Everything You Need To Know Before Using Niacinamide For Skin Care

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If you are an esthetician or someone who rigidly follows a skincare regime, you must have wondered, what's the buzz about "niacinamide "? And how it's beneficial for skin or why it has become a must-have ingredient for one's skincare routine. While niacinamide is extremely important for good metabolism and a healthy nervous system, it also offers a wide range of skincare benefits. It has recently become a star ingredient in the slew of new skincare products. Among many other skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and Hyaluronic Acid, niacinamide is a star because of its versatile nature. Niacinamide products suit almost all skin types making it the user's favourite choice.

You must have wondered why this new vitamin B3 form is all over the place. So this is all you need to know about niacinamide, its benefit for the skin and how to use it, and its side effects.

What Is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide. On an everyday basis, our skin suffers a lot of damage which breaks and strips skin's natural glow making it dull and tidy. Niacinamide is one such ingredient that can make your skin rejuvenate and give it all the moisturization it needs. It is also known for its hydrating nature that keeps acne and opens pores away.

Generally, you can get a sufficient portion of niacinamide in your daily diet and food but if you wish to see a remarkable difference in skin, you can also use niacinamide products. Niacinamide benefits include minimizing enlarged pores, improving uneven skin tone, reducing wrinkles and dullness, and tightening lax. Moreover, niacinamide also helps you repair your skin from natural damage.

If applied properly and in a set pattern, niacinamide serums and products can improve skin texture and reduce skin inflammation thus smoothening your skin.

What Does Niacinamide Do To Your Skin?

Lack of niacin in the skin can lead to peeling red skin, diarrhea, dementia, tongue redness, etc. Niacinamide is very popular for its ability to reduce skin redness, enlarged pores, etc.

As proven in research, niacinamide produces Keratin, a type of protein that keeps your skin tight and healthy. Niacinamide helps hydrate skin, treats hyperpigmentation, promotes skin elasticity, decreases redness and blotchiness, and acts as an antioxidant, fighting free radicals. It is typically administered to the skin to treat eczema, acne, and other skin issues. One of the most crucial skin benefits is anti-aging. Niacinamide can smooth the skin's texture in a variety of ways.

Niacinamide contributes to the strengthening of the skin's natural defense system by encouraging the development of ceramides and elastin, both essential elements of the skin barrier. As a result, the skin becomes healthier and more hydrated, and it is better able to protect itself from external irritants and moisture loss.

Niacinamide Benefits For Skin Care

Niacinamide for skin care is like a one-stop solution for all your skin worries. It has many good properties like brightening, anti-inflammatory, and other skin soothing properties. Moreover, it also even out hyperpigmentation in just a few usages. Niacinamide's benefit is uncountable since it's very gentle by its nature, and it's extremely beneficial for sensitive skin.

Some of its benefits include:

SKIN MOISTURISING

Our epidermis, or skin barrier, serves several purposes, including our protection from sources of infection (such as viruses and bacteria) and halting water loss to keep us hydrated. Niacinamide topical application may support the maintenance of this process and keep your skin hydrated.

HELPFUL IN ACNE TREATMENT & PREVENTION

The sebaceous glands on your face, neck, upper chest, and back create sebum or oil. Niacinamide topical 2% may reduce sebum (oil) production in your skin. Niacinamide's capacity to control oil production, especially in those with oily skin, may help prevent and treat breakouts because too much oil can lead to acne. It might also work well in conjunction with other acne treatments.

PROTECT SKIN FROM SUN DAMAGE & POLLUTION

Your skin is damaged by environmental hazards like ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pollution, which release substances called reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although your skin already has some antioxidant defenses against sun damage, topical niacinamide can provide extra defense and help prevent ROS generation.

MINIMISE SKIN REDNESS

Niacinamide, used topically, has anti-inflammatory properties. This could aid in reducing the redness brought on by eczema, inflammatory acne, and other skin irritants.

HELPFUL IN TREATMENT IN HYPERPIGMENTATION

Hyperpigmentation is the term for the black, brown, or grey spots that can appear on your skin as a result of aging, photodamage, and other skin problems. Niacinamide may help lighten these dark spots.

MINIMISE FINE LINES & WRINKLES

Signs of aging and sun damage include fine lines and wrinkles. They often originate from inflammation and oxidative damage. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this type of vitamin B3 may have anti-aging effects when applied topically, which could help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

SKIN BRIGHTENING ELEMENT & MORE

Vitamin C, arbutin, azelaic acid, niacinamide, mulberry, bearberry, and licorice extracts are some of the best, most well-studied skin-brightening substances. Each one targets the many causes of uneven and lifeless skin tone and decreases discolorations in its special way. The majority of substances that lighten skin have several uses and also have antioxidant and moisturizing properties.

Niacinamide has additional advantages, such as protecting the skin's surface from dryness and moisture loss. Over time, ceramide levels drop, leaving skin susceptible to a variety of issues, such as recurrent patches of dry, flaky skin and heightened sensitivity. Niacinamide topical application has been demonstrated to enhance the hydrating capacity of moisturizers, allowing the skin's surface to better withstand moisture loss that causes recurrent dry, tight, flaky skin.

