How to use Niacinamide Serum

Table of content

• Introduction

• What is Niacinamide?

• How to Apply Niacinamide in Your Skincare Routine

• Benefits of Niacinamide in the Skincare Routine

• Who can Use Niacinamide?

• Benefits from Using Niacinamide

• Take Home Points

• FAQs on How to use Niacinamide Serum

Introduction

Niacinamide, also referred to as vitamin B3, ranks among the top skincare products ingredients because of its many benefits to the skin. When used regularly and in higher concentrations, niacinamide may even offer more benefits to your skin. It is important to choose the right product because niacinamide is available in different forms like creams, serums, masks and more.

Though niacinamide can be combined with other ingredients to maximise skincare benefits, precaution is necessary depending on your skin type and sensitivity.

In this blog, we are going to look at niacinamide serum benefits for skin, how you can incorporate it in your regular skincare routine, who qualifies to use products containing niacinamide, and more.  

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide refers to a derivative of niacin (Vitamin B3), as an important nutrient that the body requires for various processes. This derivative of Vitamin B3 is water-soluble, which helps it rapidly absorb deep into the skin. Due to its potential benefits to the skin, niacinamide is a popular ingredient in skincare products. It has the ability to boost skin’s elasticity, which helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and also supports the function as a barrier.

Niacinamide has also been shown to contain anti-pigmentation and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are essential in defining the texture and tone of the skin.

How to Apply Niacinamide in Your Skincare Routine

 As with any skincare product, it is important to begin with the most lightweight formulas. Cleansers are necessary to eliminate all the impurities and offer a clean service for your next skincare regime. Like with other vitamin B serums, niacinamide benefits work effectively when used on a clean skin surface. This means you need to apply niacinamide serum after cleansing.

If you want to use niacinamide serum at night along with other formulas containing retinol, your skin should be cleansed and dried before using retinol. Formulas containing niacinamide should then be applied after. You should wait until the retinol is dry before adding other layers of other formulas.

Benefits of Niacinamide in the Skincare Routine

Now, what are the benefits of niacinamide in the skincare routine? It is worth noting that vitamin B3 is a supportive and strengthening ingredient. These features are essential in that they may help to address a variety of issues faced by all skin types, particularly sensitivity.

Niacinamide Serum Benefits for Oily Skin

Using vitamin B serum benefits may help to obscure the appearance of breakouts if you have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin types. Vitamin B3 boosts epidermal function, which stabilises the flow of oil in skin areas facing the problem.

Regular use of niacinamide can also improve the skin texture, making your pores size well refined. Vitamin B3 also contains a pigment reducing component, which can reduce the appearance of post-acne marks.  

Niacinamide Serum Benefit of Dry Skin

A weakened skin moisture barrier is one of the main causes of skin dryness. If your skin lacks the ability to lock in moisture, you are prone to dryness, rough texture, and dull complexion. One of the niacinamide serum benefits is the ability to strengthen skin moisture barrier, through the production of oils in skin called ceramides. Incorporating niacinamide in your skincare routine may boost a balanced hydration.

Who can Use Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that can be used by nearly everyone irrespective of gender, age and skin type. This versatile ingredient may offer numerous benefits to the skin in different ways, such as improved tone and texture, enhanced hydration, and reduced inflammation. Given that it can trigger very few side effects, niacinamide can be tolerated by most people.

Below is a breakdown about who can benefits from using niacinamide:

1.  Different skin types: Whether you have a sensitive, acne-prone, combination, dry, or oily skin, you can well tolerate niacinamide. Since it is naturally gentle, it can be suitable for people with reactive or sensitive skin who may not cope well with more potent ingredients.

2.  Acne-prone skin type: Niacinamide may help to regulate oil production, fight inflammation and obscure the appearance of marks or scars caused by acne. Additionally, it has antimicrobial properties which may fight bacteria that cause acne formation.

3.  Oily skin type: Niacinamide regulates the production of sebum, which makes it ideal if you have oily or acne-prone skin type. The oil level balancing ability in niacinamide helps to reduce shine, obscure the appearance of enlarged pores, and prevent breakouts without causing skin dryness.

