What is niacinamide and what benefits does it have on the skin?
Posted by Ivatherm
Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that, along with natural substances in the skin's texture, works to minimize enlarged pores, improve skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and restore radiance to dull skin.
Cosmetic products containing niacinamide help strengthen the skin's natural barrier, reducing water loss from the skin. As a result, the skin's appearance will be visibly improved.
In this article, we explain what niacinamide is, how it works, and what benefits it has for the skin: from reducing redness and spots to combating acne, fine lines, and oxidative stress. You will also learn how to use it correctly, how to choose the right products, and what possible side effects may occur.
Table of Contents
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. Niacinamide is, in fact, the topical version of vitamin B3. The other form, found in food supplements and certain foods, including meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals, is called niacin.
Niacinamide is a key ingredient in many cosmetic products. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide can be useful in managing acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation spots.
Niacinamide is also one of the active ingredients used in some anti-aging products, especially serums. Used in the daily skincare routine, niacinamide has significant effects on the skin, leaving it smoother and more hydrated.
Niacinamide is a gentle ingredient, so cosmetic products containing it can be used in both morning and evening routines.
The results of using topical products with niacinamide become visible after 4 to 12 weeks. The skin will be smoother, more hydrated, and more toned.
Benefits of niacinamide for the skin
Niacinamide supports protein synthesis in the skin and prevents potential damage caused by environmental factors. Niacinamide is used in many cosmetic products because it has numerous benefits for the skin.
Firms the skin
Niacinamide helps form keratin, a protein that keeps the skin firm and healthy.
Strengthens the lipid barrier
Niacinamide can help skin strengthen its lipid barrier, which in turn helps retain water. This is beneficial for all skin types, but the effects of niacinamide are especially noticeable in people suffering from eczema or with mature skin.
Reduces redness and the appearance of spots
Niacinamide reduces skin inflammation, thus helping to alleviate redness associated with eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Regulates sebum levels and reduces pores
Among the beneficial effects of niacinamide is regulating sebum levels, which leads to reduced pores and improved skin texture on the surface.
Protects skin against sun damage
Niacinamide can protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. It thus has a photoprotective role, minimizing the effects that UVA and UVB radiation can have on the skin.
Research has shown that cosmetic products containing niacinamide, used for 4-8 weeks, help reduce hyperpigmentation spots. This is also due to niacinamide's support for collagen production.
Ivawhite depigmenting cream, which contains niacinamide, inhibits melanin transfer and significantly reduces brown spots. This Ivatherm product visibly depigments and whitens the skin, increases luminosity, and smooths sensitive skin with hyperpigmentation and dark spots. It also reduces the number, size, and color intensity of solar lentigines (sun spots) and senile lentigines (age spots), melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Recent research has also shown that products with a 5% niacinamide concentration are useful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, which appear with age and due to excessive sun exposure.
Protects against oxidative stress
Niacinamide helps form skin cells, while protecting them from aggressive environmental factors, including sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
Treats acne
Niacinamide is a useful ingredient for treating severe acne, especially inflammatory forms, which involve the appearance of papules and pustules. Using products with niacinamide reduces lesions over time and improves skin texture.
How niacinamide works and how to use it
A balanced diet is the best way to obtain micronutrients, such as vitamin B3. Food supplements should only be consumed if there is a deficiency and only on a doctor's recommendation.
Therefore, the benefits of niacinamide for skin health can be obtained from the foods you consume that are rich in vitamin B3: eggs, cereals, green vegetables, beans, fish, and milk.
However, there is no guarantee that dietary nutrients will impact overall skin health. Therefore, the most effective way to ensure that niacinamide will act on your skin is to use its topical variant, through serums, creams, or cleansing lotions.
How do you use products containing niacinamide?
Most topical niacinamide products are on the market in the form of serums. These should be applied, both in the morning and in the evening, after cleansing and toning the skin and before moisturizing it.
There are also some makeup remover products that contain niacinamide, as well as some moisturizers, sun protection creams, and face masks.
How do you choose a product containing niacinamide?
Cosmetic products containing niacinamide have different concentrations of this ingredient. Most, however, have formulas with 5%, as this is the concentration that, according to research, is effective in treating hyperpigmentation and damage caused by prolonged sun exposure.
For people with sensitive skin, a lower concentration is recommended. Products with a 2% niacinamide content can help alleviate the symptoms of eczema and other similar conditions.
The labels of the products specify both the concentration of niacinamide they contain and how they should be used. Niacinamide can also be listed as niacin or nicotinamide.
Can niacinamide be combined with other cosmetic ingredients?
For better results, niacinamide can be used alongside other active ingredients. For example, some research suggests that niacinamide can work well with copper, folic acid, and zinc in treating acne.
At the same time, the effectiveness of a niacinamide serum can be higher if it also contains hyaluronic acid, butylresorcinol, thyme extract, andLicorice.
However, be careful when using niacinamide in combination with vitamin C. Experts recommend using the two ingredients at different times of the day, because if combined, vitamin C may lose its antioxidant properties.
What are the side effects of using niacinamide?
Topical niacinamide is considered safe to use, with no adverse effects after local application. Allergic reactions are very rare. To avoid such situations, a sensitivity test is recommended. How does it work? A small amount of product is applied to the forearm and left to act for 24 hours. If the skin reddens, pruritus (itching) and swelling appear, the area should be cleaned quickly and the product avoided. On the other hand, if no side effects appear, niacinamide can be applied to another area of the body.
Therefore, when applied topically, every day, niacinamide can have a positive impact on overall skin health. This ingredient, used in many cosmetic products, can help reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation, contribute to smoothing skin texture, and brighten the complexion. It may take up to several weeks to notice a visible improvement, so it is important that the skincare routine is followed every day.
