Niacinamide, one form of vitamin B3, which has multiple benefits for the skin when used topically. It can be found in many different cosmetics and lotions. Although niacinamide is still a relatively new discovery for skincare, its benefits are already being recognized by the industry and more companies are starting to include this in their formulations.
Table of Contents
- 1. Keep the Skin Healthy and Firm
- 2. Moisturize Skin
- 3. Boost Skin Immunity
- 4. Skin Lipid Barrier
- 5. Increase Skin Barrier Strength
- 6. Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines
- 7. Treat Dark Spots
- 8. Protect Against Sun Damage
- 9. Reduce Sensitivity
- 10. Effects on Acne
- 11. Anti-aging Benefits
- 12. Minimize the Appearance of Pores
1. Keep the Skin Healthy and Firm
Niacinamide increases the production of keratin, a protein that comprises about 90% of the skin surface. It is responsible for the good condition of your skin, hair and nails.
2. Moisturize Skin
Niacinamide helps skin against moisture loss and dehydration. This means that you can use niacinamide to retain moisture in the skin or in combination with other moisturizers to provide the skin with all of the moisture it needs.
It’s particularly good for those who live in dry climates because it helps protect the surface of our skin against things like pollution and dust which can damage it.
3. Boost Skin Immunity
Niacinamide can boost the immunity of the skin by strengthening the stratum corneum, which is a protective layer of dead cells on the surface of the skin. It makes skin more resistant to external irritants and infections.
4. Skin Lipid Barrier
Niacinamide stimulates the production of ceramide in the skin, which strengthens the lipid barrier of the skin. Lipids are fat-soluble substances that are important for the barrier function of the skin.
When niacinamide is applied to the skin topically, it stimulates ceramide synthesis in human keratinocytes, which are cells that make up about 90% of the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. When this lipid barrier remains strong, water loss is reduced and it can retain moisture better.
5. Increase Skin Barrier Strength
Niacinamide can be used to treat very sensitive skin by strengthening its barrier function. This means that any irritants are kept away from the surface of your skin making it less likely to become inflamed or irritated.
Using niacinamide on a regular basis can also help you achieve a healthy looking skin because it has anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Niacinamide can help with the reduction in the depth of wrinkles and fine lines. It does this by activating a gene in our skin that produces collagen. It also reduces facial hyper-pigmentation, which is where dark spots appear on the surface of the skin generally caused by sun damage.
7. Treat Dark Spots
Niacinamide also helps to reduce the dark appearance of the skin by reducing melanosome transfer. Melanosomes are organelles that contain a pigment called melanin, which is released into the lower layers of our skin where it creates a tan color.
8. Protect Against Sun Damage
Niacinamide is not an actual sunscreen, but it can protect the skin against sun damage. It does this by reducing the transfer of melanosomes into the lower layers of our skin where they can create dark spots. Niacinamide has been shown to increase levels of glutathione in the body which is needed for cell regeneration. This means that niacinamide helps the skin in many different ways.
9. Reduce Sensitivity
Niacinamide can also reduce sensitivity in the skin which is particularly good for anyone that has very sensitive skin because it will help repair any damage done to the surface of your skin.
It reduces facial hyper-pigmentation, but it also has the added benefit of evening out skin tone. It reduces inflammation, therefore minimizing redness and blotchiness.
10. Effects on Acne
Niacinamide benefits for acne are numerous because it helps kill bacteria that causes acne, reduces inflammation and redness all while not drying out your skin as many other treatments can.
11. Anti-aging Benefits
Niacinamide can be used to fight premature aging which is particularly good for those who are still young but want to prevent any early signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. It does this by activating the production of collagen in our bodies, which is what keeps us looking young. Because it reduces hyperpigmentation, it can also help brighten your skin tone.
Niacinamide is particularly good for those who are concerned about the effects of aging on their skin because this ingredient can help fight them before they become permanent damage.
12. Minimize the Appearance of Pores
Niacinamide can help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, which makes it a good ingredient for those who have skin that is oily. Enlarged pores are often caused by clogged pores or excess oil production, but niacinamide works to fix it without drying out your skin. This particular benefit comes from niacinamide’s ability to increase the production of lipids in our bodies.
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