Niacinamide is one ingredient you’re probably seeing everywhere right now. It’s a form of vitamin B-3, making it an essential nutrient that your skin will love. This multi-tasking ingredient will nourish your skin and help tackle issues like hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The effects of niacinamide is quickly becoming one of the most popular topics in the beauty industry.
As a so-called wonder ingredient, niacinamide has various benefits to offer almost every skin type. Whether your concerns are acne, anti-aging, or hyperpigmentation, niacinamide is here to help. Using niacinamide topically has been shown to help tackle some of the most common skin conditions. This active skin care ingredient has something to offer everyone, making it one of the most hyped skincare products on the market. Read on to find out more about the benefits of incorporating niacinamide into your skin care routine.
What is Niacinamide?
Although the names look-alike, niacinamide and ‘niacin’ are not the same things. They are two separate forms of vitamin B-3 and shouldn’t be confused with each other. Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B-3 and works by visibly brightening your skin. Whether it’s tackling acne breakouts or improving hyperpigmentation, niacinamide is one of the most talked-about active ingredients.
On a basic level, niacinamide works by helping your skin build the protein it needs to stay youthful, healthy, and hydrated. Niacinamide can help your skin stay protected from oxidative stress and environmental damage, like premature aging caused by UV rays.
What are the main benefits of using niacinamide?
Research is still ongoing to uncover the full extent of the benefits of using niacinamide. As it’s one of the most popular active ingredients, it’s no surprise that it comes with plenty of benefits for your skin. We’ve rounded up a few of the most cited benefits of this active ingredient – from brightening your skin to helping to treat the symptoms of eczema. Niacinamide is one ingredient that everyone can use – whether you’re 15 or 50.
Inhibits the production of excess oil
Niacinamide works to improve the moisture retention in your skin, which has the side effect of regulating your oil production. If excess sebum is a concern, niacinamide can help you get your oily skin under control and reduce the visible appearance of oil on your skin. As a bonus, niacinamide diminishes the appearance of pores by keeping your skin hydrated and smooth. 
Reduces inflammation
You can use niacinamide to tackle inflammation in your skin, making it an ideal treatment for reducing the redness caused by acne and eczema. If you have hyperpigmentation and want to even your skin tone and unlock its sinner radiance, niacinamide is a must-have. Research has shown that niacinamide with a 5% concentration can be used to lighten the appearance of dark spots after four weeks. The study suggests this process is a side effect of the improvement in collagen production triggered by niacinamide.
Strengthens your skin’s natural protective barrier
Niacinamide works by boosting your skin’s ceramide barrier, helping to seal in moisture to keep your skin hydrated. If you have eczema or are concerned about anti-aging, niacinamide is a must-have ingredient for your skincare routine. Niacinamide rejuvenates your skin and restores its natural luster by boosting your ceramide production. When your skin is lacking in ceramide, it can become dry and sensitive, leading to a myriad of issues.
Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Although it’s not always advertised as one, niacinamide is one of the most powerful active ingredients for anti-aging. It helps build the keratin (a protein) in your skin, which keeps it firm to prevent sagging and premature aging. When your skin is firm, it diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that exist in your skin. If your skin is sun-damaged, niacinamide could be the secret to reversing the damage.
Brightens your complexion
You can use niacinamide to unlock your skin’s radiance and brighten your complexion by using it to treat acne. Niacinamide can improve the texture of your skin and give you a more even skin tone.
Protects against oxidative stress and UV damage
Oxidative stress occurs from environmental factors, such as UV rays and pollution. As your skin’s natural barrier breaks down, this oxidative stress can accelerate the aging process and cause havoc to your skin.
Niacinamide works by improving cellular turnover and supporting your skin’s natural protective barrier to prevent oxidative stress.
Boosts your skin’s hydration when paired with glycerin
Niacinamide is a go-to choice for dry skin as it can improve your skin’s natural moisture levels and lock in your hydration. If you want to get the most out of your niacinamide, you can pair it with glycerin for extra hydration.
Can you use topical niacinamide with other active ingredients?
Although niacinamide appears in several skin care products, it’s most popularly incorporated into serums. You’ll usually use niacinamide in its serum form after cleansing and toning your skin, but before moisturizing. If you want an extra boost of niacinamide, you can incorporate it into your routine with a face mask or moisturizer.
Like all active ingredients, you want to consider the other products you’re using when you include niacinamide in your skincare routine. You can maximize the results of your niacinamide use by combining it with other active ingredients. If you’re looking to treat acne, you can add zinc as an extra ingredient.
One of the most popular combinations of active ingredients is hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which can improve your skin’s absorption of the two ingredients. You should look out for products that incorporate glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to use alongside your niacinamide for maximum results.
Luckily, it is safe to use niacinamide with retinol too. In fact, there are several lab studies that prove that there are benefits of mixing them together. Retinol may cause some irritation to people with sensitive skin, and niacinamide can make up for this problem by increasing the hydration level in skin.
What skin types should be using niacinamide?
Although niacinamide is often considered an active ingredient for dry skin, anyone can use it. The wide range of benefits that the ingredient brings makes it a versatile serum.
If you have sensitive skin, you always want to start with a lesser concentration of active ingredients. While most niacinamide comes in less than 5% concentration, you can start with a 2% concentration instead. Niacinamide is considered safe to be used on your face, but you should always look for potential side effects when using active ingredients.
When you start using niacinamide, you can expect to see visible results between four to eight weeks after you add it to your routine. If you’re thinking of kickstarting your skincare routine or want to give it a refresh, niacinamide is one ingredient that you shouldn’t overlook. Thanks to its versatility and hydrating properties, niacinamide is a powerful skincare ingredient that is in a league of its own.