Echipa Ivatherm
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.
What is niacinamide and what benefits does it have on the skin?
Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that, along with natural substances in the skin's texture, works to minimize enlarged pores, improve skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and restore radiance to dull skin.
Cosmetic products containing niacinamide help strengthen the skin's natural barrier, reducing water loss from the skin. As a result, the skin's appearance will be visibly improved.
In this article, we explain what niacinamide is, how it works, and what benefits it has for the skin: from reducing redness and spots to combating acne, fine lines, and oxidative stress. You will also learn how to use it correctly, how to choose the right products, and what possible side effects may occur.
Table of Contents
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. Niacinamide is, in fact, the topical version of vitamin B3. The other form, found in food supplements and certain foods, including meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals, is called niacin.
Niacinamide is a key ingredient in many cosmetic products. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide can be useful in managing acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation spots.
Niacinamide is also one of the active ingredients used in some anti-aging products, especially serums. Used in the daily skincare routine, niacinamide has significant effects on the skin, leaving it smoother and more hydrated.
Niacinamide is a gentle ingredient, so cosmetic products containing it can be used in both morning and evening routines.
The results of using topical products with niacinamide become visible after 4 to 12 weeks. The skin will be smoother, more hydrated, and more toned.
Benefits of niacinamide for the skin
Niacinamide supports protein synthesis in the skin and prevents potential damage caused by environmental factors. Niacinamide is used in many cosmetic products because it has numerous benefits for the skin.
Firms the skin
Niacinamide helps form keratin, a protein that keeps the skin firm and healthy.
Strengthens the lipid barrier
Niacinamide can help skin strengthen its lipid barrier, which in turn helps retain water. This is beneficial for all skin types, but the effects of niacinamide are especially noticeable in people suffering from eczema or with mature skin.
Reduces redness and the appearance of spots
Niacinamide reduces skin inflammation, thus helping to alleviate redness associated with eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
Regulates sebum levels and reduces pores
Among the beneficial effects of niacinamide is regulating sebum levels, which leads to reduced pores and improved skin texture on the surface.
Protects skin against sun damage
Niacinamide can protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. It thus has a photoprotective role, minimizing the effects that UVA and UVB radiation can have on the skin.
Treats hyperpigmentation
Research has shown that cosmetic products containing niacinamide, used for 4-8 weeks, help reduce hyperpigmentation spots. This is also due to niacinamide's support for collagen production.
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Recent research has also shown that products with a 5% niacinamide concentration are useful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, which appear with age and due to excessive sun exposure.
Protects against oxidative stress
Niacinamide helps form skin cells, while protecting them from aggressive environmental factors, including sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
Treats acne
Niacinamide is a useful ingredient for treating severe acne, especially inflammatory forms, which involve the appearance of papules and pustules. Using products with niacinamide reduces lesions over time and improves skin texture.
How niacinamide works and how to use it
A balanced diet is the best way to obtain micronutrients, such as vitamin B3. Food supplements should only be consumed if there is a deficiency and only on a doctor's recommendation.
Therefore, the benefits of niacinamide for skin health can be obtained from the foods you consume that are rich in vitamin B3: eggs, cereals, green vegetables, beans, fish, and milk.
However, there is no guarantee that dietary nutrients will impact overall skin health. Therefore, the most effective way to ensure that niacinamide will act on your skin is to use its topical variant, through serums, creams, or cleansing lotions.
How do you use products containing niacinamide?
Most topical niacinamide products are on the market in the form of serums. These should be applied, both in the morning and in the evening, after cleansing and toning the skin and before moisturizing it.
There are also some makeup remover products that contain niacinamide, as well as some moisturizers, sun protection creams, and face masks.
How do you choose a product containing niacinamide?
Cosmetic products containing niacinamide have different concentrations of this ingredient. Most, however, have formulas with 5%, as this is the concentration that, according to research, is effective in treating hyperpigmentation and damage caused by prolonged sun exposure.
For people with sensitive skin, a lower concentration is recommended. Products with a 2% niacinamide content can help alleviate the symptoms of eczema and other similar conditions.
The labels of the products specify both the concentration of niacinamide they contain and how they should be used. Niacinamide can also be listed as niacin or nicotinamide.
Can niacinamide be combined with other cosmetic ingredients?
For better results, niacinamide can be used alongside other active ingredients. For example, some research suggests that niacinamide can work well with copper, folic acid, and zinc in treating acne.
At the same time, the effectiveness of a niacinamide serum can be higher if it also contains hyaluronic acid, butylresorcinol, thyme extract, and Licorice.
However, be careful when using niacinamide in combination with vitamin C. Experts recommend using the two ingredients at different times of the day, because if combined, vitamin C may lose its antioxidant properties.
What are the side effects of using niacinamide?
Topical niacinamide is considered safe to use, with no adverse effects after local application. Allergic reactions are very rare. To avoid such situations, a sensitivity test is recommended. How does it work? A small amount of product is applied to the forearm and left to act for 24 hours. If the skin reddens, pruritus (itching) and swelling appear, the area should be cleaned quickly and the product avoided. On the other hand, if no side effects appear, niacinamide can be applied to another area of the body.
Therefore, when applied topically, every day, niacinamide can have a positive impact on overall skin health. This ingredient, used in many cosmetic products, can help reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation, contribute to smoothing skin texture, and brighten the complexion. It may take up to several weeks to notice a visible improvement, so it is important that the skincare routine is followed every day.
Echipa Ivatherm
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.