If you are passionate about skincare, actually scrap that… if you have even a slight interest in skin then chances are you’ve heard about niacinamide. The beauty (and complexity) of keeping up to date with the latest and greatest on the skincare scene is that it is ever-evolving. This makes it easy to get lost in the myriad of ingredients that spring onto the scene promising transformative results. So, how do you separate the men from the boys and, to put it simply, which ingredients can you simply not do without in your repertoire?
So what sets niacinamide apart from the other ingredients clamouring for our attention? The secret to niacinamide’s success is that it is an all-round crowd pleaser. This wonder vitamin is suitable and will offer benefits to just about any and every skin type, and skin concern, and the benefits are easily reaped. What’s more, you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand how it works or how to use it correctly. In fact, you probably only need to read this article.
So, stick around while we deep dive into one of the Caci team’s favourite skincare ingredients including- what it does, what it’s for, how to use it, and which products to buy.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is renowned for its multitude of skin benefits. While it’s found in various foods and supplements, it’s the skincare products containing niacinamide that have truly captured our attention. What makes this vitamin so remarkable? For starters, it boasts impressive soothing and healing properties, making it a go-to for anyone looking to improve their skin's overall health and appearance.
What are the main benefits of niacinamide?
But what exactly makes niacinamide so special? Well, this vitamin is honestly a bit of a show-off when it comes to all the benefits it can offer your skin. From boosting hydration to treating and reducing hyper-pigmentation, it’s actually harder to think of things it can’t do.
At its core, niacinamide works as an antioxidant that can help fight harmful compounds such as sun damage and free radicals. It can also help to boost the skin's natural production of ceramides, which help to make the skin feel nourished and keep your skin barrier protected. Sound too good to be true? In this case, niacinamide earns its hype and reputation. Extensive research has shown that niacinamide does indeed do what it claims to do, namely; protect skin from environmental damage, promote the production of collagen, and hyaluronic acid.
And as if it couldn’t get any better, that’s not even the exhaustive list. Let's delve deeper into the science and advantages of this powerhouse ingredient.
Skin barrier function and dryness
Usually when people talk about the benefits of using Niacinamide in your routine, strengthening your skin barrier function tends to be high on that list. This feature makes Niacinamide particularly beneficial for anyone prone to dry dehydrated skin and facial redness. Improving skin barrier function not only helps to reduce water loss, it also helps to protect your skin from aggravating external stressors.
Rosacea and sensitivity
In addition to strengthening the skin barrier, Niacinamide has a number of anti-inflammatory properties making it a fab ingredient for those suffering from skin sensitivity issues, rosacea or general facial redness and irritation. By improving the strength of the skin barrier function, Niacinamide helps to ward off some potential environmental triggers that can exacerbate skin redness and irritation. The anti-inflammatory properties then help calm and soothe the skin.
Acne and congestion
Niacinamide can also be a great skincare incorporation for oily or combination skin who suffer from breakouts or congestion. This is because it works to reduce sebum and oil production, all of which can contribute to pimples, and increase the appearance and size of pores on the skin. It’s also known to include antibacterial properties which are known to treat mild cases of acne, as well as calm and reduce breakouts.
While it may not be as much of a targeted treatment as, say, salicylic acid or retinoids, the inclusion of niacinamide in your routine may help with the over-production of oil which prevents breakouts from occurring in the first place. This makes it a great alternative for dehydrated oily skin or those with sensitive skin who can’t handle the more ‘intense’ ingredients. Clinical studies have shown that as little as 2% Niacinamide can reduce sebum levels in 4 weeks.
Ageing and wrinkles
Declining levels of ceramides and healthy collagen as we age give rise to increasingly dry, dehydrated skin and the appearance of lines and wrinkles. As we've discussed earlier, Niacinamide supports the production of ceramides that help prevent skin dryness and leave skin feeling soft and smooth. But that's not all it does to support ageing skin - it also boosts healthy collagen levels! Niacinamide supports both the production of new collagen and the breakdown of healthy collagen. By improving your skin's collagen levels, Niacinamide can help make skin appear plump, youthful and healthy. Clinical studies show that treatments with 4-5% Niacinamide could reduce the appearance of wrinkles and increase skin elasticity after 12 weeks.
Hyperpigmentation and pigmentation
Niacinamide is well known as a skin-brightening ingredient. Niacinamide works by inhibiting the transfer of melanin (pigment) to visible cells in the skin. This results in a lightening effect that helps even skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots.
Does niacinamide have any side effects?
While all skin is different, generally niacinamide is a very well-tolerated active ingredient for most skin care types. In extremely rare instances, it can cause mild redness or irritation.
For most people, however, you can reap the rewards of this skin hero. And since it’s more gentle than other skincare actives, it’s regarded as safe to use during pregnancy also.
How do I incorporate niacinamide into my skincare routine?
Given that we all have unique skin, however rare the side effects may be, we always recommend starting with a small amount and then increasing over time to avoid any adverse reactions.
Once you’ve established this, you should ideally be using it twice a day, both morning and night. For the best results, we recommend using it in a water-based serum or moisturiser as these provide maximum absorption into the skin, unlike a cleanser which will be washed off.
Which products should I buy?
You definitely want to look for a product that has 5% niacinamide for optimal results, as this is the ideal amount for topical B3, any less and you won’t reap the benefits, and any more can lead to irritation and redness.
Skinsmiths PRO Strength Niacinamide
The Skinsmiths PRO Strength Niacinamide 30ml ticks all the niacinamide-related boxes you could possibly think of. It contains 5% of the bioactive form of B3 as well as including a number of other natural ingredients such as Tasman pepper and their signature SauvigNZ, a powerful antioxidant complex that helps to promote collagen and reduce redness. It’s basically the holy grail of all the niacinamide products.
Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum
Another fantastic all-rounder product with niacinamide incorporated is the Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum. This is a cult favourite for a reason. This innovative serum combats the visible signs of stress-induced aging, delivering a comprehensive solution for smoother, more vibrant skin. Niacinamide takes centre stage in refining your skin's texture and boosting its resilience.
Skinsmiths Ultimate Renewal Serum
For a slightly less potent (2%) niacinamide product, the Skinsmiths Ultimate Renewal Serum is a revolutionary elixir inspired by clinic treatments to deliver unparalleled hydration and rejuvenation. More than just a hyaluronic serum, this formula combines potent ingredients to transform your skin from within. Harnessing the bioactive power of Vitamin B3, niacinamide supports a healthy skin barrier function, resulting in a smoother more refined texture. Its ability to inhibit melanosome transfer also helps lighten dark spots and even out skin tone, revealing a more radiant complexion over time.
The long and short of niacinamide
Niacinamide is truly a remarkable ingredient that offers a multitude of benefits for the skin. From soothing and healing properties to anti-aging effects, antioxidant protection, acne and congestion treatment, and hyperpigmentation reduction. Its versatility, compatibility with other ingredients, minimal side effects, and suitability for daily use make it a valuable addition to any skincare routine. Whether you're looking to improve your skin's overall health, strengthen its barrier, or simply achieve a more radiant complexion, you can rest assured that niacinamide is an ingredient that delivers on its promises.
They say you reap what you sow, well niacinamide is an almost sure-fire way to improve the quality and health of your skin. It’s hard to argue with that.
