Ageing — open pores — dehydrated skin — hyperpigmentation and whatnot.
Every skin type undergoes various skin concerns. There are thousands of topical formulations with many ingredients that claim to tackle these skin concerns. But finding the right active ingredient that works for your skin type and concern is challenging.
Healthy skin is everyone’s dream and Niacinamide is one such wonder ingredient for keeping skin clear, spotless, and healthy.
But how much do we know about our favourite cosmeceutical ingredient?
Niacinamide is known as vitamin B3, it offers various benefits to the skin. Not only does this ingredient help reduce inflammation, but it can clear acne while hydrating your skin. Research reveals that it has potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.
It holds the ability to -
- improve epidermal barrier function,
- decrease skin hyperpigmentation, redness, and blotchiness, and
- improve skin elasticity.
No wonder it is called a wonder ingredient.
Know how to update your skincare regimen with Niacinamide-based topical products for improved skin texture and nourished skin.
Top ways to add Niacinamide to your skincare routine
1. Serum
The few concentrated drops are worth it.
Serums are highly concentrated formulations that are effective in treating particular skin concerns. For someone who wants to improve their skin appearance, and texture, and reduce pores, a proactive Niacinamide serum will do.
Niacinamide serum deeply penetrates the skin and works its magic from inside. Not only can it make your face more supple and give you a youthful glow, but it also reduces acne. It helps reduce discolorations.
As a result, it leaves your skin even toned. If you're suffering from dry skin, Niacinamide can be the help you need. It sits on the skin repairing the skin barrier and preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Thus minimising the chances of dryness, tightness, and flakiness on your skin.
READ - Is Niacinamide good for oily skin?
2. Skin Creams
You can get a skin cream that contains Niacinamide as one of its active ingredients. Skin creams work as day treatments.
They work effectively for revealing a lightened skin tone. If paired with alpha arbutin, Niacinamide works efficiently in boosting skin radiance and treating melasma. Its daily and regular application can give your skin an unmatched radiance and glow.
3. Targeted treatments
If you have a spot disturbing you, try a spot-specific treatment. This is usually designed for morning and night use on clean skin before applying your moisturiser, night cream, or sunscreen. It usually takes a month or so to see the brightening results.
But, opt for treatments with a 3-5% concentration of Niacinamide. Concentration above 5% can cause adverse effects on your skin and hence is not tolerable.
Anything over 5% could spike your histamine levels and cause an allergic reaction. Remember that higher concentration than recommended does not signify quick or extra results, but breakouts and side effects.
What works well with Niacinamide?
Niacinamide works well with other ingredients. However, you should combine ingredients beneficial to your skin type only.
Here are some of the best combinations:
1. Niacinamide + Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP), a vitamin C derivative
Since Niacinamide is sebostatic in nature i.e., it controls sebum production. Hence it regulates sebaceous glands as such, they will only produce the right amount of oil needed by the skin.
Research says that regulating oil production helps tame and prevent skin conditions like acne.
For acne-prone skin types, the combination of Niacinamide and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is proven to be a great combination.
Both ingredients complement each other nicely and help in amplifying one another's benefits. Niacinamide helps in improving the barrier function to keep skin hydrated and protected.
Meanwhile, vitamin C perks up skin radiance and firmness by encouraging antioxidant content and collagen production.
2. Niacinamide + Peptides
When used together, Niacinamide and Copper peptides are a wonderful combination to get rid of acne scars and Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Copper peptides help to boost antioxidants, collagen, and elastin proteins in the skin to repair acne-damaged skin and promote smooth skin texture.
Simultaneously, Niacinamide prevents excess melanin production by inhibiting the Tyrosinase enzymes.
3. Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid
This is a duo worth considering for maintaining well-hydrated skin since they are water-based treatments. They have multiple benefits like calming inflammation, alleviating dryness, repairing lipid barriers, and hence, giving healthy- skin.
Niacinamide helps boost collagen production while hyaluronic acid and improves the elasticity of the skin making a wonderful pair to combat early signs of ageing.
How to layer Niacinamide?
Well, your application will depend on the Niacinamide product you are using. Applying a Niacinamide toner is different from applying a serum or moisturiser with this ingredient.
For the best results, follow the instructions on the product.
It's always advisable to apply leave-on Niacinamide products like toners, serums, moisturisers, etc., twice a day. Bear in mind that you can have more than one Niacinamide product in your skincare routine.
After cleaning and drying your skin, you can apply a Niacinamide toner, then a Niacinamide serum, or a face cream.
What we emphasise most is the order of layering of the product. It should be:
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Serum
- Face Cream
- Sunscreen
Remember to start with the lightest to the heaviest. Note that heavy products can penetrate over thin ones easily.
Final thoughts
Niacinamide has multi-faceted benefits for the skin. From tackling dehydrated skin to early signs of ageing, its topical application leaves your skin rejuvenated, refreshed, and nourished.
Make sure you know your skin type before you invest in ingredients that work amazing on your skin concerns and become a trend.
Pair Niacinamide wisely with other actives to avoid any allergic reactions.
