WHAT IS NIACINAMIDE? WHAT NIACINAMIDE DOES TO SKIN? WHAT ARE THE SKINCARE BENEFITS OF NIACINAMIDE WHEN APPLIED TOPICALLY? NIACINAMIDE USES AND BENEFITS
Hey everyone.
I have been planning to write a dedicated blog post for ingredients in skincare and now starting it with a detailed blog regarding one of my most favorite skincare ingredient, Niacinamide.
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 (niacin) which is also known as nicotinamide.
It helps to manage acne, pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, rosacea, etc. Niacinamide is water-soluable ingredient which majorly helps to brighten the skin and strengthen it (skin barrier). How it does that? Read more to know.
It is found effective because it’s precursor to two super important biochemical cofactors- nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+).
Cells repair the damage, propagate and function which are basically chemical reactions which can’t occur without NAD+ and the two molecules mentioned are the central to the reactions. When body gets precursor i.e., niacinamide, body makes more NAD+ which helps with the cell reactions to repair the damage. This in turn helps the body to absorb and neutralize more free radicals, which damages healthy cells.
There is evidence that topical niacinamide (when applied on skin) can increase the production of ceramides, which are lipids that help to maintain skin’s protective barrier.
A simple skincare formula is healthy skin barrier is the basic step towards healthy skin i.e., healthy skin means less trans epidermal water loss. It will in turn help to manage issues like fine lines, wrinkles and as known, helps to restore the skin’s moisture barrier. It is also known to reduce the damage caused by sun exposure.
Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it one key ingredient to deal with acne. It calms inflammation and skin sensitivity. Niacinamide also can control oil production which helps people dealing with acne. It is suggested to sensitive dry skin people majorly since it is better and non-irritating compared to other acne treatments (which are generally suggested for oily acne prone skin).
It is an ingredient majorly found in skincare products due to various reasons, out of which a few are listed. Topical niacinamide helps to even out the skin tone, treat dullness and also reduce the appearance of pores.
When skin’s primary concerns are wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C and retinoids are suggested more than niacinamide. But if skin requires gentle nonirritant treatment, then niacinamide can be a good option.
Skin barrier is a layer of fats and ceramides that the skin produces aiming to prevent loss of water (dehydration). Due to usage of harsh cleansers, soaps and a lot more reasons, skin barrier is affected. It can be due to excessive cleansing/ excess exfoliation and aging is also a factor. Affected skin barrier triggers breakout.
To help skin with restoring/ rebuilding the barrier, niacinamide is used which increase levels of ceramide and fatty acids. Studies prove that niacinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides. Avoid using actives when skin barrier is damaged because it can worsen the skin.
If skin barrier is affected, skin goes through a lot. It loses all moisture no matter how much you hydrate. Niacinamide can be quite helpful in this case. It makes skin look plump and adds glow.
Niacinamide has excellent anti-aging properties too. Retinoids are not suitable for every skin type. It is the same case with any skincare ingredient. Retinoids dry out the skin and need to be extra careful with it. If you have dry, sensitive skin then niacinamide is a good alternative. It is suitable for all skin types generally.
Niacinamide can cause purging or slight irritation initially for some people which can gradually go away.
Niacinamide can balance oil production. It helps to modify the composition of sebum which becomes less pore clogging. This leads to less acne. Cleaner the pores, lesser chances of acne. Niacinamide is an anti oxidant which can also prevent sebum oxidation.
Niacinamide known to suit all skin types but as mentioned before, due to various reasons it becomes one loved ingredient for dry sensitive acne prone skin. Dry acne prone skins are difficult to deal with. Niacinamide being non irritating skin barrier restoring ingredient, is well known to treat dry acne. But some people find niacinamide irritating too.
If you have a toner with niacinamide, first cleanse and then tone. You can go ahead and use chemical exfoliants like AHA/BHA next to it, vitamin C serum and then moisturizer and sunscreen for AM routine (Morning skincare). You can use Vitamin C and niacinamide together in a routine. A lot of different forms of Vitamin C available which can work at different pH level. If you are using niacinamide in form of serum/essence, go with exfoliation before and then use niacinamide serum followed with moisturizer and then sunscreen.
You can also follow a similar routine for PM too. Use products which suit your skin type and layer the way in which it suits you. Always listen to your skin and act accordingly.
There are a lot of products available with niacinamide. You can choose and use whatever suits you. There are a few products known to work a lot and loved by many. So here’s the list.
1. Starting with the not so ordinary product. The ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc 1%
Zinc helps with acne. Go for it if your skin can tolerate zinc.
2. The inkey list niacinamide serum. It also has much loved ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and squalane. It doesn’t have zinc unlike ordinary niacinamide.
3. Paula’s choice 10% niacinamide booster. Vitamin B3 + Vitamin B5. It is very light weight having water like texture.
4. Paula’s choice niacinamide 20% treatment with acetyl glucosamine + purslane.
5. Paula’s choice pore reducing toner with niacinamide.
6. Good molecules niacinamide serum. It has 10% niacinamide.
7. Suganda niacinamide 10% serum. It’s an Indian skincare brand.
8. Suganda white lotus moisturizer with 4% niacinamide. This moisturizer is more like a serum. It’s very light weight. Use it as moisturizer for combination to oily skin. Other skin types can use this as a serum and to it with a moisturizer.
