Time to learn what it is, what it can do for you, and which niacinamide products are the best in the market
Does your skin lack a healthy glow? Are you constantly plagued by skin concerns like breakouts, inflammation, and pigmentation? If so, it’s time to add a niacinamide-based product to your skincare routine.
The ingredient's popularity is soaring as more and more beauty brands embrace its benefits. If you are not quite sure what it is or what it does, you are not alone. Before adding niacinamide into your skincare routine, here's what you need to know about its benefits—and how to use it.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. This vitamin group is particularly famous for its calming and healing benefits. This is an essential water-soluble vitamin that is not naturally produced by the body. We must ingest it via supplements or apply it topically to reap its benefits.
What can niacinamide do for your skin?
It is often touted as a holy grail solution for many common skin problems.
- Supports skin barrier
If you want to strengthen your skin barrier, you must try niacinamide. It stimulates the skin's natural production of ceramides, which are lipids that aid in the formation of the skin barrier and retention of moisture.
- Limits free radical damage
Oxidative stress can lead to multiple skin issues like premature ageing, hyperpigmentation, and inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. Niacinamide is a powerful antioxidant that limits skin damage caused by free radicals.
- Treats acne
Niacinamide's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a promising treatment for inflammatory skin diseases like acne and eczema. People with sensitive or irritated skin love this ingredient as it nourishes and soothes the skin. It can also help regulate the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands, thus preventing them from going into overdrive and causing acne.
- Boosts hydration
If you are dealing with dull and dehydrated skin, niacinamide is worth trying as it is a powerhouse ingredient for skin brightening and hydration. It minimises transepidermal water loss and enhances the ability of other moisturising ingredients to do the same.
- Protects against sun damage
Niacinamide has the ability to regenerate healthy skin cells while also shielding them from the damage caused by UV exposure.
- Treats hyperpigmentation
Niacinamide is a well-proven treatment for a large variety of pigmentation issues, including dark spots, slight discolouration, brown patches, and melasma. It helps with hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the transfer of melanocytes, the cells that cause pigmentation.
- Minimises the signs of ageing
Even though it is not commonly advertised as an anti-ageing solution, niacinamide can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It does so by stimulating the production of dermal collagen and epidermal proteins. It also prevents the effects of natural ageing by directly promoting skin cell reproduction, which decreases with age. After regular application, you will notice a significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, and your skin will look healthier and younger.
How to use niacinamide?
It absorbs quickly into your skin. To get the most out of niacinamide, apply it topically in the form of a cream, lotion, or serum—anything that will stay in contact with your skin for a long period of time. You can add niacinamide to your am or pm routine based on the formulation you are using.
Are you wondering how to pair your niacinamide? Skincare ingredients like peptides, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid help build and strengthen your skin barrier. So combining niacinamide with these actives will only enhance its effects.
If you want to incorporate this potent ingredient into your skincare routine, you must try Dr G Hydra Cool Plumping Serum.