4.  Anti-aging properties: Aging is a gradual process that triggers the formation of wrinkles and fine lines that comes with age. By improving skin elasticity, niacinamide may promote a youthful complexion and other ageing symptoms.

5.  Sensitive skin type: If you have a sensitive or easily irritated skin, niacinamide may offer some benefits. It offers soothing and anti-inflammatory properties to strengthen your skin against external stressors by improving the skin barrier.

6.  Reduces Hyperpigmentation: Problems such as hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and dark spots can be effectively reduced by niacinamide. It prevents the transfer of melanin to the skin’s surface which results in a more even complexion after consistent use.

7.  Dry skin type: By strengthening the skin barrier, niacinamide boosts moisture retention and prevents water loss. It also contains hydrating properties to plump the skin, which makes it soft, smooth and supple.

Benefits from Using Niacinamide

Let’s now look at exactly what you should expect when adding a serum with niacinamide to your daily routine.

1.  Reduced Appearance of Dark Spots

Most people try to search about the benefits of niacinamide when dealing with dark spots. Studies demonstrate that when used correctly and consistently, products containing this ingredient can effectively diminish the appearance of dark spots. In fact, in one study, niacinamide was found effective as a lightening agent to diminish the appearance of skin discoloration, including post-acne marks and dark spots.

2.   Soothes Irritation and Redness

Niacinamide has soothing properties that may benefit people with sensitive skin types that are prone to eczema and rosacea. When applied topically, this ingredient may help to calm irritated skin and prevent the appearance of redness in the face.

Furthermore, niacinamide can alleviate mild irritation triggered by certain skincare ingredients like retinol, which can cause redness, sensitivity, and flaking.

3.  Improved Complexion

People with oily skin are prone to congested pores that often lead to breakouts. In such cases, niacinamide can be beneficial as it regulates sebum production. Experts agree that niacinamide can be a potential game-changer if you have an oily, acne-prone skin by minimising shine and oiliness.

4.  Improves Hydration and Reduces Fine Lines

 On top of being suitable for oily skin, niacinamide has plenty of benefits too for anyone with dry skin. Niacinamide helps to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier to give a more youthful and nourished appearance.

When topically used on a daily basis, it can help to make your skin appear plump and well-hydrated. This ingredient prevents water loss from your skin which can cause dehydration and dryness. Keeping your skin well hydrated can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles too.

5.  Diminishes the Appearance of large Pores

If you experience textural problems, such as enlarged pores, niacinamide may offer the complexion-enhancing benefit. Research demonstrates that niacinamide can visibly minimise the appearance pore size and improve the texture of a rough skin. Experts say that consistent use of niacinamide can result in a smoother looking skin in less than eight weeks.

6.  Brightens the Skin Complexion

A dull complexion can be rectified through regular use of niacinamide. This ingredient when used rationally and consistently can give you a more radiant-looking and brighter skin. When your skin is healthy, it may radiate that the appearance is from within. Niacinamide’s ability to regulate sebum production, improve hydration, and strengthen the barrier can translate to a brighter complexion. Plus, your pores look smaller and redness is diminished, yielding to a wonderful bright, even-toned skin.

When to Apply Niacinamide

Another great concern in skincare practices is when to apply niacinamide. According to experts, niacinamide serums work best when used twice daily. This could be any time of the day or at night.

Nevertheless, bear in mind that niacinamide serums can vary in their formulations in different products. That’s why you should always read the product packaging and use it as recommended. The product packaging will also indicate the skin concern that the formula is meant to address.

If you have concerns like dark spots, look for a concentrated serum. If you want to reclaim your skin, add a niacinamide moisturiser in your skincare regimen.

Take Home Points

Niacinamide, also called vitamin B3, has numerous benefits for the skin. It may prevent acne that occurs mainly due to clogged pores caused by sebum. This ingredient has been shown to boost skin hydration, diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which are associated with ageing.

Niacinamide is a major ingredient in skincare products at varying concentration levels, which can be tolerated by nearly all skin types. Niacinamide can be obtained in various forms, such as serums, lotions, creams, and more.

Although niacinamide comes with many benefits, every person’s skin is unique and what may work for you may not work for another person. As with all other skincare products, it is important to consult a professional before introducing a new product in your daily regime.