Niacinamide is believed to be one of the popular ingredients when it comes to the most effective ingredients that make your skincare effective – and, it’s not difficult to understand why. This one powerful ingredient can improve many skin concerns ranging from simple dullness to severe acne.
In this blog, we’ll learn what is Niacinamide, what does it do for your skin, the use of niacinamide and why it is a must-included ingredient in skincare. If you’re new to skincare or have been into it for years, niacinamide proves its worth each time.
Curious to know more about niacinamide? Let’s go deep into it and explore various aspects of it.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, widely known as nicotinamide, is one of the forms of vitamin B3. It’s an important nutrient that our body needs to carry out many functions, of which, it plays a great role in maintaining healthy skin.
It supports your skin’s natural barriers and improves its ability to contain moisture and
repair any skin damage. Your skin starts functioning properly which leads to noticeable improvements in texture, tone, and overall skin health.
But, do you know what’s most surprising? It’s soluble in water and suitable for all skin types – absorbs easily and doesn’t let your skin appear greasy. Rather than targeting specific concerns as other skincare ingredients do, niacinamide offers more benefits making it a preferable, most importantly, a crucial addition to your routine.
What Does Niacinamide Do for Your Skin?
Many of us love niacinamide for good reasons. Many of its qualities are adored by a majority of people who know what wonders it does for your skin. Many of you may ask what is niacinamide good for? Some Niacinamide uses for skin are listed below.
Balances Oil Production
Many of those who have oily skin and are prone to acne use niacinamide for skin due to its oil-regulating properties. Niacinamide helps balance the oil (or sebum) on your skin, which makes it great for those who deal with oily skin or breakouts.
Helps with Acne
Thousands of people use niacinamide to reduce inflammation for acne relief. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps with acne, redness, and any other irritation and makes your face look clearer.
Reduces Hyperpigmentation, Uneven Skin Tone
It is extensively used by those who wish to clear their skin and enhance their complexion. One of the benefits of niacinamide for skin is, that it helps in making skin tone even, lightens the dark spots and promotes even more melanin distribution.
Calms Redness
It is very commonly used by those with sensitive skin or conditions such as rosacea and fungal acne. Niacinamide reduces redness and flare-ups and, fortifies your skin barrier by binding moisture inside the skin.
Increases Skin Elasticity
If someone wants firm and youthful skin, because their face is exposed to the outside world all day long, CERAMIDE-CREATING ACID -Vit B3, aka Niacinamide is an essential for your skin’s natural facelift.
Niacinamide benefits a wide range of people with different skin types and skin conditions. From acne relief and balancing oil production to reducing hy[perpigmentation and increasing skin elasticity – niacinamide benefits for skin are diverse.
Who Can Use Niacinamide?
For the most part, niacinamide is said to address different skin issues, including acne and ageing signs. This is an all-rounder and works well on a variety of skin types. So who can actually enjoy the benefits of niacinamide?
- Teenagers
Niacinamide is good for slightly oily skin types, as acne-prone people may benefit from reduced oil production and inflammation. This makes it a good pick for teens battling with breakouts and acne-prone, oily skin.
- Sensitive Skin
Regardless of skin type, niacinamide is a welcoming choice for the skin. It has a calming effect on the skin and can also help in reducing redness, which is why it is most suitable for those who have sensitive skin.
- Dry Skin
Niacinamide is also a crowd-pleaser for those who have dry skin and can be found in cream formulations as well. It penetrates the skin and keeps the skin in its soft, hydrated state,
- People Getting Skin Care Treatment
Do you go for treatments such as chemical peels, laser toning or a hydrafacial? Niacinamide helps in reducing the irritation and enhancing the effect of these treatments making your skin heal faster and feel better.
Who Must Stay Away From Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is safe, however, it is not for everybody. There’s always an exception. And here, some people need to avoid it or, atleast, minimize using it.
Severe Acne Patients
Patients who are suffering from grade three acne with numerous blackhead and whitehead appearances will be unsatisfied with the results of niacinamide. To make it effective, Salicylic acid or adapalene will have to be added to the formulation.
Aging Skins
For anyone aged above 40 with characteristic ageing problems, there is not going to be enough improvement by using only niacinamide. Products that contain niacinamide with Retinol, peptides, or bakuchiol products are taken for.
Patients with Melasma
Individuals who have the condition for a longer period may require using niacinamide along with others like glycolic acid, alpha arbutin, or liquorice extract.
How To Use Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is such a multifaceted product that depends on how you use it, so, the results can either brighten up your day or make you feel low for your skincare efforts.
To get the most out of it, make sure to use it appropriately with the following rules in mind – “After washing the face, apply niacinamide on skin when it’s still a little moist. At that time, pores are open so it absorbs better.” Blend 3-4 drops of serum (never more) and tap this into your face gently. Remember, do not rub! Additionally, make sure to use clean tools and hands to help prevent contamination. Apply niacinamide before other skin care products.
For dry skin, use niacinamide with a cream product to moisturize your complexion. Niacinamide is one of those ingredients that, when used in the right way, can make your skincare routine much better.
By layering niacinamide, you’ll start noticing an improvement in the texture and tone of your skin and general hydration.
Common Niacinamide Mistakes
Niacinamide is a great skincare ingredient, but the wrong use of it dilutes its benefits. Here are some common mistakes to not commit in any condition.
