Niacinamide in Skincare
A closer look
We’re always talking about the importance of knowing what’s in your skincare products. Here, on this blog, we try to give you a closer look at some of the more popular ingredients out there. Today, we’re crowding around the microscope to take a look at an ingredient you’ve probably heard of but may not know a lot about: niacinamide.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide (a type of Vitamin B3) is a water-soluble ingredient. It’s very popular for its skin building and moisturizing properties as well as for playing well with other skincare ingredients. Your body can (and probably does) produce niacinamide naturally, but most of it comes from niacin-rich foods like fish, chicken, grains, and nuts.
Niacinamide in skincare
Once you start looking for niacinamide in your skincare products, you may find that it’s basically everywhere. It has a laundry list of benefits, but I’d like to zero in on its skin brightening and skin protecting properties.
Did you know that dull skin is caused largely by an uneven skin tone? Brightening products aren’t effective for their ability to change your skin colour. They work because they even out your skin tone - making your skin reflect light more evenly. Niacinamide can minimize skin redness caused by external factors, reduces the appearance of pores, and helps to lighten dark spots, leaving you with more radiant, brighter looking skin. It’s also known for reducing oxidative stress caused by things like UV exposure and pollution.
So when can I use it?
Any time you want! The all-encompassing, generalist nature of niacinamide means it features in almost every type of skincare products: from toners to body lotions. Experts say that you’ll get the most out of your niacinamide when it's in products that stay on your skin like creams and serums as opposed to cleansers or washes that limit your skin-to-ingredient contact.
As it plays well with so many ingredients, there is no need to space it out between your morning routine and night routine. I will add, however, that it’s advised to use suncare with at least SPF 30 with your niacinamide product in the morning. (But if you know me at all, you’ll know I’d be yelling at you to use sun protection no matter what!)
Suncare
On the lookout
Keep an eye on this incredible ingredient the next time you’re reading the back of the box. I’ll give you a little hint to get you started. You could maybe Retinol See-ca it on a certain Repair Ampoule and, after that, you could Vitamin See it again on a Brightening Serum. ;)
Happy hunting!
x
Gi