9. Klairs freshly juiced vitamin E mask. It contains vitamin E with niacinamide.
10. Purito fermented complex 94 boosting essence. It contains 3% niacinamide.
11. Apothaka barrier support serum with niacinamide, ceramides & hyaluronic acid.
12. Somebymi yuja niacin brightening moisture gel cream. It has 5% niacinamide.
13. Cosrx vita C bright toner. It has niacinamide along with vitamin E.
14. Kravebeauty great barrier relief with tamanu oil, safflower oil, rosehip oil, vitamin B3, ceramide and much more.
15. The derma co 10% niacinamide serum. It has vitamin B3 + zinc.
16. Maelove nia 10 calming serum. It has 10% niacinamide, zinc, white tea extract, aloe, vitamin e, mushroom extracts.
17. Good vibes vitamin C & vitamin B3 skin glow serum.
18. Tiam vitaB3 source.
19. Revolution skincare 10% niacinamide + 1% zinc blemish & ore refining serum.
20. NY Bae skinfident serum with vitamin B and niacinamide.
21. Fiducia botanicals daily brightening concentrate. It contains niacinamide along with other ingredients like rose hydrosol, aloe vera, allantoin, d panthenol, hyaluronic acid, seabuckthorn extract and alpha arbutin.
I have been planning to write a dedicated blog post for ingredients in skincare and now starting it with a detailed blog regarding one of my most favorite skincare ingredient, Niacinamide.
WHAT'S NIACINAMIDE?
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 (niacin) which is also known as nicotinamide.
It helps to manage acne, pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, rosacea, etc. Niacinamide is water-soluable ingredient which majorly helps to brighten the skin and strengthen it (skin barrier). How it does that? Read more to know.
HOW IT WORKS?
It is found effective because it’s precursor to two super important biochemical cofactors- nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+).
Cells repair the damage, propagate and function which are basically chemical reactions which can’t occur without NAD+ and the two molecules mentioned are the central to the reactions. When body gets precursor i.e., niacinamide, body makes more NAD+ which helps with the cell reactions to repair the damage. This in turn helps the body to absorb and neutralize more free radicals, which damages healthy cells.
There is evidence that topical niacinamide (when applied on skin) can increase the production of ceramides, which are lipids that help to maintain skin’s protective barrier.
A simple skincare formula is healthy skin barrier is the basic step towards healthy skin i.e., healthy skin means less trans epidermal water loss. It will in turn help to manage issues like fine lines, wrinkles and as known, helps to restore the skin’s moisture barrier. It is also known to reduce the damage caused by sun exposure.
IN DETAIL
Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it one key ingredient to deal with acne. It calms inflammation and skin sensitivity. Niacinamide also can control oil production which helps people dealing with acne. It is suggested to sensitive dry skin people majorly since it is better and non-irritating compared to other acne treatments (which are generally suggested for oily acne prone skin).
It is an ingredient majorly found in skincare products due to various reasons, out of which a few are listed. Topical niacinamide helps to even out the skin tone, treat dullness and also reduce the appearance of pores.
When skin’s primary concerns are wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C and retinoids are suggested more than niacinamide. But if skin requires gentle nonirritant treatment, then niacinamide can be a good option.
FOR SKIN BARRIER
Skin barrier is a layer of fats and ceramides that the skin produces aiming to prevent loss of water (dehydration). Due to usage of harsh cleansers, soaps and a lot more reasons, skin barrier is affected. It can be due to excessive cleansing/ excess exfoliation and aging is also a factor. Affected skin barrier triggers breakout.
To help skin with restoring/ rebuilding the barrier, niacinamide is used which increase levels of ceramide and fatty acids. Studies prove that niacinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides. Avoid using actives when skin barrier is damaged because it can worsen the skin.
If skin barrier is affected, skin goes through a lot. It loses all moisture no matter how much you hydrate. Niacinamide can be quite helpful in this case. It makes skin look plump and adds glow.
ANTI-AGING
Niacinamide has excellent anti-aging properties too. Retinoids are not suitable for every skin type. It is the same case with any skincare ingredient. Retinoids dry out the skin and need to be extra careful with it. If you have dry, sensitive skin then niacinamide is a good alternative. It is suitable for all skin types generally.
Niacinamide can cause purging or slight irritation initially for some people which can gradually go away.
TREAT ACNE
Niacinamide can balance oil production. It helps to modify the composition of sebum which becomes less pore clogging. This leads to less acne. Cleaner the pores, lesser chances of acne. Niacinamide is an anti oxidant which can also prevent sebum oxidation.
Niacinamide known to suit all skin types but as mentioned before, due to various reasons it becomes one loved ingredient for dry sensitive acne prone skin. Dry acne prone skins are difficult to deal with. Niacinamide being non irritating skin barrier restoring ingredient, is well known to treat dry acne. But some people find niacinamide irritating too.
