Niacinamide Benefits on Skin: Your daily skincare regimen
Niacinamide’s benefits for the skin have already been making rounds. Where people are consuming it in supplements, it is equally present in our everyday skincare products. It has been an excellent ingredient in serums, moisturizers, and cleansers. Despite what potential it holds, its rejuvenating capacities stand no bounds.
It stands no doubt that niacinamide (aka Vitamin B3) is very beneficial for the skin. But to what extent is it yet to explore? Let's begin with the benefits of niacinamide for the skin and its other health-promising potential.
What is Niacinamide?
First, Niacinamide, aka nicotinamide, is the water-soluble form of Vitamin B3. This physiologically active biomolecule is used topically as an active ingredient of dermal products and ingested orally as capsules such as NMN4500.
The food-rich sources of niacinamide include:
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Poultry
- Red meat
- Bananas
This active biomolecule holds immensely beneficial anti-oxidant potential. This might be one reason why niacinamide treats acne or skin burns. Where the body uses it for DNA repair, it is also used to produce cellular energy.
Recently, it came up with age-rewinding capabilities. It also provides a natural barrier to the skin, thus preventing any U.V. light damage.
Benefits of Niacinamide on Skin
Researchers have concluded that Niacinamide holds many skin-protecting potentials that are still undiscovered. It is considered a multi-purpose skin product. It promotes keratin production in dermal cells, making the skin look more youthful. It also rejuvenates skin cells, making them more intact, brighter, and fresh.
Those regularly consuming niacinamide-rich foods or nmn supplements often exhibit clearer, brighter skin.
Let’s enlist the most prominent effects of niacinamide on the skin:
Increases Skin Hydration
The niacinamide supplement adds the moisture the skin cells need to stay hydrated and intact. Mainly for dry and patchy skin, niacinamide serums work great.
In addition to this, Niacinamide also improves the skin lipid barrier by increasing ceramide production within the cells. By adding to this barrier, dermal cells become more resilient towards dehydration and retain their intactness.
Niacinamide also regulates sebum production by dermal cells.
Reduces redness and blotchiness
Niacinamide holds anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces redness caused by skin cell inflammation which is considered the most common cause. People with hypersensitive and dry skin often apply niacinamide serums to their skin to treat skin irritation and redness. The niacinamide serum provides the skin with the necessary oil the skin needs to grease.
One most prominent effect of niacinamide supplementation is that it improves blood circulation to the dry and affected skin regions, making it less dry and red.
Minimize Pore size
The enlarged pore size mostly happens due to the large sebum production. Here niacinamide makes its way. It effectively regulates sebum production, thus preventing enlarged pores leading to chronic skin acne.
In addition, niacinamide enhances dermal cell turnover, thus replacing the dead ones. This way, the skin gets rid of clogged pores. The anti-inflammatory effect further adds to nurturing of skin cells.
Protects skin against cancer
Niacinamide enhances the release of enzymes for DNA repair in case of skin cancer caused by U.V. damage. It also flourishes the immune response within the skin, which aids in recognizing and self-destructing dermal tumor cells. It is further regulated by preventing immunosuppression induced by U.V. radiation.
Some research has suggested that niacinamide might inhibit the growth of melanoma cells, one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer.
Treats Hyperpigmentation
The hyperpigmentation-controlling effect of niacinamide inhibits melanosomal transfer to the keratinocytes. It also enhances skin cell turnover, thus replacing the cells with more melanin ( that makes skin look darker) with the new cells.
Niacinamide is an active ingredient of sunscreens that also treats hyperpigmentation induced due to U.V. light damage.
Treats fine lines and wrinkles
If you are finding your skin aging, then niacinamide is your thing. Niacinamide has been an active ingredient in age-rewinding creams and serums. So, What makes Niacinamide good for anti-aging?
You might have heard of collagen. Yes, it is the building block of skin, not just bones. Niacinamide increases collagen production within the skin cells. As the production of collagen increases, your skin ultimately regains its elasticity and intactness. The same you have had when you were young.
In addition to this, the age-rewinding property is further aided due to the following effects of niacinamide:
- Cell renewal
- Reduces inflammation
- Cellular DNA repair
- Anti-oxidant
How to use Niacinamide in your skin routine?
There are multiple ways to nurture your skin with niacinamide in your daily routine. 
Cleanse
Cleansers do wonders in a daily skincare routine. It helps to remove dirt and excessive oil from the skin, thus preventing clogging of pores. You can get on the cleansers with niacinamide as an active ingredient. Niacinamide Cleansers provide the skin with the essential prep to stay young, fresh, and bright.
Moisturize
Niacinamide moisturizers add the necessary hydration skin needs to look hydrated and moisturized all day long. You can also pair your niacinamide serum with daily moisturizers if your moisturizer lacks it. Dermatologists believe that niacinamide products can pair with skin care products since they get along well.
Toner
To get naturally mattified skin, you can tone your skin before makeup with your Niacinamide toner or serum. Its anti-inflammatory potential further calms down skin irritations and redness.
Notes:
It's essential to patch-test any new skincare product to ensure it doesn't cause skin irritation or burns. Apply a small amount on your inner forearm and wait 24 hours to see if any reaction occurs.
Avoid pairing niacinamide products with vitamin C serums, as they might prevent each other from absorption.
Niacinamide Side Effects on Skin
Niacinamide is generally considered safe and well-tolerated even on pairing with other products. Side effects might be because of niacinamide deficiency (Niacin Deficiency Symptoms: How to Test for Niacin Deficiency)
. However, it might end up causing some side effects of Niacinamide on certain skins, which include:
However, it is not very common, but sometimes people might have skin irritation or burns on the initial use of niacinamide products. It might be because the formulation has high-concentrated niacinamide that doesn’t go well with hypersensitivity. Or it might be due to additional ingredients present in the formulation.
Though rare, some people may have an allergy to niacinamide, which can cause symptoms like severe itching, swelling, or rash.
- Dryness
If you have exposed yourself to high-concentrated Niacinamide serums, you might get your skin dried up and itching.
If you experience any adverse reactions, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist. Always follow the specific product's instructions and consult a dermatologist or skin care professional for personalized advice.
Frequently Asked Question
Is Niacinamide Good for Oily Skin?
As stated above, niacinamide goes well for oily skin as it regulates sebum production.
How much niacinamide per day?
It is ideally one’s choice. However, research states that niacinamide application should be made twice a day. Additionally, always follow the specific instructions the product manufacturer provides or consult a dermatologist for personalized advice.
Conclusion
In summary, niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient addressing various skin concerns, from aging to inflammation and hyperpigmentation. Although generally safe, always conduct a patch test when introducing it into your routine. As part of a comprehensive skincare regimen, niacinamide can significantly contribute to healthier, more radiant skin. For personalized advice, a consultation with a skincare professional is recommended.