Niacinamide. If it sounds familiar, that’s probably because it’s been buzzy in the skin care world forever. A form of Vitamin B3, niacinamide is a nutrient that is required by the body to maintain healthy cells and helps turn the foods you eat into energy. But beyond its effects on your body from the inside, niacinamide has major benefits for your skin too. Read on to learn more about the ways this vitamin can help your skin care and whether it’s right for you. 

What Is Niacinamide?

In the context of skin care, niacinamide is a topical version of Vitamin B3. Used as an active ingredient in many products, this water-soluble vitamin has a number of functions: It helps lock in hydration, minimizes large pores, improves the look of uneven skin tone, softens the appearance of fine lines, brightens skin, regulates oil production, strengthens a weak barrier and boosts cell-building proteins in the skin. In other words, it’s the multitasking jack-of-all-trades of the skin care world. 

Thanks to the wide variety of benefits it offers your skin, niacinamide is a perfect complement to just about any skin care routine. Besides the extensive list mentioned above, it is also helpful in boosting collagen production, plus the gentle anti-inflammatory nature of the niacinamide can potentially decrease the risk of irritation from other active ingredients you may be using, including conventional retinol and AHAs like glycolic acid. 

What Does It Do For Your Skin? 

Some ingredients are true skin care powerhouses and niacinamide is definitely on that list. Let’s explore it in more detail and see how adding this skin care superstar to your routine can help with your specific skin concerns. 

Boosts Hydration 

Niacinamide helps renew and restore skin’s surface against moisture loss and dehydration. 

When key fatty acids in the skin’s barrier gradually deplete, skin is left vulnerable to all sorts of problems, from dryness and flakiness to extra sensitivity. Niacinamide does an effective job of balancing the skin’s natural lipids to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Applying niacinamide has been shown to boost the hydrating ability of other moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, so the skin’s surface can better resist the moisture loss that leads to dryness and flaky texture. While it locks in moisture, it can simultaneously help keep pollutants out, making the skin both more hydrated and less sensitive. 

Supports The Skin Moisture Barrier

Niacinamide helps bolster the skin barrier by increasing the amount of key lipids, called ceramides, in the skin’s outer layer. Ceramides improve moisture retention to help keep skin cells hydrated and plump, and better barrier function means less irritation from outside factors. This is why people with dry skin may benefit from regular topical application of niacinamide. Research shows that niacinamide may help the skin form a lipid barrier which can aid in moisture retention. 

Evens Out And Brightens The Look Of Skin Tone

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Anar Mikailov says: “Niacinamide brightens your skin by inhibiting melanosome transfer. In some studies, it’s been shown to be only slightly less effective at skin brightening when compared to hydroquinone …. Niacinamide is much less irritating and more tolerable to most skin types as well.”

Excess melanin (skin pigment) can show up on the skin’s surface (stemming from sun exposure, pregnancy and aging, among other things), creating unwanted dark spots. Not only does niacinamide help inhibit the appearance of new discolorations, it can also lighten the look of existing ones. And because it plays so well with different ingredients, it can be used with other discoloration-reducing products, including all forms of Vitamin C, licorice root, conventional retinol and bakuchiol.

Minimizes The Appearance Of Pores

Niacinamide may minimize the appearance of pores by helping keep your skin smooth and clear. It may also help regulate the amount of oil your glands produce, which can prevent breakouts and clogged pores. 

Refines The Appearance Of Texture And Fine Lines

Niacinamide also reduces the impact of environmental damage because of its ability to improve the skin’s barrier (its first line of defense). It also plays a role in helping skin to repair signs of past damage. Ignoring this type of daily damage can make skin appear older, dull and less radiant.

How To Incorporate Niacinamide Into Your Skin Care Routine

Niacinamide can be used twice daily on cleansed and moisturized skin. It can also be mixed with a serum and applied to the face and neck, because it pairs well with so many other ingredients. In many cases, niacinamide can actually amp up the benefits of other skin care ingredients, including antioxidants like Vitamin C, glycolic acids, conventional retinol or bakuchiol.

We created the new Bakuchiol + Niacinamide Collection with the versatility and benefits of niacinamide in mind. Featuring two products, the Bakuchiol + Niacinamide Moisturizer and the Radiant Protection SPF Fluid, this collection hydrates, minimizes pores and targets uneven texture to maintain luminous skin. To find out more about how to incorporate bakuchiol and niacinamide into your routine, visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner.