As many of you know, but for those who don’t, the conclusions we make about any ingredient are always based on what the published research has shown to be true and the research about niacinamide unanimously demonstrates how special it is. Ongoing research keeps confirming it’s one of the most exciting skin care ingredients around.
Niacinamide known as vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, it is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimize enlarged pores, tighten lax or stretched out pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened surface.
Niacinamide also reduces the impact of environmental damage because of its ability to improve skin’s barrier (its first line of defence), plus it also plays a role in helping skin to repair signs of past damage. Left unchecked, this type of daily assault makes skin appear older, dull and less radiant.
Niacinamide skin benefits
This multitalented ingredient is truly one that all can add to their routine, no matter skin type or skin concern. Some people’s skin may have more concerns niacinamide can address, but without question everyone’s skin will gain something from this B vitamin. Speaking of, let’s dive into the specific concerns niacinamide can help improve.
Niacinamide benefit#1
MINIMIZES ENLARGED PORES
Niacinamide is most famous for its ability to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. As we touched on above, research hasn’t determined how this B vitamin works its pore-reducing magic, but it seems that niacinamide has a normalizing ability on the pore lining. This plays a role in helping to keep oil and debris from getting backed up, which leads to clogs and rough, bumpy skin.
As the clog forms and worsens, the pores stretch to compensate, leading to enlargement. Routine usage of niacinamide helps pores return to their natural size. Sun damage can cause pores to become stretched, too, leading to what some describe as "orange peel skin". Higher concentrations of niacinamide can help visibly tighten pores by shoring up skin’s supportive elements, often dramatically improving orange peel texture.
Niacinamide benefit#2
ADDED MOISTURE
Niacinamide helps renew and restore skin's surface against moisture loss and dehydration. When key fatty acids in skin’s barrier known as ceramides gradually deplete, skin is left vulnerable to all sorts of problems, from persistent patches of dry, flaky skin to increasingly becoming extra-sensitive.
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 dryness and flaky texture. Niacinamide works brilliantly with common moisturizer ingredients like glycerin, non-fragrant plant oils, cholesterol, sodium PCA, and sodium hyaluronate.
Niacinamide benefit#3
BRIGHTENS SKIN
How does niacinamide help discolorations and uneven skin tone? Both concerns stem from excess melanin (skin pigment) showing on skin’s surface. In concentrations of 5% and greater, niacinamide works via several pathways to keep new discolorations from appearing. At the same time, it also helps reduce the appearance of existing discolorations, so your skin tone looks more even. Research has shown niacinamide and tranexamic acid work particularly well together, and as mentioned above, it can be used with other discoloration-reducing ingredients such as all forms of vitamin C, licorice, retinol, and bakuchiol.
