Benefits of Niacinamide for Acne-Prone Skin

In the world of cosmetics, vitamin C and vitamin E frequently receive a lot of attention. Niacinamide is also a participant in that game. Niacinamide, a type of vitamin B improves the appearance of your skin and your acne. Learn more about this vitamin that might be good for your skin by reading on.

What is Niacinamide?

For your body's fats and sugars to operate effectively as well as to maintain healthy cells, niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is necessary. It is related to niacin and is a part of the vitamin B complex, often known as vitamin B3. Niacinamide has a broad list of possible advantages for your skin, which is why it is included in skincare products.

Foods including eggs, milk, beans, seafood, and green vegetables can provide you with niacinamide. Niacinamide is a vitamin that can be obtained through topical treatments in addition to food sources because it is present in several over-the-counter skin care products.

Benefits of Niacinamide

Niacinamide appears in numerous skincare products, like serum for acne prone skin, as we previously noted, but what does it actually do? It helps to improve the overall appearance of your skin and functions as a kind of Swiss Army knife for issues including fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and redness.

1. Prevents and treats acne: One of the ways that niacinamide helps to prevent and treat acne is by regulating sebum production in the skin. Sebum is an oily substance that is produced by the sebaceous glands and can contribute to the development of acne when it becomes overproduced. Niacinamide has been found to regulate sebum production, which can help to prevent the formation of acne.
2. Moisturises the skin: Our epidermis, or skin barrier, has a number of purposes, including protecting us from sources of infection (such viruses and bacteria) and halting water loss to keep us hydrated. Niacinamide topical application supports the maintenance of this process and keeps our skin hydrated.
3. Prevents sun damage: Our skin is damaged by environmental hazards like ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pollution, which releases harmful substances called reactive oxygen species (ROS). Topical niacinamide provides additional protection and aids in preventing ROS generation even though your skin already has some antioxidant defences against sun damage.
4. Treats hyperpigmentation: Hyperpigmentation is the term for the black, brown, or grey spots that can appear on your skin as a result of ageing, photodamage, and other skin problems. Niacinamide helps lighten these dark spots.
5. Minimises wrinkles: Signs of ageing and sun damage include fine lines and wrinkles. They often originate from inflammation and oxidative damage. Because of niscinsmide’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this type of vitamin B3 has anti-aging effects when applied topically. These properties help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen creation and skin elasticity are both enhanced by niacinamide, further reducing ageing symptoms. As a result, you might encounter niacinamide serums or cosmetic products that also contain retinol or vitamin C, as all of these substances have been linked together as anti-ageing ingredients.

How to Use Niacinamide

Of course, you can get this type of vitamin B3 through your diet, but topical niacinamide creams could also be useful additions to your beauty regimen. Look for topical treatments with concentrations between 2% and 5%, as studies have demonstrated benefits for skin appearance within these percentages. Depending on your skin type, you may not need a very high concentration.

Niacinamide products come in a variety of forms, including face washes, moisturisers, eye treatments, toners, serums, and even creams. In some formulations, the concentration of this B vitamin might reach 10%.

It's critical that you use niacinamide-containing products in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions because it may irritate certain people. It can be worthwhile to consult a dermatologist about how to include these items into your routine if you have particularly sensitive skin.

How to Decide on the Best Product

Numerous skincare items, such as sunscreen, moisturisers, night creams, and serums, contain niacinamide. It is advised to stick to products that are left on the skin (and are usually absorbed), such as moisturisers or serums, as those will deliver the most noticeable skin differences.

A niacinamide product's additional active components should also be examined. Niacinamide is frequently combined with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Dead skin cells are removed by AHAs, enabling niacinamide to penetrate the skin more efficiently.

Hyaluronic acid (both substances reduce dryness) and salicylic acid are other excellent partners for niacinamide. Niacinamide may control skin oil production and lessen inflammation, while salicylic acid cures acne and keeps pores free.

Side Effects

Most clinical research demonstrates the safety of niacinamide, however, topical versions may have the potential for side effects. Moderate burning, stinging, redness, and irritation are among the mild adverse effects of topical niacinamide that are most frequently reported.

When you first start utilising products containing niacinamide, you could experience some redness and discomfort. Some of this may be common and go away with use, but persistent irritation could indicate that you're using too much or a product with too much niacinamide for your skin type. We recommend you do a patch test before introducing any niacinamide product into your skincare regime.

If you experience irritation, consult your dermatologist or healthcare provider. They may be able to explain what constitutes a typical transition period with your product and when you might need to think about an alternative ingredient.