Niacinamide is certainly one skin care ingredient that should be on your radar due to its versatility. This wonder ingredient can be found in many skin care products like serums and moisturizers, but what actually is niacinamide? Niacinamide is one of the two major forms of vitamin B3 that is found in supplements. Vitamin B3 plays a vital role in ensuring the cells in your body function properly and in doing so, leads to a great deal of benefits for skin cells. Niacinamide is most commonly known for brightening skin, but it also provides a wide array of other skin health benefits.
- Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles.
There have been a few clinical studies that have shown the benefits of niacinamide smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. It has been shown that niacinamide can help protect the production and maintenance of collagen and elastin in the skin for a more plump, youthful complexion. As our skin gets older, our collagen production decreases along with the elasticity in our skin cells thus leading to fine lines and wrinkles. A 2004 published study by the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that applying a 5 percent niacinamide moisturizer daily for a period of 12 weeks, demonstrated significant improvements in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Combats Blemishes and Imperfections.
One great way that niacinamide works to help combat blemishes is through regulating oil production. When your skin produces excess oil, it can clog your pores and lead to the formation of blackheads and inflammatory blemishes. That is why maintaining the proper oil production can be vital in tackling blemishes and imperfections. A study conducted in 2006 demonstrates that a 2 percent niacinamide topical can effectively work to decrease oil production. Along with combatting blemishes, niacinamide may also work to fade the appearance of blemish scarring.
- Evens Skin Tone & Pigmentation Issues.
Niacinamide is most commonly known for reducing hyperpigmentation and creating an overall more even complexion. A 2006 study on niacinamide’s impact of hyperpigmentation found that it helps improve skin tone through fading pigmentation. Scientifically, niacinamide can also help inhibit the transfer of melanosomes that produce melanin or the brown and black pigment in our skin. For an even brighter complexion, niacinamide has been studied in combination with other topicals like vitamin C to demonstrate fading of hyperpigmentation and dark spots on the skin.
- Strengthens the Skin Barrier.
When your skin’s barrier becomes weak or damaged from elements like UV rays or excess pollution, it may dry out your complexion and leave you with dry, dull, flakey skin. Lipids, ceramides and fatty acids are responsible for protecting your skin against harmful invaders like bacteria and free radicals. When these begin to weaken, you may also experience excess stinging, and burning that can even lead to other skin conditions. Niacinamide is a wonder ingredient in strengthening and protecting your skin barrier. It works to help your skin encourage ceramide and elastin production to protect the skin barrier and deeply hydrate. When your skin is more hydrated, it has a greater shield of protection from outside aggressors.
How can you incorporate niacinamide in your skin care?
Niacinamide has many functions in maintaining healthy, plump, youthful skin. It works to combat texture, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, combat blemishes, even skin tones and strengthen the skin barrier. The most effective way to experience all these benefits is through applying it topically on the skin with a serum. Fyab Health carriers several skin care products that are formulated with niacinamide. Fyab’s Anti-Aging serum includes niacinamide to target fine lines and wrinkles whereas the Blemish Control serumincorporates this ingredient to smooth skin tone and blemishes. Fyab’s Renewal Serum also uses niacinamide to remove dirt, oil and dead skin build up and deeply clarify the skin for a brighter complexion. No matter what product you choose to use, the benefits of niacinamide should not be passed up.
REFERENCES:
Zoe Diana Draelos, Akira Matsubara & Kenneth Smiles (2006) The effect of 2% niacinamide on
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Bissett, D. L., et al. “Topical Niacinamide Reduces Yellowing, Wrinkling, Red Blotchiness, and
Hyperpigmented Spots in Aging Facial skin1.” International Journal of Cosmetic
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