Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.

And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.

In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.

If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

How does niacinamide work?

When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.

In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).

Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.

1. Minimizes large pores and regulates oil production

• Balances sebaceous gland activity, leading to a clearer and less greasy complexion. This can help minimize breakouts caused by excess oil buildup.
• Prevents pore clogging that leads to stretched out pores.
• Improves the "orange peel" texture of skin.

2. Helps with acne

• The anti-inflammatory and oil-regulating properties help improve acne.
• 4% niacinamide was shown to perform slightly better than 1% clindamycin gel in one study.
• it has shown to be an effective acne treatment when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc.

3. Brightens skin and fades hyperpigmentation

• Due to sun exposure, inflammation, or injury, our skin can start to transfer melanosomes unevenly. This leads to dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. Niacinamide suppresses melanosome transfer and prevents excess skin pigment from reaching the surface of skin. This helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
• Because niacinamide has a different pathway from other skin brighteners, it is a more gentle brightening ingredient.
• Niacinamide works even better when combined with ingredients like vitamin C, tranexamic acid, and licorice extract.

4. Soothes redness and sensitivity

• Anti-inflammatory properties help soothe irritated skin.
• Can be beneficial for rosacea and atopic dermatitis.

5. Strengthens skin barrier and improves hydration

• Strengthens skin’s moisture barrier by increasing ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol.
• Helps skin resist moisture loss to reduce dryness.
• Increases production of essential lipids that form a healthy barrier.
• Reduces transepidermal water loss and helps maintain youthful, resilient skin.
• Works well with other moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

6. Reduces Signs of Aging

• Stimulates collagen production and helps prevent its breakdown.
• Improves skin elasticity and to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Encourages faster epidermal cell turnover (which slows with age).

7. Photoprotective and wound healing

• Offers some protection against environmental stressors.
• Assists in wound healing and has antibacterial properties.

Where does niacinamide come from?

Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.

The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.