Niacinamide: A Beginner's Guide

 

A beginner's guide to niacinamide

As adults, there are a few things that we come across on a regular basis that are pretty nerve-wracking to read – “we need to talk” texts, calendar alerts about forgotten deadlines, and the ingredient label on your beauty products. From Beta-Hydroxy Acids to Retinoids, coming across these names is sure to make you feel like you’re giving a chemistry test that is the product of your worst nightmare.

Well, worry no more, because we are here to ease your anxieties and aid you on your journey to becoming the messiah on all things skincare, and the best place to start is Niacinamide, with the help of a few basic questions:

The What

Of course, the best place to start would be to get a basic lowdown on what niacinamide is. Commonly also known as Vitamin B3 or Nicotinamide (no, it has nothing to do with nicotine. Yes, we’re sure), niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that is best known for its soothing and healing properties. Put simply, this ingredient is considered the all-round, holy grail of skin care products, and we’ll tell you why right now.

 

The Why

If we could use just one phrase to describe this ingredient, it would have to be: a jack-of-all-trades. Seriously, you name the issue, and niacinamide can most definitely solve it. Primarily, it helps to strengthen the barrier of our skin, which subsequently aids in solving issues such as hyperpigmentation, dehydration, and fine lines. Niacinamide is also anti-inflammatory, which helps in unclogging pores and minimizing blemishes to give your skin the radiant, glow-y look it deserves. For this very reason, niacinamide is considered perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin (and every lady with sensitive skin knows the struggle of finding skincare products with the right ingredients). Add to this the fact that niacinamide dissolves better in water, and it becomes a key ingredient in lightweight products.

The Where

Since it is a form of Vitamin B3, niacinamide can be consumed through foods like meat, eggs, milk and vegetables, or it can be easily absorbed through the skin. Due to its versatility, niacinamide can be found in almost every type of skincare product. From your serum to your hand creams, almost every product contains niacinamide as a key element in their formula. It is especially very important as an ingredient in products targeting oily skin and acne-reduction, due to its oil reduction power. It is also gentle enough to be used in under-eye creams, to target issues such as dark circles, without being too harsh on such a sensitive part of your skin.

Here are some skin-friendly plums that contain this all-rounder:

Vienna Coffee Hand cream

Vienna Coffee

E-Luminence "The Bright Mix’’ Face Serum

Niacinamide: A Beginner's Guide

Chamomile & White Tea Sheer Matte Day Cream SPF 50

Chamomile & White Tea Sheer Matte Day Cream SPF 50 | PA+++

It is always important to know what is used in creating the products that are meant to help your skin feel its best, and there is no better way to do that than to understand ‘what’s inside’ of a product in detail.

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