Niacinamide

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a skin care ingredient worthy of your attention and your skin will love you for using it. Among a handful of other amazing skin care ingredients such as retinol and vitamin C, niacinamide is a standout because of its versatility for almost any skin care concern and skin type.

Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is the active form of niacin (also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid). It is water soluble vitamin.

However, here is one common misconception when it comes to B3 and its (multiple) forms: Niacinamide is a specific amide (a particular chemical structure) form of B3. It's not niacin, the acid form of this vitamin. Niacin is much more easily found at the drugstore but [occasionally] has the unpleasant side effect of flushing that niacinamide doesn't have.

Niacinamide is not naturally found in our body. It is formed when we eat foods high in niacin (like eggs, green veggies, beans, fish or mushrooms). We convert the niacin into active niacinamide, which in turn acts as a precursor to the coenzymes NADH and NADPH.

These coenzymes boost cellular metabolism, meaning they give our skin cells the energy to carry out their functions.

Since niacinamide readily penetrates into the skin, we don't have to rely on our diets or a dietary supplement. We can also benefit from using it topically!

It's also one of the more stable active ingredients in skincare, with a pH around neutral. So unlike alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and retinoids, it is non-acidic and non-irritating.

It is compatible with many other actives so you can incorporate it into your routine easily without worrying about adverse reactions.

Because of all these properties of Niacinamide, it is one active that can be used by almost every skin type, even sensitive. (Of course you have to understand that percentage and start small).

When I first started using it, I was blown by the effects of it.

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Benefits of Niacinamide

1. Treats Acne

Niacinamide has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it is a great treatment to try if you have acne. Many studies have revealed that it is effective and safe in alleviating symptoms of mild to moderate acne.

Plus, it is non irritating and gentler than BHA, retinols and benzoyl peroxide!

2. Regulates Oil Production

Maybe you don't have acne, but struggle with oily skin. Well, niacinamide can help with that, too. It has been found that Niacinamide can lower sebum levels and the rate of sebum excretion. This is different from most topical treatments for oily skin, which just try to absorb the excess sebum. Niacinamide can actually slow down how much is released, with changes evident after two to four weeks.

3. Shrinks Pores and Smooths Texture

You've probably heard that you can't shrink your pores. Actually, you CAN—with niacinamide! Clinically it reduces pore size, and improves skin texture. It has been found that niacinamide and salicylic acid significantly reduce pore size and bumpy skin texture. This happens because of niacinamide's ability to reduce sebum production. Pores always look larger when they are trapped with sebum and dead skin. So with less oil, they're not going to be as stretched out. And with smaller pores, the skin texture looks softer and smoother.

4. Fades Pigmentation

Niacinamide has proved to be an excellent treatment for pigmentation, age spots and melasma.

5. Reduces Redness

If you're prone to redness, niacinamide is one of the best ingredients you can apply. It helps to improve red, blotchy skin. It has also been found that it is a beneficial treatment for rosacea.

Niacinamide reduces inflammation, which may help ease redness from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It also improves the function of the skin barrier, which means less irritation and less reddening.

6. Fights Free Radicals & Protects from UV Damage

Niacinamide has been found to protect from free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. It increases the antioxidant capacity of skin after topical application. Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins. You should consider niacinamide going hand in hand with your sunscreen. Research has shown that it has some photoprotective properties. Niacinamide aids in DNA repair after UV damage. It can rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

7. Reduces Wrinkles

Niacinamide significantly improves fine lines and wrinkles. It helps in increasing collagen production in the dermis. This helps to keep our skin supple and flexible and so prevents wrinkles and fine lines from appearing sooner.

8. Strengthens the Skin Barrier & reduces dryness

Sometimes your skin seems so sensitive that it tingles and becomes red after you apply anything. It is possible your skin barrier has become compromised. This is possible if you have over exfoliated your skin, layered products incorrectly or used higher concentration of harsh chemicals. Niacinamide helps to restore barrier function. It reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It is also very effective at increasing hydration in the skin's outermost layer. All this results in a thicker and stronger barrier. It can help your skin grow a ceramide (lipid) barrier, which can, in turn, helps retain moisture. Niacinamide also helps build keratin which is a type of protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy.

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How to use Niacinamide?

Just like we saw in the last posts that Niacinamide is one ingredient that is the least irritating. It is something that can be used by everyone, everyday.

But, listen to your skin. Before introducing any active, start small and slow.

Start with smaller percentages. Serums generally have high percentage and so it would be recommended to start with a toner or a moisturizer that has Niacinamide as they are formulated with lesser percentages.

Although, it can be used everyday, start with using it alternate days. See how your skin reacts to it. Generally, it does not make the skin purge or break out but everyone's skin is different.

Layering of Niacinamide

This is one ingredient that is compatible with almost all others. It boosts the effect of Retinol. It can be used with Vit C and also AHA, BHA.

But remember, keep a gap of 5-10 mins between each step. Just because you can use it with everything, do not keep layering your skin with actives. Only use ingredients that target your main skin concern.

Generally, go with one active and Niacinamide. Do not go over board!

Now, lets talk about the one thing that everyone wants to know. RECOMMENDATIONS!

The Ordinary 10% Niacinamide+ 1% Zinc

Goodmolecules

Niacinamide Brightening toner

10% Niacinamide serum

Suganda

10% serum

White lotus moisturizer

Pure bubbles 10% serum

Pure by priyanka Moon struck night cream

Dermitecture 10% serum

Fiducia daily brightening concentrate

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vit E mask

Jumiso Vitamin serum

Dr. sheth

Multitasking miracle cream

Anti poluution day serum

Clarifying sulphur face mask

Basic brightening youth glotion

Mamaearth Skin correct face serum

Kaya

Dramatic renew day cream

Replenishing night cream

Other brands:

The inkey list

Somebymi

Paulas choice

Tiam

Purito

CosRx