HOW TO LAYER NIACINAMIDE
Niacinamide is formulated in various forms like toner, essence, serum, light moisturizer or cream. You can layer niacinamide however you like and prefer. Niacinamide can be present in the toner as well as your moisturizer and you can layer it as usual if your skin can take it.If you have a toner with niacinamide, first cleanse and then tone. You can go ahead and use chemical exfoliants like AHA/BHA next to it, vitamin C serum and then moisturizer and sunscreen for AM routine (Morning skincare). You can use Vitamin C and niacinamide together in a routine. A lot of different forms of Vitamin C available which can work at different pH level. If you are using niacinamide in form of serum/essence, go with exfoliation before and then use niacinamide serum followed with moisturizer and then sunscreen.
You can also follow a similar routine for PM too. Use products which suit your skin type and layer the way in which it suits you. Always listen to your skin and act accordingly.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
There are a lot of products available with niacinamide. You can choose and use whatever suits you. There are a few products known to work a lot and loved by many. So here’s the list.
1. Starting with the not so ordinary product. The ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc 1%
Zinc helps with acne. Go for it if your skin can tolerate zinc.
2. The inkey list niacinamide serum. It also has much loved ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid and squalane. It doesn’t have zinc unlike ordinary niacinamide.
3. Paula’s choice 10% niacinamide booster. Vitamin B3 + Vitamin B5. It is very light weight having water like texture.
4. Paula’s choice niacinamide 20% treatment with acetyl glucosamine + purslane.
5. Paula’s choice pore reducing toner with niacinamide.
6. Good molecules niacinamide serum. It has 10% niacinamide.
7. Suganda niacinamide 10% serum. It’s an Indian skincare brand.
8. Suganda white lotus moisturizer with 4% niacinamide. This moisturizer is more like a serum. It’s very light weight. Use it as moisturizer for combination to oily skin. Other skin types can use this as a serum and to it with a moisturizer.
9. Klairs freshly juiced vitamin E mask. It contains vitamin E with niacinamide.
10. Purito fermented complex 94 boosting essence. It contains 3% niacinamide.
11. Apothaka barrier support serum with niacinamide, ceramides & hyaluronic acid.
12. Somebymi yuja niacin brightening moisture gel cream. It has 5% niacinamide.
13. Cosrx vita C bright toner. It has niacinamide along with vitamin E.
14. Kravebeauty great barrier relief with tamanu oil, safflower oil, rosehip oil, vitamin B3, ceramide and much more.
15. The derma co 10% niacinamide serum. It has vitamin B3 + zinc.
16. Maelove nia 10 calming serum. It has 10% niacinamide, zinc, white tea extract, aloe, vitamin e, mushroom extracts.
17. Good vibes vitamin C & vitamin B3 skin glow serum.
18. Tiam vitaB3 source.
19. Revolution skincare 10% niacinamide + 1% zinc blemish & ore refining serum.
20. NY Bae skinfident serum with vitamin B and niacinamide.
21. Fiducia botanicals daily brightening concentrate. It contains niacinamide along with other ingredients like rose hydrosol, aloe vera, allantoin, d panthenol, hyaluronic acid, seabuckthorn extract and alpha arbutin.
22. Vya naturals niacinamide serum.
23. Ponds super light gel oil free moisturizer. It contains niacinamide along with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, etc.
24. Pure bubbles niacinamide anti blemish pore refining serum.
25. Purito galacto niacin power essence.
26. Minimalist 5% / 10% niacinamide serum.
27. Dot & key ultimate spot corrector 10% niacinamide skin clearing serum.
28. Dr.Sheth's centella & niacinamide serum.
29. Earth rhythm 10% niacinamide revitalizing serum.
30. The derma co. 5% niacin toner.
There are a lot more amazing products with niacinamide. I have just listed a few. If you know anymore niacinamide product, do let us know.
I hope you found this blog post about niacinamide useful. Don’t forget to subscribe to Girlinstaglam using your email ID to get all my blogs to your inbox.
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XOXO
Amazing content Priya.. loved the post a lot ..
ReplyDeleteThanks Veena💕
DeleteAmazing blog girl! Please write about Retinol and squalene next! I am excited to know more about it!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Priyanka, it is really a needful, but i do have a query, as i recenrly venturing on skincare due to hormonal acne and scarring, previously it was not an issue. I have started incorporating aha bha (dot and key chemical exfoliant) and i bought also mini version of sunday riley retinoid serum. And also placed an order of corsx snail mucin essence. Previously i have used ryals vit c serum which was really an amzing one and vaunt multivitanin hydrator.. Thiking about getting ryals vit c serum again.. And also a sunscreen. The thing is, i do want to buy and get all such stuff. But not able to understand how to incorporate. Can u suggest what to u use and how to use. Currentky only using the chem exfoliant twice a week. And the retinoid, just started it from yesterday at night time. Please suggest.
ReplyDelete