Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. It has many benefits in skincare including boosting hydration and fading dark spots. It can also help clear acne. Niacinamide protects the skin from environmental damage and increases levels of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which makes the skin more elastic and hydrated.
With regular use signs of aging and enlarged pores are reduced and skin tone becomes more even. Some people have even used niacinamide for acne scars with great success. If you want to try using vitamin b3 for your skin I have listed 7 reasons why you should start using niacinamide today plus a review of The Ordinary Niacinamide with before and after results. I have also detailed some of the side effects niacinamide can cause at first such as purging, and what you can expect.
Niacinamide: What does it do for your skin?
Here are 7 benefits niacinamide has for the skin:
1. Niacinamide helps build keratin which makes your skin firmer and more toned
When applied to the skin niacinamide stimulates the production of keratin, a protein which occurs naturally in your skin, hair and fingernails. Keratin is a popular ingredient in hair care products, but it also has anti aging properties for the skin. Keratin increases the thickness of the skin’s outer layer and enhances the barrier function of the skin. It therefore protects it from bacteria and other environmental stressors. Keratin also increases the amount of collagen in your skin and therefore increases its firmness and elasticity. It may be the increased collagen which causes niacinamide to fade acne scars.
Check out the following study:
2. Niacinamde helps your skin retain moisture by strengthening its lipid barrier
Studies have shown that topical vitamin b3 increases fatty acids and ceramides which makes your skin barrier healthier. It also reduces water loss helping your skin to stay hydrated.
Check out the following studies:
- Nicotinamide Increases Biosynthesis of Ceramides as Well as Other Stratum Corneum Lipids to Improve the Epidermal Permeability Barrier
- Moisturizing Effects of Topical Nicotinamide on Atopic Dry Skin
3. Niacinamide is Anti-inflammatory: Use niacinamide for acne
Niacinamide helps to regulate sebum production so if you have oily skin it may stop your pores getting clogged. Excess oil can get trapped in pores leading to acne, blemishes and blackheads. Niacinamide can control oil production and also has anti-inflammatory properties meaning it can be beneficial for acne sufferers. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects you can also use niacinamide for rosacea. If you have acne scars niacinamide can also help these to fade.
Check out the following studies:
- Topical Nicotinamide Compared With Clindamycin Gel in the Treatment of Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris
- The Effect of 2% Niacinamide on Facial Sebum Production
4. Niacinamide will give you more even skin tone: Use niacinamide for hyperpigmentation
If you have dark spots or discoloration topical vitamin b3 can help. It normally takes at least 4 weeks of consistent use to see results but vitamin b3 will lighten dark spots on the skin. In time your skin will appear more even and blemishes will be significantly reduced. This effect may be due to increased collagen production and is the reason why you can use niacinamide for acne scars.
Check out the following studies:
- Topical Niacinamide Reduces Yellowing, Red Blotchiness, and Hyperpigmented Spots
- Niacinamide-containing Facial Moisturizer Improves Skin Barrier and Benefits Subjects With Rosacea
5. Niacinamine has anti aging benefits: Use Niacinamide for wrinkles and fine lines
Niacinamide has been shown to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Check out the following studies into topical vitamin b3 for skin:
- Evaluation of Anti-Wrinkle Effects of a Novel Cosmetic Containing Niacinamide
- Topical Niacinamide Reduces Wrinkling in Aging Facial Skin
- Niacinamide: A B Vitamin That Improves Aging Facial Skin Appearance
The effectiveness of niacinamide in reducing wrinkles may again be down to its ability to increase collagen production. Collagen makes the skin smoother and more elastic, decreasing the appearance of wrinkles.
6. Niacinamide protects your skin from sun damage
Niacinamide protects skin cells from damage caused by UV rays due to its antioxidant properties. It also helps to repair damage caused by UV light.
Check out the following studies:
- Nicotinamide Enhances Repair of Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in Primary Melanocytes
- Topical Nicotinamide Modulates Cellular Energy Metabolism and Provides Broad-Spectrum Protection Against Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Immunosuppression in Humans
7. Niacinamide restores dull or sallow skin
If you aren’t getting the right nutrients your skin can become sallow over time appearing slightly yellow, overly tired and haggard. Free radicals in the environment can cause the skin to appear this way. Since niacinamide is a powerful antioxidant it can reverse sallowness and make your skin appear healthier and brighter. Check out this article which describes studies where niacinamide was shown to decrease skin yellowness.
Niacinamide: How to use it
You should use niacinamide twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. If you are also using vitamin C in your skincare routine then you should not use niacinamide at the same time. This is because when applied together niacinamide can minimise the benefits of vitamin C. If you are using both then apply niacinamide in the morning and vitamin C in the evening.
When to use Niacinamide in Your Routine
This depends on how many products you are using in your skincare routine. Your niacinamide serum should be applied before any heavier creams. I recommend after cleansing your skin and using your toner or essence to then apply niacinamide. Once it has dried applied moisturiser over the top. You could over apply niacinamide directly to clean skin and then an oil or moisturiser on top.
Can Niacinamide be used with Retinol?
Yes! Niacinamide and retinol are a good combination and work well together. Retinol can cause irritation and niacinamide can help to reduce this.
Can Niacinamide be used with Vitamin C?
No! Vitamin C needs to be in a formula with a low pH (of 3.5) to be effective. Niacinamide would raise the pH closer to 4.5-5 thus making the Vitamin C less effective. You can use both ingredients in your skincare routine, just not at the same time.
Niacinamide Side Effects
Niacinamide may cause mild itching, redness or burning. It can also cause temporary acne and blemishes since niacinamide may cause purging.
Can Niacinamide cause Purging?
When you first start using niacinamide it may cause your skin to purge. This means your skin cells start turning over at an increased rate. When your skin starts shedding dead cells faster than normal this may cause temporary blemishes and pimples. This should not last more than 4-6 weeks which is the time it takes for the skin to renew itself. Any new active skincare product can cause your skin cells to turn over more quickly. Other examples include Vitamin C, retinol, AHAs and BHAs. Niacinamide does not cause purging in everyone, but if it does cause purging for you it will only be temporary.
Can Niacinamide cause Acne?
It may appear that niacinamide is causing acne when in fact your skin is purging. When your skin is purging your skin cells are turning over more quickly. This accelerates the rate that pre-existing clogged pores rise to the surface and become blemishes. These pimples would have shown up anyway and could have taken weeks or months to appear. Vitamin B3 when applied to the skin speeds up the process causing many blemishes to appear at once. If you persevere you will eventually end up with clearer, cleaner skin. Niacinamide can also help to clear acne scars.
Niacinamide: What to buy
I recommend The Ordinary Niacinamide which contains 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc. It is available on Amazon for a great price.
- High-strength vitamin and mineral blemish formula
- Contains Vitamin B3 to reduce the appearance of blemishes and congestion
- Balances visible sebum activity
- Apply to face morning and evening before heavier creams
- Product size: 30ml
The Ordinary Niacinamide Review Before and After
When searching for other niacinamide before and after reviews The Ordinary came up with the best results. Nearly every niacinamide before and after review for The Ordinary showed improved skin tone and clearer skin. My overall verdict is below which includes my review for The Ordinary niacinamide before and after.
You may also enjoy the following posts: