Middle school science classes have always told us one thing; lack of nutrients can be really hazardous for the body, not just internally, but externally as well. For glowing skin that is always flush with health, we need a healthy diet, and also need to be cautious about what we are putting on it too. One ingredient that comes to mind here is vitamin B-3, the deficiency of which can affect the brain, kidneys and even the skin. Niacinamide benefits for skin address this deficiency and makes sure the skin never has to suffer in the shortage of this vitamin.
Nicotinamide or niacinamide is actually a form of vitamin B-3 and has a lot to offer when it comes to maintaining the health of the skin, generally. It is a strong and effective ingredient which is beneficial in treating various sensitive skin conditions such as eczema and even severe acne. Then what’s stopping us from telling you more niacinamide benefits for skin? Let’s start!
- Difference between Niacinamide and Niacin
- Benefits of niacinamide for Skin
- FAQs on Niacinamide Benefits for Skin
Difference between Niacinamide and Niacin
We will cut to the chase. No, these two are not the same just because they sound similar. Agreed, both are forms of vitamin B-3, but niacin and niacinamide are fairly different from each other in terms of what they offer. However, if you take niacin supplements, chances are that your body can make niacinamide from it. But that goes for the tryptophan present in the body as well.
The major difference between niacin and niacinamide is, while the former is effective in maintaining the cholesterol levels in the body, the latter is more directed towards maintaining general skin health. Niacinamide is full of rich antioxidants and has direct benefits that ensure your skin is radiant from within. Niacin does not have such a direct effect. So if you are looking for an ingredient that specifically improves your skin texture, go for niacinamide and not niacin.
Benefits of niacinamide for Skin
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In short, a lot. As we have already mentioned, niacinamide has a lot of antioxidants which are literally a boon for the skin. This chemical works at a cellular level instead of working just on the surface like other products. This ensures that the effect is long-lasting. It brightens up the skin over time and makes the radiance stay. Let’s take a better look at all the niacinamide benefits for the skin.
1. Reduces Acne
Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory in nature. One of the major triggers that cause acne is inflammation, along with various internal and external factors such as stress, anxiety, pollution, dirt, etc. Niacinamide, with its soothing properties, ensures that the acne is reduced over time, not leaving any form of scarring or marks behind. Further, specialists say that this ingredient also reduces and balances sebum secretion. Thus, if you have oily skin, using niacinamide will be quite beneficial, as it will not only give the skin a more matte look, but also ensures the pores look smaller, and the skin, less oilier. This makes the skin look better and healthier over time.
2. Betters the Skin Tone
Balanced secretion of sebum, which niacinamide is efficient at doing, leads to lesser breakouts and acne. This eventually leads to a clearer complexion and even-toned skin. Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory in nature and works wonders on not only reducing acne, but also preventing them from occurring in the first place. It also puts a stop to any pits and redness that happens due to acne. Niacinamide gel is often used as an effective remedy to soothe inflamed acne-prone skin. Overall, this reduces any marks or discolourations and also the formation of any pores, leading to a better and even complexion.
3. Fights off Harmful Stressors
What are the free radicals that affect the skin? While there are many internal factors that affect the way our skin behaves, there are external factors as well. And these external factors are the free radicals that wreck our skin. These harmful stressors often come in the form of dirt, pollutants, UV rays, anxiety, insomnia, etc. All of these combined make the skin look weak, stressed and dull. This also leads to signs of premature ageing such as fine lines and crow’s feet. Niacinamide has the power to reverse this damage and even prevent it. It is rich in antioxidants that fight these harmful stressors and ensure that you are healed and healthy internally so that your skin glows from within.
4. Hydrates the Skin
This is one of the hero benefits that niacinamide has to offer for the skin. But it does not do that alone. It does that with other amazing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerine and is absolutely marvellous at doing so. Combined with these ingredients, niacinamide boosts the skin’s inherent ability to hydrate. It does that by supporting the production of natural fats present in the skin, known as ceramides. Niacinamide is also effective in preventing water loss from the skin. It thus has the dual benefit of accelerating hydration production in the skin and preventing it from drying out. The result? Healthy, supple and dewy skin which shines inside-out. Plus, your skin becomes less reactive or sensitive in nature as the prevention of loss of moisture improves the skin’s natural barrier, which now is able to protect it in a better manner against external aggressors.
5. Reduces Irritation
No one, we repeat, no one likes overly sensitive skin marred by irritation and inflammation. More often than not, these irritants are just everyday occurrences like pollution, dirt, etc. How do you escape from these in today’s lifestyle? The answer is that you can’t. So you pick up ingredients and products that help you do that. One such ingredient is niacinamide. This one has the ability to support the use of potentially irritating anti-agers that are known to increase or accelerate the turnover of skin cells. Strong exfoliants like glycolic acid can often cause irritation. Niacinamide soothes and limits any such irritation, making it sensitive skin’s best friend.
FAQs on Niacinamide Benefits for Skin
Q. How to use niacinamide for the skin?
A. When you go shopping looking for a product with niacinamide, ensure that the percentage lies between 2-10% and not more or less than that. The best way to use it is at the end of your skin care regimen, i.e. after you have put all your serums and moisturisers. This is because niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory or soothing agent. So if you are using any anti-ageing agent that is strong, this will balance out the inflammation and your skin will be able to retain the benefits of the products in a better manner.
Q. Can niacinamide be used with vitamin C?
A. Now this is one question that has been asked multiple times and is being researched thoroughly as well, given both these ingredients are essential and sought after. Many have claimed that these two cancel each other out and it is not advised to use these together. However, these are all myths. Even though it is recommended that niacinamide be used with hydrating ingredients, it can also be used with vitamin C. However, if you have sensitive skin or you have any doubt, consult with your dermatologist first before going for any new combination on your skin.
Written by Kadambari Srivastava on Mar 31, 2021
A finance professional by degree who jumped into the world of content creation 7 years ago, Kadambari is a pro at spinning words, whether it's beauty, business, entertainment, or anything else. Better separate your 'its' from 'it's' when she is around. When she isn't writing, she can be seen with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in the other, keeping up with her book challenge of the year.