Niacinamide
LAST UPDATED: JAN 17, 2023 / By Nura / IngredientsLibrary
Niacinamide is one of superstar antioxidant. Not only helps to even out skin tone but also helps to fight free radicals & balance sebum production. That’s why we always see niacinamide in anti-acne & also brightening products.
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Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) is found in many foods include red meat, fish, milk, egg, green vegetable, nut and cereals. Deficiency in Vitamin B3 may lead to disorder in skin, kidney and brain. Niacinamide can help rebuild protein in skin layer and trapped moisture from loss to the surrounding. It also can reduce skin blemishes and brighten the skin tone. 5% of Niacinamide can bring improvement in dark spot treatment, fine lines and wrinkles by boosting the collagen production. It almost suitable for all skin type and can be used to treat all kind of skin concern.
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Please use Niacinamide and Vitamin C separately as Niacinamide can reduce the integrity of Vitamin C by deactivate the Acid L-Ascorbic). Vitamin C can be use at Night Routine (PM) and Niacinamide can be use at daytime (AM). Niacinamide is compatible with other type of ingredients like peptide, hyaluronic acid, AHA and BHA and all type of antioxidant. AHA can help exfoliate the skin and remove the dead skin cell that make it easier for Niacinamide to effectively penetrate. Niacinamide can help bring calmness and increase skin tolerance, thus make it a perfect pair to be use with Retinol. Niacinamide also has the capability to disrupt the transfer of melanosome which cause hyperpigmentation.
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Niacinamide is said to be effective with a concentration rate as low as 2%. But one thing you need to know, not everyone can tolerate a high concentration of niacinamide, for example 10%. Because high concentration of niacinamide can cause irritation for some type of skin.
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So, how do you choose? Usually for oily skin, you can try niacinamide serum but maybe start with 5% first if your skin is easily irritated. For dry skin, it is recommended to try niacinamide in the form of a moisturizer with lower concentration (5% and below).
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How long does it take to see the effectiveness after using Niacinamide?
Commonly, after 4-12 weeks with a twice a day usage (depending on the severity of your skin concern and also it will depend on Niacinamide concentration). Consistent application needed to get a continuous improvement. Apply it topically to get faster result.
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Although Niacinamide has inflammatory properties and can help to balance in sebum production, it still not a great treatment for acne. But it has some properties that can be use to fix certain skin concern such as:
+ Skin immunity – Niacinamide can help build keratin, a protein that will bring firmness and healthiness to your skin.
+ Lipid barrier – It can help grow a ceramide barrier, that will help trap moist in your skin. Niacinamide is a better hydration agent compared to petrolatum jelly.
+ Reduce redness and blotchiness.
+ Reduce the pore size appearance – Niacinamide can act like a magnet to help remove dirt and oil from pore lining.
+ Oil control – Niacinamide can help control oil production from the sebaceous glands by preventing it to create excessive sebum.
+ Protects against sun damage and oxidative stress – Niacinamide helps rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays, pollution and environmental stress.
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Niacinamide works well with green tea extract that may ease irritation related to redness and retinol. And what does niacinamide and zinc do for skin? 10% of Niacinamide with 1% of Zinc combination has been shown increase skin radiance, improve skin suppleness and skin barrier function after a period of time.
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