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What is niacinamide and what is its benefit?

 

 

 

 

When you think about skin care and following a daily routine, this routine must contain niacinamide. Niacinamide, or nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 and is a water-soluble vitamin. It is not niacin, they are two different types of vitamin B3.

Niacin turns to niacinamide when taken in quantities larger than what the body needs. The body can make it from the Niacin supplements it takes. This happens when there is an excess amount of niacin in the body. Tryptophan can also be converted into it in the body.

Its benefits for the skin

- Helps build keratin . 

- Helps build proteins in the skin and lock in moisture.

- Helps increase the production of ceramide (fats that help maintain the skin’s protective barrier).

- Constricting large pores

- It works to combat infections and reduces redness and spots.

- It regulates the amount of oils produced by the sebaceous glands and prevents the glands from being overactive.

- Lightens the skin and treats hyperpigmentation.

- Protects from sun damage and treats eczema.

- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

- Protects against oxidative stress. It helps build skin cells while also protecting them from environmental stresses such as sunlight pollution and toxins.

- Helps treat and relieve acne.

- It helps stimulate collagen and elastin in the epidermal layer of the skin and improve skin elasticity while reducing skin irritation, reducing redness and improving micro-circulation in the skin.

 

Its benefits for the body

- To prevent and treat pellagra.

- Taking it orally helps in slowing the progression of type 1 diabetes.

- Improves joint flexibility, it reduces pain and swelling in people with osteoporosis.

- Helps prevent new skin cancer or precancerous spots of formation in people with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer.

- Helps reduce high phosphate levels in people who need dialysis due to kidney failure.

Ways to get it

Eating a balanced diet is the best way to get vitamin B3. But taking nutritional supplements is only under medical supervision to treat deficiency.

Vitamin B3 is found in

·         Meat

·          Fish

·         Eggs

·         Green vegetables

·       Beans

·         Milk

·         Cereals

 

However, there is no way to guarantee that the nutrients in the diet are sufficient to meet the skin's need for the vitamin. The only way to ensure that it targets skin health and problems is to use it topically, as it can be obtained in the form of serums and creams, and some cleansers and facial masks also contain it.

Topical niacinamide is available in the form of: gel, serum, and cream. My favorite types of serums personally and from my experience are 10% concentration, which is Eva niacinamide serum (Eva Skin Clinic niacinamide facial serum 30 ml), Flourish niacinamide, and Natavis niacinamide. Beesline niacinamide , and Skin side niacinamide.

 

Ways to use it

It is preferable to use it gradually with a low concentration, as most formulations contain 5% or less. Research has proven that 5% formulations are effective in treating hyperpigmentation and damage associated with exposure to sunlight. If your skin is sensitive, it is preferable to start with a lower concentration of products containing 2%.

It can be used with other skin care ingredients to obtain maximum effect, such as zinc to treat acne, and also with hyaluronic acid, as it has been experimentally proven to increase its absorption.

With any new skin care product, you probably won't see any significant results for several weeks according to most available research. It describes a noticeable improvement after four weeks of use, but there is no specific timeline. You may see more changes to your skin after eight weeks, so it is important to be patient and stick to your daily skin care routine.

Side effects

Niacinamide is generally safe to use. But people with pre-existing allergies are more likely to have allergic reactions because it can cause the body to release histamine. You can avoid widespread allergic reactions and product sensitivities by performing a patch test .

- A small amount of the product is placed on the forearm.

- Wait 24 hours.

- If redness, swelling, or itching begins to appear, wash the area and discontinue use.

          - If no side effects appear, it is safe to use.

 

 References

-https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/niacinamide

-https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1534/niacinamide

-https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Niacinamide