You’ve heard about how vitamins A and C can improve skin health and appearance. What about vitamin B3 and one of its three forms, niacinamide?
Niacinamide is another powerful ingredient that can support your skin and help you feel more confident when you step out the door.
Learn more about niacinamide, its benefits, and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine below.
What Is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and is also known as nicotinamide.
This vitamin is present in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, milk, eggs, and green vegetables. It also plays a crucial role in sugar and fat metabolism, as well as cellular health.
Benefits of Niacinamide
In addition to its internal health benefits, niacinamide is also great for your skin. The following are some of the most well-known skin health benefits it provides:
Minimizes Pores
One of the most popular reasons people include niacinamide in their skincare routine is because it has been shown to minimize the appearance of large pores.
It’s not clear exactly how niacinamide produces this effect. However, some researchers believe that it positively affects the pore lining by preventing oil and debris from clogging them.
Clogged pores can lead to rough or bumpy-looking skin. Over time, clogs can also stretch the pores, resulting in enlargement and increased visibility.
Protects Against Sun Damage
It’s also important to note that sun damage can stretch the pores. Because niacinamide has photoprotective effects (meaning it shields the skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays), it can reduce the chances of this happening.
Some early research also suggests that niacinamide could help to prevent skin cancer (although more research is needed before researchers can prove this claim).
Increases Moisture
Niacinamide is an excellent product for those dealing with dry skin (and those who want to prevent their skin from drying out in the first place).
How does niacinamide increase moisture? It starts by renewing and restoring the skin’s lipid barrier, a protective layer of water and oil.
When the ceramides (types of fatty acids) in the skin become depleted, the skin is more vulnerable to damage caused by pollutants. It’s also harder to lock moisture in.
When you support the lipid barrier with products containing niacinamide, you’re less like to deal with dryness and other types of irritation.
Niacinamide also works by increasing the hydrating abilities of other moisturizers. It complements frequently used moisturizer ingredients, including glycerin, plant oils, sodium hyaluronate, and cholesterol.
When you use this product regularly, the skin becomes more resistant to moisture loss, dryness, and flakiness.
Prevents and Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Several factors contribute to wrinkles and fine lines, but dry skin and dehydration are some of the most significant ones. By using a product like niacinamide that increases your skin’s ability to absorb moisture, you can keep your skin looking smooth and youthful longer.
In addition to preventing wrinkles and fine lines from showing up in the first place, niacinamide can also boost hydration and minimize the appearance of existing ones. When your skin is dry, wrinkles and fine lines become more prominent, so it’s vital to continue moisturizing regularly.
Minimizes Dark Spots
Do you have dark spots caused by sun exposure or age (or both)? If so, niacinamide may help to correct discoloration and promote a more even skin tone.
Niacinamide has been shown to reduce dark spots, particularly when it’s used alongside other ingredients like hexylresorcinol and resveratrol (which are also common ingredients in many skincare products). It also contributed to a smoother texture and increased skin brightness.
One reason why niacinamide helps with dark spots is because it stimulates collagen synthesis. Collagen is a protein that plays a key role in supporting skin healing.
Reduces Redness
Many people find that products containing niacinamide help to reduce redness and inflammation -- including redness and inflammation brought on by acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Because of niacinamide’s potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, it can reduce irritation and protect the skin cells from damage caused by free radicals. It may also help to minimize aggravation brought on by harsher skincare products like retinol and glycolic acid, which have exfoliating properties.
How to Include Niacinamide in Your Skincare Routine
Niacinamide works well with many other common skincare ingredients, including peptides, hyaluronic acid, and various antioxidants. Because it’s compatible with these ingredients, it’s easy to incorporate a niacinamide cream into your skincare regimen.
If you want to start using niacinamide, apply it and your other skincare products in this order:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Exfoliant
- Serums, treatments, and moisturizers, including niacinamide (apply based on texture, from thinnest to thickest)
- If you apply these products in the morning, top them off with a moisturizer that contains sunscreen for additional anti-aging protection.
Like other skincare products, niacinamide typically takes a few weeks to produce noticeable results. Don’t panic if it doesn’t drastically change your skin’s appearance overnight.
What to Look for in Niacinamide Products
If you want to see the best results from niacinamide, you must use it consistently. You must also ensure you’re using a high-quality product.
Here are some tips that can help you choose the best one:
- Avoid parabens and other ingredients that could irritate the skin and potentially contribute to hormonal problems.
- Choose an encapsulated cream that contains liposomes, which improve nutrient absorption and help you see better results from your skincare products (including those containing niacinamide)
- Look for a guarantee. That way, if you decide a product isn’t right for you, you can return it and get a refund.
Check out reviews from past users, too. If people are generally satisfied with a niacinamide cream, there’s a better chance it will also work well for you.
Experience the Benefits of Niacinamide Today
Niacinamide is an excellent ingredient to add to your skincare routine. Whether you’re struggling with acne, dark spots, or wrinkles, it can support your skin and help you look and feel your best.
Are you ready to give niacinamide a try? If so, check out Hygieia’s encapsulated niacinamide cream. It’s paraben-free, cruelty-free, and made in the USA!
Order yours today.