Skin Benefits of Niacinamide

 I love skincare and when I can find a product that can give me multiple benefits in one that is the ultimate find! That was one reason I created our VitaB Revitalizing serum with 10% niacinamide. This serum can literally be used by anyone because niacinamide has so many benefits to your skin, that you are bound to find one that you are seeking! There has been so much hype around niacinamide in skincare and rightfully so. Lets get into the many reasons why niacinamide is the G.O.A.T. ingredient you need to have in your skincare regimen!

What is Niacinamide?!

 Niacinamide is the active form of Vitamin B3, known as niacin or nicotinamide. It is necessary for cellular energy and optimal tissue function in our bodies.

 Research shows, niacinamide can offer many benefits in improving the appearance of aged and photodamaged skin, skin moisturization, texture, hyperpigmentation, improvement in rosacea, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Niacinamide has also been shown to stimulate ceramide and collagen formation, which helps to strengthen your skin barrier. Strengthening your skin barrier helps your skin to be more tolerant to environmental irritants.

It is important to note when it comes to skincare products; you want to make sure you see “niacinamide” in the ingredients list. This will ensure that you are getting the good stuff!

Lets get into the skin benefits of niacinamide: 

Reduces Hyperpigmentation

There have been multiple scientific studies that have shown that niacinamide is efficient at significantly decreasing and fading areas of hyperpigmentation. One in particular is a study that was published in the British Journal of Dermatology that found that niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness after 4 weeks.

Another study, published in the British journal of Dermatology, found that a formulation containing the combination of niacinamide + n-acetyl glucosamide (NAG) reduced the appearance of irregular pigmentation, providing an effect beyond that achieved with SPF 15 sunscreen alone. Niacinamide and NAG work in two different ways to clear and prevent hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide helps to clear existing hyperpigmentation while NAG prevents the formation of hyperpigmentation. When the two are combined the effect on hyperpigmentation was found to be greater. This is exactly why I had made sure to include these two ingredients in our bNB 10% Niacinamide Rescue Serum!

Improves the skin barrier

A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that niacinamide improves the skin barrier by stimulating the formation of ceramides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol in the skin. Niacinamide was also found to decrease transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in dry skin! This improves moisture retention and restores hydration levels to your skin, leaving you with a glow of healthy skin. Because of the ability of niacinamide to strengthen your skin barrier along with it’s clarifying activity (number 4) it dramatically reduces pore size and helps to get rid of those small little rough bumps that you may have on your skin. The ability of niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier also makes it a great ingredient for Rosacea!

Reduces enlarged pores

Yes! Niacinamide can reduce the appearance of enlarged pores while also reducing surface sebum. A study found that, 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks significantly improved skin elasticity. When the elasticity is strengthened in our skin it can also help improve and reduce enlarged pores; while also helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

When it comes to sebum production in your skin, niacinamide decreases the glyceride and fatty acids of surface sebum. This helps to clear and debunk all the sticky sebum that can enlarge your pores, which in turn results in significant reductions in the appearance of pore size and rough skin texture after 4 weeks of topical treatment.

Rosacea

If you struggle with rosacea you have increased facial skin dryness and sensitivity that can be quite uncomfortable. Because of the ability of niacinamide to strengthen the skin barrier it could play a possible role in the management of this condition. Including niacinamide in your skincare routine can help to reduce the redness and irritation caused from your rosacea.

Antioxidant effects

Niacinamide increases the reduced forms of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate or NAD(P), which have potent antioxidant properties and is responsible for many cellular functions in our tissues.

Improves Acne

The clarifying activity of niacinamide along with its anti-inflammatory effects makes it an effective natural treatment for tissue refinement where it increases the skin’s ability to de-congest and clear acne. A study published in the International Journal of Dermatology found that 4% niacinamide gel is comparable to 1% clindamycin gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Topical clindamycin, like other antibacterial prescriptions, can be associated with bacterial resistance, which is when an antibacterial medication no longer is as effective. This is why niacinamide is a great alternative for treatment for acne vulgaris.

How long to see results

A major question that everyone wants to know is how long does it take to see results when using niacinamide in your skincare. Well the answer to this depends on what results you are looking for. There are many studies on niacinamide in skincare that focused on different results and effects that it has on the skin. To make it easier for you I will give you results that were found in these different studies.

• Niacinamide improves hyperpigmentation in 4 weeks
• Niacinamide can strengthen your skin barrier in 4 weeks
• Niacinamide can reduce redness and irritation from rosacea in 4 weeks
• Niacinamide can reduce oil production in skin in 2 – 6 weeks
• Niacinamide can improve acne in 8 weeks
• Niacinamide can improve wrinkles in 8 – 12 weeks

These are all amazing benefits of using niacinamide in your skincare routine. Whatever results you are looking to find from your skincare products, niacinamide should definitely be included in your rotation. Just about everyone can benefit from using this all around powerhouse ingredient. Just remember, that if you want to see any results from niacinamide in your skincare routine you must be consistent and trust the process. Seeing changes from your skincare products takes time and patience! Check out our VitaB Revitalizing serum with 10% niacinamide to get started now! Use code NIABLOG10 for 10% off!