Whether you’re a skincare pro or just starting out, you’ve likely heard about niacinamide. Many influencers tout it as the ultimate ingredient for banishing blemishes and tackling acne, while others praise its age-defying prowess.
No matter where you look, niacinamide has become a skincare superstar, and for good reason: it’s incredibly versatile. Don’t believe us? In this article, we’ll dive into what niacinamide is used for on your face and explore 8 key benefits that will make this ingredient your new skincare essential.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know.
Understanding Niacinamide: What is it?
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 commonly found in various cosmetic products. Thanks to its impressive benefits, some call it a “miracle” ingredient, and it has steadily risen to become one of the most popular components in the skincare world.
This incredible ingredient is derived from sources like nuts, seeds, and green vegetables, making it both vegan and clean. Furthermore, it is hypoallergenic and safe for use during pregnancy.
Niacinamide has earned acclaim for its ability to help smooth wrinkles and brighten the complexion, making it a sought-after ingredient in many skincare formulations. It can also regenerate and strengthen the skin barrier, improving hydration levels, reducing redness, and even minimizing the appearance of pores—all while being gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types.
Top Benefits of Niacinamide for Your Skin
Now that you know what niacinamide is, it’s time to get to what everyone wants to know: the famous benefits of niacinamide that can transform your complexion. Here are 8 of our favorite benefits:
1. Reduces Sebum Production for Oily Skin
Niacinamide has proven to be beneficial in reducing sebum production (the oil our skin naturally produces), which is a key factor in oily skin. It works by inhibiting the activity of sebaceous glands, thus preventing excessive oil production. Additionally, it can reduce the size of these glands, further minimizing oil output.
It’s remarkable how such a simple addition to your skincare routine can make such a significant difference. Despite its effectiveness, it doesn’t completely eliminate sebum production but reduces it enough to alleviate some of the more bothersome symptoms associated with oily skin.
2. Diminishes Signs of Aging and Wrinkles
When it comes to slowing down the signs of aging, niacinamide is becoming a popular choice for those seeking more natural solutions.
Studies have shown that niacinamide can stimulate collagen production, which naturally decreases as we age. This helps the skin appear firmer and younger by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, while also preventing the formation of new signs of aging.
Similarly, niacinamide acts as an antioxidant, meaning it can protect our skin from environmental aggressors and free radicals, which are major contributors to premature aging.
3. Protects Against Sun Damage
Niacinamide enhances the skin’s ability to protect itself from UV-induced damage and improves its recovery rate after severe sun exposure. This is due to niacinamide’s ability to boost DNA repair enzymes in the skin, helping cells quickly mend any sun-related damage at a cellular level.
This doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen, however, niacinamide is an excellent ally to incorporate to help regenerate and shield your skin from harmful solar rays.
4. Reduces Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots
Niacinamide is an incredibly effective agent in treating hyperpigmentation. And what’s even better, it doesn’t just temporarily mask or hide discoloration; it genuinely improves the texture and appearance of the skin significantly.
How does this vitamin achieve this seemingly impossible feat? Well, niacinamide has been shown to inhibit the transfer of melanin (skin pigment) from its production site in the deeper layers of the skin to the surface, particularly in areas damaged by UV rays. This allows its therapeutic effects to lighten discolored patches by blocking the supply routes rather than just painting over the problem on the surface layer.
Similarly, niacinamide has the capacity to increase skin cell turnover, which stimulates the formation of new skin cells more quickly and efficiently, more rapidly expelling old cells. Since hyperpigmentation is caused by damage in the deeper layers of the skin, eliminating it requires replacing those old cells with new ones, and that’s where niacinamide comes into play.
What kind of spots does niacinamide remove?
From age spots and acne scars to hyperpigmentation and dark spots caused by sun exposure, niacinamide can handle it all. Why? Because this ingredient reduces these imperfections by accelerating the cell renewal process and contributing to the production of healthy oils to balance skin tone. Thanks to this, niacinamide is a great ingredient for skin brightening.
5. Treats Redness and Inflammation
This ingredient works by stimulating the metabolism of skin cells, making them healthier and more resistant to external factors. Furthermore, it soothes irritated skin and increases its ceramide levels, improving its ability to stay hydrated and defend against external damage, while reducing inflammation caused by environmental stressors like cold weather, sun exposure, and pollution.
This makes it a beneficial ingredient for those with sensitive skin prone to irritation or for those suffering from acne or dermatitis.
6. Fights Acne Breakouts
Niacinamide is a key ingredient in fighting acne. It helps regulate oil production, combating the hyperactivity of sebaceous glands, which are the primary cause of many breakouts. Similarly, niacinamide helps reduce inflammation in existing pimples, making them less red and less bothersome in appearance.
Its antibacterial properties also make it useful for treating congested pores that lead to breakouts.
7. Hydrates and Moisturizes Skin
Whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, this super ingredient helps your complexion stay hydrated and balanced. It helps maintain the skin’s natural hydration levels and strengthens its barrier, while promoting its elasticity.
Niacinamide not only hydrates, but also has anti-inflammatory effects that can help those suffering from dry patches reduce the itching and irritation they can cause.
8. Suitable for All Skin Types
Niacinamide can be suitable for all skin types, regardless of dryness or sensitivity levels. It can reduce breakouts and sebum production in oily, combination, or acne-prone skin. Additionally, it can soothe sensitive skin, hydrate dry skin, and reduce signs of aging in those with mature skin. There seems to be nothing this ingredient can’t do.
However, as with any skincare product, it’s wise to pay attention to how your skin responds once you incorporate it into your routine.
Top Niacinamide Products to Try
Niacinamide is a wonderful superstar ingredient that is becoming increasingly popular for its incredible benefits. So, if you don’t want to be left behind in this new trend and want to enjoy the benefits of niacinamide, here is a list of some products you should try:
If you suffer from acne or sensitive skin, this serum will be your new best friend. Formulated with 60% bee propolis and 2% niacinamide, this product reduces sebum production, soothes inflammation, and minimizes large pores for a refined and blemish-free complexion.
Serum: AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum
This potent little bottle is your one-stop solution for eliminating blemishes and brightening dull skin. With niacinamide to help reduce breakouts, and propolis and Centella Asiatica to help heal blemishes and redness, this serum is a powerful acne treatment.
Kit: Yuja Niacin 30 Days Miracle Brightening Starter Kit
Niacinamide and vitamin C are best friends, and in this kit, they come together to create the ultimate set for eliminating blemishes, getting rid of hyperpigmentation, and brightening the skin. While niacinamide inhibits melanin production and increases cell turnover to even out skin tone, the vitamin C from citrus fruits (like yuja and lemon) boosts collagen production in the skin, resulting in a radiant and even complexion.
Essence: Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
If you suffer from dull and lifeless skin, this essence will make your face look like a movie star. Galactomyces (a type of yeast) and hyaluronic acid in this product help increase hydration levels in the skin barrier. Finally, niacinamide balances the complexion to give it a healthy glow.
Sunscreen: Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++
Remember when we told you that niacinamide and sunscreen are best friends in a beauty routine? This product is proof! Beyond being a simple sunscreen, the Artless Glow Base from HEIMISH works as an anti-aging moisturizer and a primer at the same time. It brightens your skin, can reduce or prevent wrinkles, and is the perfect base for great makeup.
Tips for Incorporating Niacinamide into Your Skincare Routine
If you want to add niacinamide to your beauty routine, you should follow some tips first. Niacinamide has the capacity to be a very versatile ingredient that is easy to incorporate into anyone’s skincare, however, these tips will help you get the most out of it:
- Start by looking for products that contain niacinamide as an active ingredient, whether serums, creams, masks, or even toners. You can find it listed as niacinamide, niacinamide, niacin, vitamin B3, or nicotinamide.
- Niacinamide is not always the main ingredient in beauty products, so always check labels to determine if a product contains niacinamide.
- You can use it in your day or night routine. If you are going to use it during the day, look for products that, in addition to niacinamide, contain vitamin C or E. If you are going to use it at night, opt for products with hyaluronic acid or retinol.
- The benefits of niacinamide on the skin vary depending on the ingredients it is mixed with. It reduces irritation, calms redness, evens skin texture, increases collagen production, reduces wrinkles, helps with acne, etc. Therefore, it is important that you purchase products that directly address your skin concerns.
- Although niacinamide is safe for all skin types, it can still cause certain side effects in some people. Before including it in your routine, perform a patch test of the product on your wrist and check if you experience any adverse effects such as itching or irritation.
Where to Buy Niacinamide Skincare
Now that you know what niacinamide is used for, know all its benefits, and know how to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine, we’ve arrived at the best part: shopping.
If you want to add products with niacinamide to your skincare routine, you’ve come to the right place. At our store, Asian Beauty Essentials, you can find a curated collection with all the products we showed you in this blog + others that we also love.
Visit our store and start enjoying the benefits of this ingredient today.
Conclusion
Niacinamide is truly a powerhouse ingredient in the skincare world, offering a wide array of benefits for your face. From controlling oil and reducing acne to fighting signs of aging, diminishing hyperpigmentation, and hydrating the skin, its versatility is unmatched. Suitable for all skin types and easy to incorporate into any routine, niacinamide is a valuable addition to your skincare arsenal.
If you’re looking to improve your skin’s overall health and appearance, consider adding niacinamide to your daily regimen and experience the transformative benefits for yourself.
