturizing powerhouse will improve your skin on several levels. Its antioxidant qualities will fight any symptoms of stress throughout the day and restore any harm that may have occurred later in the evening. Any additional products or components you use will absorb more quickly and produce better outcomes.
What should I not pair Niacinamide with?
Despite being a famous antioxidant, vitamin C is incompatible with niacinamide. Both are popularly found in a wide range of skincare products, however, they shouldn’t be applied simultaneously. When administered jointly, their efficacy is greatly reduced unless each serum is applied at least 5 – 10 minutes apart.
Miles to go… before I see the result?
Although certain niacinamide-rich products show results in a short period, most outcomes take four weeks or longer. You must remember that spots do not form in two days, and you should not anticipate them to be gone in two days. For most consumers, the tiny variation is enough to keep the routine going, which is exactly the goal here.
Key Takeaways
Niacinamide, when applied topically daily, has the potential to improve your skin’s overall health. The component can aid in the reduction of inflammation and hyperpigmentation, as well as the smoothing and brightening of your skin’s general texture.
Because apparent progress might take many weeks, it’s critical to be calm and adhere to your regimen.
Niacinamide supplements should only be taken if your doctor has prescribed them to you to address a B-3 deficiency or another underlying disease. If you want to get professional tips from renowned dermatologists, visit here.
Need products tailored to your skin type? do not forget to visit Skininspired where you can choose the products that are exclusively made for you! Skim and search by skin type, concerns, and more and build the best skincare routine!