What is Niacinamide: What It Can and Can't Do To Your Skin

Almost every year skincare companies introduce a new ingredient in the market that claims to give wonders to your skin. You have probably heard of niacinamide - a form of vitamin B3 that is gaining popularity with its benefits. Get to know this ingredient and see if it is worth a try.

Nicotinamide, mostly known and referred to as niacinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. Vitamins from this group are famous for their soothing and healing properties. They are commonly found in foods like meat, fish, eggs, green vegetables, and many supplements.  

What Is Niacinamide Good For?

Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with natural substances in your skin. Its versatility makes it a standout ingredient for almost any skincare product like the Lightmax Ampoule Mask from Mediheal. You can use multiple products that contain niacinamide without having to worry about skin irritation as this ingredient can be tolerated by all skin types including those who have sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.

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Improves skin tone and eliminates dark spots - Niacinamide has the capacity to block the enzyme that produces pigmentation or melanin that can result in a brighter and more even skin tone. It also improves skin clarity and can reduce hyperpigmentation.

Niacinamide can boost your skin’s hydration - If you are struggling with dry skin, applying topical products that contain niacinamide has proven to boost the hydrating ability to moisturize the skin's surface. Niacinamide works brilliantly with common moisturizer ingredients like glycerin, non-fragrant plant oils, cholesterol, sodium PCA, and sodium hyaluronate.

Can help with acne - Early research shows that taking tablets containing niacinamide and other ingredients for 8 weeks improves skin appearance in people with acne. Other research shows that applying a cream containing niacinamide improves the appearance of skin in people with acne. 

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What It Can't Do To Your Skin?

Keep in mind that niacinamide is not a miracle healing skincare ingredient that can solve all your skin problems. There are still many claims about what niacinamide can do to our skin but do not have sufficient evidence to support claims like helping aging skin, reducing skin redness caused by injury or irritation, and a lot more. And though niacinamide is safe for those with sensitive skin, it can still trigger allergies since high levels of niacinamide can increase serum histamine levels, which may cause an allergic reaction.

Even if you have not suffered from skin allergies in the past, redness and irritation may still occur if you are using too much with a high concentration of niacinamide for your skin type.

How To Use Niacinamide In Your Skincare Routine

According to Dr. Annie Gonzalez, when adding niacinamide to your skincare routine, start off by choosing the ones that contain 2-10%. Do the regular washing of the face then use your “active” anti-ager (like retinol  and finish up by applying niacinamide. You can either use a niacinamide serum or mix it with your favorite moisturizer and apply both at once. Smooth it over your face, neck, and around your eyes for calmer, glowing skin. Read The 10 Step Asian Beauty Skincare Explained on how to properly improve your skincare routine.