Applying on Dry Skin
While niacinamide is widely accepted as a water-soluble, a lesser-known fact in the beauty industry is, some performs better when applied to damp skin. It improves absorption and penetration on your skin. It is recommended to not apply on dry skin as you may see no results.
Using It Alone – Concentrated
Niacinamide does wonders, but it might fall short if you use it on its own for an active acne or melasma condition. For the ultimate niacinamide cocktail, combine it in your skin routine with salicylic acid (for acne), or glycolic acid (for hyperpigmentations). This combination makes it more effective.
Irregular Usage
We all know- consistency is key, no one’s going to get overnight results with niacinamide. You need 6–8 months of continuous use to really see a difference in skin texture, tone and acne management. So, you should avoid skipping days or using it irregularly.
Overdoing It With Niacinamide
Just like any other skincare product, using too much niacinamide on your skin can be harmful. On the other side, overly strong concentrations or too-frequent use can also cause irritation, redness and even outbreaks of blemishes if you apply niacinamide in high dosages (greater than 10%).
It will sensitize your skin even further, especially if used in combination with other active ingredients. It is advisable that you always start with a lesser percentage and the intensity can be increased as per the tolerance by your skin.
Niacinamide Applications in Cosmetics
Niacinamide is common in many cosmetics, but the other ingredients used vary according to the desired effect. It prevents the ingredients from drying your skin and irritating it. Niacinamide is available in the following Cosmetics:
Face Washes
Face washes that contain niacinamides with effective ingredients act as skin brightening duo such as Niacinamide and Licorice root extract. It gently dissolves debris and eliminates impurities from the skin while increasing radiance and luminosity.
Some of the best face washes recommended by Dr. Ritika are
- Cetaphil Brightening Cleanser
- 3% Niacinamide Foaming Face Wash
- 10% Niacinamide Face Wash
Serums
Niacinamide is widely used in serums due to its versatility in addressing various skin concerns, such as uneven tone, acne, and fine lines. Some of the best niacinamide serums recommended by Dr Ritika are
- ordinary 10% niacinamide
- minimalist niacinamide 10% face serum
- COSRX 74% snail mucin with 5% niacinamide
Moisturizers
A moisturizer with niacinamide, added as a part of a daily skincare routine, would calm down the skin, reduce tewl, and increase hydration to the outermost layer of the skin, add this nutrient with beneficial effects as a result of your skincare. Some of the best moisturizers recommended by Dr Ritika are
- Pore Minimizing Daily Face Moisturizer with 3% Niacinamide 3% PHA and p-REFINYL®
- SUGAR Skincare The Fresh Reset Gel
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
With all the effective serums, moisturizers and face washes, niacinamide soap is widely used for body skin improvement. It does wonders. So, you have a variety of options to choose from according to what challenges you’re facing with your skin!
Niacinamide is available in several concentrations
The concentration ranges between 2% to 10%. Here are the proper choosing of the right concentration:
- 5% concentration should be used if you’re a beginner, especially if your serum contains anti-inflammatory products such as Centella Asiatica and Aloe Vera.
- If you have been taking niacinamide for 8-9 months; you may choose to increase the concentration to 10%.
- Most users get great results with 5% concentration, but you can use a higher concentration if your skin tolerates it pretty well.
Does Niacinamide Cause Purging?
Purging is pretty unlikely with niacinamide, but it could trigger irritation on sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Caution – If you have sensitive skin then your skin can react to new products so keep that in mind before incorporating niacinamide into your routine.
Inflammation might present itself through redness, itchiness or tiny zits but that does not always equate to it purging your skin. Always go for patch tests in a small area to avoid irritation.
Test with Niacinamide serum just behind your neck for 48 hours but if it causes no redness or reaction, you can very likely get away with using it on your face. This is a way to test for any allergies before applying it on more delicate areas to lessen irritation chances.
How to Layer with Other Ingredients
Your application will be determined by the Niacinamide product you’re using. Products of niacinamide, what does it do for your skin can only be known by the layering method you use. Applying a Niacinamide toner differs from using a serum or moisturizer containing this component.
For optimum results, follow the product’s instructions.
It is usually recommended to use leave-on Niacinamide products such as toners, serums, and moisturizers twice a day. Keep in mind that you can use more than one Niacinamide product in your skincare regimen.
After cleansing and drying your skin, apply a Niacinamide toner, followed by a Niacinamide serum or face cream.
What we highlight the most is the product’s stacking arrangement. It should be:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Serum
- Face Cream
- Sunscreen
Hint: Go from lightest to heaviest! Large products can also go over if fat is applied to a thin product.
Conclusion
Niacinamide is one of the most multifaceted products within skin care. It can be used on pretty much any skin type or concern reducing acne to wrinkles. Just remember to start slow in terms of how much you use and commit to applying it regularly for optimal benefits.
In this blog we learned about Niacinamide, what does it do for your skin, its uses, who can use it and more informative facts that’ll help you make your daily skincare routine effective and give you outstanding results.
Furthermore, talk to a dermatologist if you have any questions about when or how to add niacinamide to your skincare routine or want personalized recommendations.
Facing one of the listed issues and need to learn more about it? Contact and get personalised skin care tips from Dr Ritika Dhingra today!
