We’ve known about the glow-worthy benefits of vitamin C for a while now because we’re in the business of constantly looking for solutions to make our skin healthier and brighter. Science doesn’t lie, after all: It works. When it comes to turbo-charged brightening advantages, vitamin B3 (also called niacinamide) is another dark horse. Niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient that is ignored a lot in relation to vitamin C for brightening and hydration.
Facts about Niacinamide
Name: Niacinamide or vitamin B3
Ingredient type: Brightener
Key benefits: brightening, reduces ageing symptoms, decreases acne
Who can use it: Generally speaking, anybody who needs their skin to be brighter or to stop ageing.
Usage frequency: You can use it in the morning and evening as well.
Works well with: It is good to combine it with other safe and potent antioxidants, such as Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Catechins, Quercetin and Tocopherol while using vitamin B3. It also eases retinol-related irritation.
Doesn’t work with: N / A, anything fits well with it.
What is Vitamin B3?
Nicotinamide is an essential vitamin that is water-soluble and is not synthesized in the body, so we have to consume it to benefit from it. Additionally, because our bodies cannot contain it on their own, the vitamin has been introduced into skincare products. Therefore, nicotinamide must be taken by supplement or applied topically to the skin if we want to enjoy its brightening benefits. Nicotinamide is present in certain topical formulations and can be used as a cream in the morning or night, usually after gentle washing.
Benefits of Niacinamide
As an all-around crowd-pleaser skincare ingredient that plays nice with other ingredients, we know its niacinamide. Now, by adding it to your skincare routine, let’s dig deeper into the unique benefits you may expect from niacinamide.
1. Reinforces the Skin Barrier
Niacinamide helps to repair and restore the skin surface, which protects against loss of moisture and dehydration, making it an ideal option for people with dry skin. This role is the justification behind many of its other advantages described below.
2. Regulates oil production
Niacinamide can help monitor the amount of oil your skin creates, which is why it can be applied to your routine to avoid the overdrive of oil output from your glands. The combination of control of oil production and anti-inflammation makes niacinamide an effective treatment for individuals with acne problems.
3. Hyper-pigmentation treatment (dark spots)
Some research has shown that products with a concentration of 5 percent niacinamide can help lighten dark spots. This may be due to its ability to promote the development of collagen and the turnover of cells.
4. Lowers the presence of fine lines and wrinkles
Similarly, if the turnover of skin cells is good, it may enhance the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles induced by dehydration, sun damage, and the climate.
5. Protects from oxidative stress
Studies have also shown that niacinamide can help protect the skin from exposure to the atmosphere and oxidative stress, such as radiation, pollution and toxins. This, again, goes back to its ability to reinforce the barrier to the skin.
Vitamin B3 is the best additive for skincare
Another less well-known truth is that when combined with other ingredients, most skincare items perform 10 times better. In particular, nicotinamide is best combined with other ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin, and soy for pigmentation and clearing dark spots.
Niacinamide vs. Nicotinic Acid
There is a common misunderstanding, however, when it comes to B3 and its (multiple) monikers: Nicotinamide is a different form of B3 amide (a complex chemical structure). It is not niacin, this vitamin’s acid form. Niacin is much simpler to find in the drugstore, but [occasionally] has the unfortunate side effect of flushing that nicotinamide does not have. So be sure to check the ingredient lists, and don’t presume that it’s always the same ingredient despite the absence of “-amide”.
How to use Niacinamide
The trick to reaping the benefits of vitamin B3s is carefully selecting your product range. Our skin serves as a shield, shielding our bodies from potentially harmful attackers, not all topical formulations can boast of successfully penetrating the technology.
Any active ingredient added topically must be formulated in a way that allows it to get into the skin where it is required. If nicotinamide penetrates this barrier efficiently, it can be successful. Look for B3 products to back them up with experimental research and not just pretty lists of ingredients.
The Best Products with Vitamin B3
beminimalist.co: Niacinamide 5% + Hyaluronic Acid 1%
It’s a lightweight, daily serum consisting of very potent Vitamin B3, Niacinamide especially formulated for those with dry & sensitive skin by the clean beauty brand, minimalist. It is made using Aloe juice instead of water with benefits of Hyaluronic acid to provide long-lasting hydration & a non-sticky, silky smooth skin.
minimalist also has a product that boosts dermal immunity, keeping your skin resilient and healthy. It is the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc.
Dr Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive Superfoods Stress Rescue Super Serum
To counteract the effects of stress on the skin (including acne, dullness, and signs of ageing), this serum produced by dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross has an ultra-silky formula filled with- niacinamide (B3), adaptogens, and superfood.
Juara Miracle Tea Complete Eye Cream
Juara’s must-have eye cream, in addition to vitamin B3, also features revitalizing ingredients such as fermented sweet black tea, marigold, illipe butter, five flavour berry, and a special radiance complex to improve cell regrowth for a clearer complexion.
Dr Brandt Dark Spots No More Triple Acid Spot Minimizing Concentrate
Produced especially for individuals with dark spot problems, this concentrated serum uses-tranexamic acid, phytic acid, and a more readily accepted derivative of azelaic acid to cope with hyper pigmentation problems. Included also? Niacinamide, which makes the skin much more tolerable for the whole thing.
