One of the most potent skin vitamins you’ve probably never heard of is called niacinamide. It’s a form of vitamin B-3 that’s loaded with benefits for your skin. It can make your skin stronger and look better. Plus, it can treat various skin conditions, including acne and hyperpigmentation. But these are just two out of ten things niacinamide can do for you. Read on for a full list of skin benefits.
Niacinamide Benefits
- Less oil production — regulates the amount of oil produced by sebaceous glands.
- Improves skin barrier — it can help create a lipid barrier that keeps skin moist.
- Builds skin proteins — niacinamide builds keratin, which keeps your skin healthy.
- Minimized wrinkles — a 5% niacinamide concentration reduces fine lines over time.
- Treats hyperpigmentation — it can lighten dark spots.
- Limits acne — reduces inflammation and lesions over time.
- Reduces redness — reduced inflammation leads to fewer red blotches.
- Protects against sun damage — protects from damage from ultraviolet rays.
- Shrinks pores — smooth, moisturized skin limits the appearance of large pores.
- Builds skin cells — niacinamide helps build some types of skin proteins.
What is Niacinamide?
It is a form of vitamin B-3 that is water-soluble and needs to be replenished within your body. It’s a crucial skin-beautifying vitamin. It’s also essential for basic skin health as Vitamin B-3 deficiency can lead to skin disorders.
What Foods Contain Niacinamide?
You can eat your way to better skin health. Try to eat foods like green vegetables, beans, meat, fish, milk, eggs, yeast, and cereal grains—all of which are loaded with niacinamide. It’s also found in numerous supplements, sometimes under the name nicotinamide.
Foods Are Better Than Supplements
Experts say the safest and best way to increase this vitamin in your diet is through foods. Niacinamide supplements can have side effects. That’s why they require your doctor’s approval and may not be safe for pregnant or nursing mothers. So just the simple act of eating more niacinamide-rich foods should be enough to boost your skin health. You can also try adding topical niacinamide to your daily skin care routine.
Niacinamide Serum
Serums are the primary delivery vehicle for topical niacinamide. There are various quality serums on the market that you can easily add to your skin care routine. The most effective serums contain at least 5% niacinamide.
The Niacinamide Skin Care Routine
Adding a topical niacinamide serum to your daily routine is easy. First, wash your face. Follow this with a niacinamide serum. Then moisturize. And last but not least, make sure to end your morning skincare routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 30 SPF or more.
How Soon Can I Expect Better Skin?
Studies show it can take up to eight weeks to see niacinamide benefits. Just keep eating niacinamide-rich foods and using your serum once or twice a day, and the benefits will follow.
Niacin Vs. Niacinamide
These two vitamins are different yet similar. Niacin and niacinamide are the two forms of Vitamin B-3. Your body can take in niacinamide directly from food. It can also produce it from excess niacin.
Niacinamide Acne
Severe acne—especially pustules and papules—can get better with niacinamide intake. This includes both oral and topical niacinamide. It’s known to improve skin texture over time. Niacinamide boosts the skin’s ceramides to reduce water loss. It also can reduce the skin’s inflammatory response and lead to fewer pimples overall. In addition, it slows sebum (oil) production and reduces acne bacteria.
Summary
Niacinamide is a potent vitamin. It’s loaded with benefits for your skin—it can make it stronger and treat various skin conditions like acne and hyperpigmentation. If you’d like to learn more about what this vitamin can do for your skin, schedule an appointment today with one of our dermatologists. They’d be happy to recommend products to help you develop a niacinamide skin care routine.