Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B-3, an essential nutrient. Despite the similarities in names, niacinamide isn’t the same thing as niacin. They are two different types of vitamin B-3.
We can get niacinamide from a variety of dietary sources, like peanuts, avocado, brown rice, green peas, and beans.
Some fast facts about Niacinamide for skin: It can be used morning or night, and it plays well with all other ingredients. Niacinamide is uniquely compatible with any of the products in your skin care routine, including those that contain retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, AHAs, BHA, vitamin C, and all types of antioxidants.
All around, niacinamide "plays nice" with many other kinds of ingredients and can greatly benefit your skin.
ONE: Niacinamide can reduce skin cancer. Medical studies have shown that during the study, there were 23 percent fewer new cases of skin cancer in the group that applied niacinamide topically. Niacinamide can concurrently rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays. It can also help build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
TWO: Niacinamide has been proven to help treat acne. It can help regulate the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce and prevent your glands from going into overdrive. Niacinamide may be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Over time, you may see fewer lesions and improved skin texture.
THREE: It can reduce hyperpigmentation. Data and medical studies show that the application of niacinamide to the skin can lighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation after 4 weeks. Niacinamide has been shown to prevent the transfer of pigment within the skin, which can help reduce the onset of brown spots that haven’t appeared yet.
FOUR: Niacinamide can reduce fine lines and wrinkles. International Journal of Cosmetic Science did a study on 50 women and asked them to apply a moisturizer containing 5 percent niacinamide to one half of their face and a placebo moisturizer to the other half for 12 weeks. Their results showed that the halves of their faces receiving niacinamide had significant improvements in fine lines and wrinkles compared to the control side. Niacinamide also works very good with arbutin, soy, and kojic acid – ingredients that also help reduce sun spots and discoloration.
FIVE: Help Reduce Skin Sensitivity. Niacinamide can help minimize sensitivity in skin. This is especially handy when preparing for treatments like glycolic peels or the use of retinol products. You can use multiple niacinamide containing products in your routine, and it will still be non-sensitizing as B vitamin is well tolerated by all skin types. You can use multiple niacinamide-containing products in your routine, and it will still be non-sensitizing as this ingenious B vitamin is well tolerated by all skin types. It’s even suitable for use by those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
SIX: Niacinamide can help correct dry skin. If you struggle with dry skin, topical application of niacinamide has been shown to boost the hydrating ability of moisturizers so skin’s surface can better resist the moisture loss that leads to recurrent dry, tight, flaky skin. Other helpful benefits of niacinamide are that it helps renew and restore the surface of skin against moisture loss and dehydration by helping skin improve its natural production of skin-strengthening ceramides.
SEVEN: Niacinamide can help reduce pore size. This magical B vitamin can "normalize" the pore lining, and that this influence plays a role in keeping debris from getting backed up, which leads to clogs and rough, bumpy skin. As the clog forms and worsens, the pores stretch to compensate, and what you’ll see is enlarged pores. By helping things get back to normal, niacinamide use helps pores return to their normal size.
