Niacinamide, sometimes called nicotinamide, is the new rising star of the skincare industry thanks to its wide-ranging benefits, from improving rosacea and boosting collagen production to potentially treating skin cancer.
Although it has exploded in popularity recently, niacinamide isn’t a new ingredient with questionable benefits. It’s been around for decades, and a large body of research backs its effectiveness. Its growing popularity is due to social media, such as TikTok and Instagram, which provide skincare experts with a platform to educate the public about effective but lesser-known ingredients.
In this article, we’ll delve into what exactly niacinamide is, illuminate its many benefits, and share the best way to incorporate this rockstar ingredient into your skincare routine.
What Is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a vitamin B derivative, an essential nutrient that supports bodily functions such as turning food into energy and repairing DNA. Because it’s water soluble, the body can’t store niacinamide, and it must be replenished each day through your diet. Foods such as whole grains, fortified cereals, legumes, and seafood are all great sources of dietary niacinamide.
In the realm of skincare products, niacinamide is a gentle ingredient that’s appropriate for all skin types. This is excellent news for people who’ve had a bad reaction to vitamin C, because niacinamide offers the same brightening effect and improvement in hyperpigmentation without the redness, tingling, or burning vitamin C sometimes causes.
Niacinamide is absorbed by the skin easily, which makes it an excellent addition to nearly every type of skincare product, including serums, creams, masks, and cleansers. It works its magic at the cellular level by repairing cells damaged by free radicals and providing and on the skin by improving skin tone and providing some protection against sun damage.
What Is Niacinamide Good For? Benefits of Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient that provides a host of benefits for all skin types.
- 1. Improves skin barrier: Niacinamide plays a crucial role in helping the skin build keratin, a type of protein that keeps the skin firm and healthy. It also aids in the production of ceramides, which are lipids that form the skin’s protective barrier and help retain moisture. Together, keratin and ceramides protect and strengthen the skin barrier to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.
- 2. Regulates oil production and reduces breakouts: If you have oily skin, niacinamide will be your new favorite ingredient. It helps regulate sebum production to balance oil levels in the skin. This helps reduce the afternoon greasiness that plagues those with oily skin and can also help get rid of acne caused by an overproduction of sebum.
- 3. Minimizes pores and fine lines: Regular use of niacinamide can reduce pore size over time and improve the skin’s elasticity. These results work in tandem to refine skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines, giving you a smoother, more youthful look.
- 4. Reduces hyperpigmentation and brightens skin: Niacinamide can reduce melanin production, the pigment responsible for dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leading to a more even-toned complexion. It can also help give skin a bright, healthy glow.
- 5. Soothes redness and inflammation: Niacinamide’s anti-inflammatory properties help calm and soothe irritated skin, reducing redness and inflammation. This makes it a valuable ingredient for those with sensitive or inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea and acne.
- 6. Protects against oxidative stress: Free radicals from UV damage and environmental factors such as pollution can prematurely age your skin. Niacinamide protects against this by repairing DNA damage and limiting the effects of oxidative stress.
When to Use Niacinamide? Incorporating Niacinamide Into Your Routine
Niacinamide is gentle on the skin and considered safe for daily use. You can use it both in the morning and at night to get the full spectrum of benefits. Applied in the morning, niacinamide protects your skin from damaging environmental factors such as UV rays, pollution, and smoke. Used at night, it supports the skin’s natural repair process, helping to undo the damage of the day and strengthening the skin barrier.
Dos and Don’ts: Layering Niacinamide
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when exploring the world of skincare products. Not only are there countless ingredients to learn about, but it’s also important to use those ingredients in the right order to ensure you get the full benefits.
We’ve demystified the dos and don’ts of layering niacinamide in your skincare routine so you can incorporate this powerhouse ingredient into your routine confidently.
Dos:
- Layer products from thinnest to thickest. Since niacinamide is in so many different types of skincare products, choose the layering order based on the product’s consistency, from lightest to heaviest. This ensures that products with a thinner consistency can absorb into the skin easily without having to penetrate a barrier of thicker products first.
- Pair with any other skincare ingredients. Unlike some skincare ingredients, niacinamide plays well with others. You can pair it with many other ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, peptides, AHAs/BHAs, retinol, and vitamin C. It complements these ingredients and enhances their benefits.
- Always apply sunscreen in the morning. While niacinamide offers some protection, it’s not a substitute for SPF. It’s essential to protect your skin with SPF 30+ daily. Be sure to apply your niacinamide products before layering on the sunscreen.
Don’ts:
- Don’t rush the layering process. To see the best results, allow your skin to fully absorb the niacinamide product before you add the next layers of skincare products. Wait about one minute before applying the next product.
- Don’t skip the patch test. Niacinamide is widely regarded as a gentle ingredient that even those with sensitive skin can use, but it’s still best to err on the side of caution with any new skincare ingredient. Test the product on a small patch of skin first to ensure you don’t have any type of reaction.
- Don’t overuse niacinamide products. If using it daily is causing your skin to become dry or irritated, switch to every other day or look for a product with a lower concentration of niacinamide.
Get Glowing Skin With a Glo2Facial Customization
Niacinamide is the current darling of the skincare industry thanks to its wide range of benefits, from brightening skin tone to repairing damaged cells. You can get these benefits and many more by adding a Glo2Facial Detox customization to your regular skincare routine. Book your professional treatment with a Glo2Facial provider near you!