If there’s one thing we beauty mavens know, then it has to be the basics of it all - lack of nutrients can be really hazardous for the body, not just internally, but externally as well. In context, lack of vits can make your locks look dry and drab, your fingernails brittle and even your skin, dull. And the girl’s that are all for luminous skin know that along with a healthy diet the right products are the MVPs too. And one ingredient (AKA the star sauce) that comes to mind when speaking of healthy skin 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!
Now you may be wondering what is this fancy N word? Well, 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 skin benefits for skin? Let’s start.
Niacinamide for Skin Benefits
In short: 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. We’ve listed ‘em all here.
Niacinamide Benefit #1: Reduces acne
When thinking about niacinamide skin benefits - one that we love is that it’s 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. And there to the rescue comes Niacinamide! With its soothing properties, the N-factor 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.
If you’re looking for a niacinamide loaded product that is magical, fall back on the Lakme Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin Brightening Face Serum With Niacinamide. It’s really the best in the biz, giving you that #wokeuplikethis look!
Niacinamide Benefit #2: Better 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 and if not a gel, you can also invest in a A1 sheet mask - we’re gaga over the Simple Niacinamide Sheet Mask. Giving you long lasting deep hydration, this self-care bestie that brings to you the niacinamide skin benefits is exactly what you need to get your hands on!
PS: Overall this reduces any marks or discolourations and also the formation of any pores, leading to a better and even complexion.
Niacinamide Benefit #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 aging such as fine lines and crow’s feet. Niacinamide skin benefits includes the power of reversing this damage and even preventing 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.
Niacinamide Benefit #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 marvelous at doing so. Combined with these ingredients, niacinamide boosts the skin’s inherent ability to hydrate. If you’re looking for a fab product to add to your routine and make the best out of niacinamide, don’t think much - get your hands on the Simple 10% Niacinamide Booster Face Serum. This magic bottle puts all your skin probs to rest by supporting the production of natural fats present in the skin, known as ceramides. The niacinamide present in this serum 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.
Niacinamide Benefit #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 about Niacinamide for Skin
All you got to know about niacinimide’s skin benefits!
Q1 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 moisturizers. 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. In this way you can make the most of niacinamide’s skin benefits!
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.
Q3 Are there any foods that are rich in niacinamide? If yes, which ones?
A3 If you’re looking to boost your complexion’s appearance, you can enjoy these foods; loaded with niacinamide! Red meat, fish, seeds, legumes, brown rice and bananas! Make space in your place for these foods and see visible results in no time.
Written by Anushka Shah on Feb 09, 2023