Niacinamide as a skin care ingredient is definitely worth your attention. Your skin will thank you for it. Along with other great ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, niacinamide really stands out. Especially because it is a versatile ingredient, it can be used for almost any skin problem and skin type. This probably isn't news to most people, but for those of you who don't know yet, we always rely on scientific research of ingredients. The research on niacinamide for skin unanimously shows how special it is. New studies also continue to show that it is one of the most interesting ingredients for skin care.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3 and nicotamide. It is a water-soluble vitamin that interacts with substances naturally present in the skin. It visibly reduces and shrinks enlarged pores, smoothes fine lines and wrinkles, improves uneven skin tone, restores radiance to dull skin and strengthens the natural skin barrier.
As niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, it also reduces the impact of harmful environmental influences. It also helps repair previous skin damage. As a result, the skin looks younger and more radiant.
Why should you take niacinamide?
In case you're still wondering: what is niacinamide really good for? We're pretty impressed with all that niacinamide can do for your skin when incorporated into products like toners, serums, and high concentration leave-on treatments. Niacinamide works well with all the products in your skin care routine, including products containing retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C and all types of antioxidants.
Feel free to include several products containing niacinamide in your routine. This will not cause sensitivity or irritation, as vitamin B is well tolerated by all skin types. Niacinamide is even suitable for those with sensitive skin or rosacea.
Another benefit of niacinamide/vitamin B3 for the skin is that it helps renew and repair the skin's surface. It also prevents moisture loss and therefore dehydration of the skin, as it stimulates the natural production of ceramides. Ceramides, in turn, strengthen the skin. A lack of ceramides makes the skin vulnerable and can cause all sorts of skin problems, such as dry, flaky or very sensitive skin.
If you suffer from dry skin, you can use niacinamide to boost the moisturizing properties of day and night creams. This helps prevent dry, tight skin. Niacinamide works well with many moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin, unscented vegetable oils, cholesterol, sodium PCA and sodium hyaluronate.
So what does niacinamide do to your pores?
Good question, although the answer to that question is not entirely certain. In fact, research has not yet fully established exactly how vitamin B works to reduce the appearance of pores, but... it does! It appears that niacinamide works primarily within the pores. It keeps dirt from building up there, preventing clogged pores and rough, bumpy skin. If a pore gets clogged, it will be stretched and you will have enlarged pores. By helping the skin behave normally again, the pores can return to their original size. Sun damage can also cause enlarged pores. This can lead to what is known as orange peel skin.
For those wondering what niacinamide does for pimples, we have good news: research has shown that a concentration of 2% or more is already effective in fighting (red) spots after pimples. This makes skin care products containing niacinamide a good choice for people with acne-prone skin.
How does niacinamide help fight discoloration and uneven skin tone?
Both of these problems are caused by an excess of melanin (skin pigment) on the skin's surface. Niacinamide-based products, which are 5% in concentration, target different processes to prevent new discoloration. At the same time, this ingredient helps fade existing discoloration, so your skin looks more even. Niacinamide and other anti-fade ingredients work well together, such as all forms of vitamin C, licorice, retinol and bakuchiol.
How do you use niacinamide?
Using niacinamide is very simple: choose well-formulated skin care products that contain niacinamide as well as other ingredients that are good for your skin, such as antioxidants and skin nourishing and repairing ingredients.
It's important to use multiple ingredients in your skincare routine, because while niacinamide is an awesome ingredient, it's not the only one your skin needs to feel and look its best. Think of it as your diet: Kale may be healthy, but you'll quickly become malnourished if you only eat kale. Your body needs more than one type of healthy food. The same goes for your skin, which is the largest (and most visible) organ in your body. For best results, use a leave-on product containing niacinamide twice a day after cleansing your skin. This means you can use a toner containing niacinamide right after cleansing to refresh and moisturize your skin.
Do what you want. Experiment a bit to find what works best for your skin!
Do you have stubborn skin problems such as visibly enlarged pores, loose pores or rough, bumpy skin?
Try niacinamide in a unique concentration of no less than 20%. Clinical treatment with 20% Niacinamide visibly reduces enlarged and dilated pores, smoothes rough (orange) skin and minimizes bumps due to oil build-up. It restores a fine, smooth texture to the skin.
Products containing niacinamide can also be safely applied around the eyes. They can even help reduce dark circles and fine lines. It also prevents moisture loss around the eyes and ensures firmer skin. And it can certainly serve that delicate skin well.
There's really no reason not to add niacinamide to your routine. This incredibly versatile B vitamin improves skin in so many ways: it gives you an even skin tone and makes your skin look more radiant and youthful. As with all skincare ingredients, it's important to protect your skin daily with a broad spectrum sunscreen or day cream with at least SPF 30. This way, your skin gets the optimal benefit from the niacinamide and other proven active ingredients in your skin care products.
