7 BENEFITS OF POWERHOUSE INGREDIENT NIACINAMIDE

By mushee cosmetics | June 17, 2022

So, you’ve probably heard of niacinamide before, right? From brightening to anti-aging, it's no wonder that niacinamide is one of the most-talked about ingredients in the skincare world! But what exactly is niacinamide? And should you be using it? We are going to break down how this powerhouse ingredient works and how to incorporate it in your routine.  

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3. Having been discovered a century ago, niacinamide has been well-researched and well-studied.1 To clear up any confusion, niacinamide is not the same as niacin – essentially, they are two different forms of vitamin B3. Niacin can be converted into niacinamide when ingested, however, niacinamide does not naturally occur in the body on its own. This means we can get niacinamide either by ingesting it via food or supplements, or by adding it to our skincare routine. 

Okay, now that we’ve gotten past the science stuff, it is time to show off niacinamide in all its glory! 

Benefits of Niacinamide 

As a skincare ingredient, the benefits of niacinamide are endless. It is often overshadowed by brightening and anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C and retinol, however, niacinamide can address these skin concerns and more! 

  • Repair and protect the skin barrier

    Remember the skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin designed to protect your skin against external stressors and irritants? Well, niacinamide is one of the many heroes that supports and strengthens your skin barrier! It does this by increasing ceramides and lipids, which in turn helps your skin retain moisture.
  • Minimize the appearance of pores

    By keeping your skin smooth and moisturized, niacinamide can help prevent your pores from getting clogged, which is the main cause of enlarged-looking pores. Consistent use of niacinamide helps your pores return to their normal size.
  • Treat hyperpigmentation and promote brighter skin

    Data suggests that niacinamide is effective at evening dark spots, hyperpigmentation and scars by inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes2 (plain English: this transfer results in skin lightening of discolorations).
  • Repair and prevent signs of aging

    Ceramides and lipids deplete as we age (sad), which results in dry, dehydrated and flaky skin. As a barrier-supporting ingredient, niacinamide can boost the skin’s ability to retain moisture and subsequently prevent signs of aging, such as minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Regulate sebum and oil production

    If you have oily skin, it is possible that your skin is dehydrated. This is because your pores are working in overdrive to compensate for the lack of moisture. Thanks to niacinamide’s barrier support function, it can help regulate and balance this overproduction.
  • Reduce inflammation

    The calming and soothing qualities of niacinamide can help reduce and soothe inflammation and redness from rosacea, acne and other skin sensitivities.
  • Protect against sun damage and oxidative stress

    Sun damage and environmental pollutants can weaken the skin barrier and damage your skin barrier over time. Niacinamide helps protect and strengthen the skin barrier against such damage by building new cells.

Phew, that’s a lot of benefits! It seems like there isn’t anything that niacinamide can’t help with – that's a win in our books! But that begs the question: who can use this all-seemingly powerful ingredient?

"As a skincare ingredient, the benefits of niacinamide are endless."

Can I Use Niacinamide?  

Good news – niacinamide is one of those ingredients that works well for pretty much all skin types (including sensitive skin)! *insert happy dance* It is non-irritating and pairs well with other actives like retinol, vitamin C, peptides, alpha arbutin, hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). 

How Do I Incorporate Niacinamide in My Routine? 

It’s easy to use niacinamide since it’s in many formulations including cleansers, moisturizers, serums and toners. Many of our own products contain niacinamide, including: 

Final Thoughts

Consistent use of skincare containing niacinamide can have an overall positive impact on your skin. The benefits of this powerhouse of an ingredient are no joke! It can take weeks to see noticeable improvements in your skin, so patience is key – it'll be so worth it. 

Disclaimer: Beauty Vibin' is intended to help educate on skincare ingredients and skincare related topics. It is designed for informational purposes only. Information on ingredients used in cosmetic products appearing on the Site are not intended to be, nor should be interpreted as, advice or a recommendation concerning the use of any cosmetic product. If you have questions about the use of a cosmetic product, please consult a physician. Please note any Mushee Cosmetics products with referenced ingredients are formulated for cosmetic use only.

Paul J Matts, John E Oblong and Donald L Bissett, ‘A Review of the Range of Effects of Niacinamide in Human Skin’ (2002) 5(4) IFSCC Magazine 285.

2 Tomohiro Hakozaki et al, ‘The Effect of Niacinamide on Reducing Cutaneous Pigmentation and Suppression of Melanosome Transfer’ (2002) 147(1) British Journal of Dermatology 20.

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