Is Niacinamide Good For Dry Skin Or Oily Skin?

Niacinamide products are good for all types of skin, depending on their usage. It is beneficial for dry skin types and moisturizes the skin. At the same time, it also benefits those with acne-prone skin as it has been proved to reduce oil production.

People can choose from a wide array of niacinamide products, including cream, toner, moisturizer, or even niacinamide serum. Topical niacinamide application has been shown to improve the moisturizing properties of moisturizers, enabling the skin's surface to more effectively withstand moisture loss that results in persistently dry, tight, flaky skin. As per a research conducted in 2006, a 2% topical niacinamide product was reported to reduce sebum excretion rates over just four weeks.

Niacinamide not only reduces oil production but is also a fantastic hydrator, helps support a stronger skin barrier, and provides antioxidant defense against external stresses. Additionally, due to its soothing quality, any skin type can use it.

What Should Niacinamide Be Paired With for Maximal Results?

Niacinamide should not be used in a highly concentrated form. It's always better to avoid high concentrated or pure forms of niacinamide for the skin. Niacinamide can be partnered with other skincare products like retinol, hyaluronic acid, kojic acid, toner, moisturizer, etc. To get the most out of the niacinamide benefit, include it in your daily skincare routine. Swapping it with your regular serum and getting niacinamide-infused serum can do the work. Or else you can also buy other skincare products like the notion, moisturizer, or cream. Although the best form suggested by experts is "Niacinamide serum."

We naturally lose moisture as we grow old; Niacinamide serum or lotion will help store hydration of the skin and make you look younger.

Peptides

Ceramides

Hyaluronic Acid

AHAs & BHAs

Warning: Using niacinamide products with vitamin C can adversely affect the skin and lead to niacin. Moreover, it can also cause skin irritation and transient flushing.

Side Effects Of Niacinamide

As per experts and most clinical studies, niacinamide and its products are safe for all skin types but the most common side effects include mild burning, skin itching, irritation, and redness. Oral niacinamide or niacinamide supplements are more prone to side effects as they dissolve in the body. It can start with redness and skin irritation, which will reduce over time but if you continue to suffer from these side effects for a longer time, you must consult your dermatologist.

Generally, skin irritation and redness are due to the highly concentrated form of niacinamide products. The tolerability of a substance is also influenced by the concentration used. Try a lower dose if you notice itchiness or redness, and stop using the product until the response subsides. Use it cautiously at first, once a week to start, then gradually increase usage to prevent irritation. Niacinamide can be used as a cleanser, toner, serum, or moisturizer and in any other phase of your skincare routine (day or night), but it's important to add SPF during the day for optimum UV protection.

How Do You Do A Patch Test Before Introducing Niacinamide Into Your Skincare Regime?

Before you add a new ingredient to your skincare regime, it's always advisable to first conduct a patch test, to see how your skin reacts to the new ingredient.

Apply a pea-sized amount first on your forearm.

Wait for 24 hours before evaluating a product to see how it performs for you.

If you see any swelling, skin redness, or itching, wipe the affected area well and stop using it.

It will be okay to use elsewhere if your skin reacts favorably and without any negative side effects.

When Will You See A Noticeable Change In Skin?

Effects of niacinamide vary on each individual, some might notice the difference in just 4 uses, and others may take 4 weeks to feel the difference but studies show that it may take up to 6-12 weeks to see the difference in skin.

Although you can feel the difference over time, and it will improve over time, do not expect spotless, poreless skin (also, skin's pores are necessary for many essential processes). Pores that appear smaller, skin tone that appears more even, significantly fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and an overall healthier glow are what you may anticipate.

If you're interested in utilizing niacinamide to treat acne, speak with a healthcare professional who can address all other concerns too and provides you advice on the most effective way to apply this vitamin to your skin.

How To Use Niacinamide for Skin Care?

Imagine it as your diet: Avocado is nutritious, but if that were all you consumed, you would quickly become undernourished since your body requires a variety of healthy food to remain in good health. So similarly, it stands true for skin too.

Niacinamide can typically be taken at any time of day, up to twice daily, depending on the formulation, and it usually works well when combined with other medications. It should only be used in modest quantities since large concentrations can cause irritation to the skin.

Niacinamide-containing products can also be applied to the area around your eyes. Some people may discover that using an eye cream or moisturizer containing niacinamide reduces the dark circles while also allowing this delicate area to hold onto moisture that smooths the skin and prevents loss of firmness.

What To Look For While Choosing A Niacinamide Product?

Depending on the ingredients, niacinamide concentration can change. The majority of items have a formulation of 5% or less. Niacinamide formulations with a 5 percent concentration have reportedly been shown to be effective in treating sun damage and hyperpigmentation.

To relieve the symptoms of acne, eczema, or other skin disorders, it is recommended that people with sensitive skin start with a formulation containing 2% niacinamide.

Everything You Need To Know Before Using Niacinamide For Skin Care...

07/09/2022