Niacinamide serum | what are the benefits?
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is an essential ingredient to incorporate into your beauty routine.
When included in serums, it offers a multitude of benefits for your skin's health and beauty. In this article, we will explore the benefits of niacinamide serum, highlighting its positive effects on the skin barrier, skin texture, sensitive skin, dark spots, different skin types, its anti-inflammatory action, and its effectiveness against enlarged pores.
Benefits of Niacinamide for the Skin
1. Strengthens the skin barrier
Niacinamide plays a crucial role in strengthening the skin barrier, the protective layer of the skin, which shields it from external aggressors like pollution and irritants.
By strengthening this barrier, niacinamide helps reduce moisture loss, promoting more supple, resilient skin that is less prone to irritation.
2. Refinement of skin texture
Niacinamide serums are known for their ability to refine skin texture. By regulating sebum production and reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, niacinamide helps achieve smoother, more even skin texture, resulting in a visibly more radiant complexion.
3. Soothing sensitive skin
For sensitive skin, niacinamide is a true ally. Thanks to its soothing and anti-irritant properties, it helps calm redness and inflammatory reactions, while strengthening the skin's tolerance to external factors.
4. Fading Dark Spots
Niacinamide serums are also effective for treating dark spots and hyperpigmentation. By slowing down melanin production, niacinamide helps to lighten existing spots and prevent new ones from appearing, resulting in brighter, more even-toned skin.
5. Suitable for Various Skin Types
Another remarkable quality of niacinamide is its ability to suit a wide range of skin types, including oily, dry, combination, and even acne-prone skin. Its high tolerance makes it a versatile ingredient that can be easily added to many skincare routines.
6. Anti-inflammatory Action
Niacinamide also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal choice for soothing skin prone to redness, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing, leading to calmer, more comfortable skin.
How to use niacinamide in my skincare routine?
Niacinamide can be used once or twice a day, morning and evening, after gentle cleansing during your regular skincare routine.
To maximize its benefits, apply niacinamide along with a moisturizer, or try a face mask containing niacinamide for skin recovery and relaxation.
How much niacinamide should I use?
Most skincare products contain 5% niacinamide or less, but concentrations can vary. Start slowly with a low concentration if you have sensitive skin. And speak to your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about its use or potential side effects.
Which ingredients pair well with niacinamide?
It is often beneficial to combine niacinamide with other skincare products to maximize its benefits.
To reduce skin inflammation and brighten the complexion, combining these two vitamins is ideal. Biologically, they work differently to limit the appearance of dark spots: Vitamin C inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme needed for melanin production, while niacinamide blocks the transfer of pigments into skin cells. Niacinamide also boosts lipid production and restores the skin's barrier function, while Vitamin C stimulates collagen production. This helps reduce water loss from the skin and keeps it hydrated longer, preventing the formation of dehydration lines.
- Ceramides
The combination of ceramides and niacinamide is an ideal solution for rebalancing sensitive skin prone to inflammation. Niacinamide reduces sensitivity, irritation, and improves redness, while ceramides strengthen the skin's natural barrier, making it more resilient against external aggressors.
What are the side effects of niacinamide?
Niacinamide is generally considered gentle and safe for your skin, but rarely, it can cause allergic reactions, itching, a slight burning sensation, and redness.
Sources
Cleveland clinic. HealthEssentials. Top 6 Benefits of Niacinamide.