Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 lauded for its versatile skin-enhancing properties. It is non-irritating and well-tolerated by all skin types, making it a popular ingredient in serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens.
This article lists the impressive benefits of introducing niacinamide into your skincare routine.
Niacinamide Benefits for Skin
Niacinamide is one of the most extensively studied skincare ingredients. Decades of high-quality, comprehensive research and evidence from users confirm the ingredient’s healing and anti-aging potential in skin care.
Here are the outstanding benefits of niacinamide in skin care:
1. Balances Sebum Production
Sebum is a protective, oily substance on our skin containing different fat molecules. Excess sebum secretion leads to skin issues such as oily skin, large pores, inflammation, and acne. Niacinamide can significantly reduce sebum production, improving the skin’s texture.
The Vibrant Skin Bar skin professionals recommend Osmosis’ Perfection Pigment Corrector, which contains niacinamide to normalize your skin’s sebum activity and brighten your complexion.
2. Helps with Acne
Niacinamide is effective in combating acne thanks to its sebum-balancing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps shrink and unclog pores and fights acne-causing bacteria. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin and is often used to manage teen acne. Patients with oily skin may benefit more from niacinamide than patients with non-oily skin.
AlphaRet Clearing Serum by Skinbetter Science is formulated with niacinamide, lactic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), and other pore-cleansing ingredients to help deliver a clearer and acne-free complexion.
3. Improves Epidermal Barrier Function
A healthy skin barrier is essential in maintaining a youthful complexion. Ceramides and other intercellular lipids are the main constituents of the stratum corneum, or the skin’s outermost layer. Niacinamide is shown to increase their levels, reducing transepidermal water loss and strengthening the skin barrier.
Replenish by Osmosis MD is an antioxidant powerhouse that helps repair sun damage, improve hydration levels, and build a stronger natural protective barrier.
4. Increases Hydration
By increasing the skin’s lipid profile and strengthening its natural barrier, niacinamide improves the skin’s moisture levels, making it softer and plumper. The vitamin is especially useful when combined with other hydrating ingredients. For example, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide advance each other’s effects, providing deep hydration.
Hydration Boosting Cream by Skinbetter Science contains niacinamide, ceramides, glycerin, squalane, and other soothing, hydration-boosting ingredients suitable for all skin types.
5. Helps with Eczema
Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by intense dryness, redness, and cracked skin. It often results from a weakened skin barrier. Niacinamide helps increase hydration, retain moisture, and strengthen the skin barrier, helping to relieve eczema symptoms.
Trio Luxe by Skinbetter is a rich moisture treatment infused with potent hydrating ingredients formulated for patients with severely dry skin. It helps reduce redness and improve skin texture.
Note: If you suffer from eczema, these holistic eczema treatments may help you resolve symptoms.
6. Improves Elasticity
An older study demonstrated that 12 weeks of using topical niacinamide significantly improved various skin health parameters, including elasticity. Collagen decline leads to a decrease in epidermal barrier function and sagging skin. Niacinamide may reverse the symptoms by increasing collagen production and stimulating epidermal proteins keratin, filaggrin, and involucrin, which give the skin structural support.
For improved skin elasticity and a rejuvenated appearance, try Alastin’s Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex Technology – a blend of active peptides and potent antioxidants (including niacinamide) that lifts and firms the skin.
7. Reduces Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a common premature aging sign manifesting as dark patches of skin, usually on the face. It is caused by increased melanin production as a reaction to UV or other skin damage. Niacinamide blocks melanin transfer from melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) to skin cells, reducing dark spots, melasma, and other pigmentation concerns.
Lytera® 2.0 by SkinMedica is an advanced formula with niacinamide that helps to reduce dark spots and blemishes, brighten the skin, and improve overall skin health.
8. Decreases Redness
Niacinamide is the gold standard for alleviating redness and blotchiness. Scientists speculate this is due to its beneficial effect on skin barrier function. The ingredient also improves extreme conditions like rosacea, an inflammatory skin condition manifesting as flushing, redness, and a burning sensation.
Brightalive Skin Brightener by ZO Skin Health is an innovative solution for a range of skin concerns, from dark spots to dry, sun-damaged, and inflamed skin. It is suitable for people with rosacea.
9. Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Studies show topical niacinamide promotes fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis in deeper skin layers, firming the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinal Advanced by Isdin is a night serum formulated with a powerful blend of retinaldehyde, bakuchiol, and niacinamide to help decrease wrinkles, restore firmness, and revitalize the skin.
10. Slows Down Skin Aging
Niacinamide’s potent antioxidant capacity is one of its most studied anti-aging effects. This form of vitamin B3 protects the skin from oxidative stress and repairs UV-caused DNA damage that leads to wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin. Niacinamide smooths the complexion and delays the appearance of aging signs.
Correct MD by Osmosis is a pharmaceutical-grade, age-defying serum incorporating the most advanced vitamin A technology and potent antioxidants (e.g., niacinamide) to enhance collagen synthesis, improve skin barrier function, protect against UV damage, and delay skin aging.
11. May Help Protect from Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers
Research indicates nicotinamide, an oral form of vitamin B3, may help patients with non-melanoma skin cancer. Though the effects of topical niacinamide for this condition are not fully known, niacinamide is commonly found in sunscreen products because of its role in strengthening the skin’s protective layer and improving our natural defense against UV rays.
Use UV Clear by EltaMD daily to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation. It is formulated with high-purity niacinamide to reduce dark spots and discoloration and deliver a smoother appearance.
How to Use Niacinamide for Skin?
Because of its versatility, niacinamide is a common ingredient in cosmetic products. It is often combined with other active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C, to maximize a product’s effectiveness. Topical vitamin B3 can also be found in single-ingredient serums, where its concentrations are higher. These products focus on alleviating specific concerns, such as pigmentation, redness, and oiliness.
Niacinamide serums and creams are typically used twice daily, in the morning and evening. If the product also contains retinol, it should be used at night because retinol increases the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Sunscreens with niacinamide are used as the last step of the morning routine.
Serums are often formulated with 5-10% niacinamide. Moisturizers and creams that include other ingredients typically contain 2-5% niacinamide. Skin experts recommend caution when using higher-concentration serums and creams. Start with gentler products to reduce the risk of flushing and irritation.
People with dry skin should look for a moisturizer with niacinamide and other soothing and hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and green tea. People with oily skin may benefit more from a higher-concentration niacinamide serum.
Can I Use Niacinamide Every Day?
Niacinamide is touted for its non-irritating, soothing properties suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Products with niacinamide are typically used every day, often twice daily.
If you experience rare side effects, such as flushing and stinging, try a lower-percentage product or discontinue use.
Conclusion
Niacinamide, or topical vitamin B3, is one of the most valuable ingredients in skin care. Scientific research confirms its numerous impressive benefits, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects.
Enrich your skincare routine with niacinamide to enhance your skin’s natural defenses against external and internal stressors and enjoy a more radiant, youthful complexion.
