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If there is one ingredient approved by celebrities, experts, and consumers alike, it is niacinamide.
As science-backed skincare comes to be placed at the forefront for its better results and benefits, niacinamide benefits for the skin are becoming more well-known. This powerhouse ingredient is a must-have for anyone looking for healthier, glowing skin.
So if you are curious about niacinamide uses and how it can transform your skincare routine, read along to learn why niacinamide deserves a spot in your daily regimen right now.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, or nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3, a water-soluble vitamin that helps maintain healthy skin.
It is found naturally in foods like green vegetables and cereals but is often insufficient for your skin’s health. Therefore, experts recommend its topical application for maximum benefit.
Benefits of niacinamide for skin
1. Brightens the skin:
Another significant skin benefit of niacinamide is its brightening effect.
Consistent use evens your skin tone and improves skin texture, resulting in a more radiant and glowing appearance.
2. Reduces blemishes:
One of the primary skin benefits of niacinamide is its powerful ability to reduce blemishes.
It helps diminish the appearance of acne scars and blemishes, leading to a clearer and more even complexion over time.
3. Reduces inflammation:
Niacinamide is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent choice for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It helps soothe redness, reduce the severity of acne breakouts, and calm other inflammatory conditions such as rosacea.
4. Minimizes pore appearance:
Enlarged pores often attract dust and impurities, causing clogged pores and blackheads. Niacinamide helps regulate sebum production, leading to less oily skin and smaller-looking pores. This improves the skin’s texture and helps prevent future breakouts.
5. Boosts hydration:
Niacinamide enhances the skin's natural ability to retain moisture, making it an excellent hydrating agent. This is particularly beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin. By improving the skin’s moisture retention, niacinamide helps to keep the skin plump and supple.
6. Enhances skin elasticity:
As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, leading to sagging and wrinkles. Niacinamide has been shown to stimulate collagen production, which helps improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
7. Improves skin texture:
Niacinamide hydrates your skin, improving skin elasticity. It also helps smoothen your skin while improving skin texture and brightening your complexion.
How to ensure optimal niacinamide uses for skin
Niacinamide is a mild and versatile ingredient that can be used in the following ways.
In skincare routine
Incorporate niacinamide products into your skincare routine for maximum benefits. The best and fastest way to get the benefits of niacinamide for the skin is through the serum.
Serums have a higher concentration of actives that help them penetrate deeper and give faster results.
However, before making niacinamide serum your skincare habit, be sure to read about its dos and don’ts here.
If you are not a serum person and want to start slow, you can opt for products with niacinamide as their primary ingredient.
You can look for niacinamide-infused moisturizer, toner, sunscreen or face wash to ensure this versatile ingredient is benefiting your skin in some way or the other.
Treating skin concerns
The uses of niacinamide are many. While it can be incorporated into your daily skincare routine for healthy, brighter skin, it can be easily paired with other actives to target skin concerns.
The biggest Niacinamide benefit is its suitability for all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone skin. Being a mild and gentle all-rounder ingredient, it is the ideal ingredient for those who might find other actives too harsh.
You can pair it with hyaluronic acid for hydration, vitamin C (lower concentrations only) for hyperpigmentation, and so on.
However, ensure to do a patch test before layering your serums and products with active ingredients to avoid any adverse effects.
How to use niacinamide products
- Start with a gentle face wash to thoroughly cleanse your skin. You can opt for Plum niacinamide face wash for a refreshing feel. Pat dry
- Spritz a few drops of Plum niacinamide & rice water toner on your face and pat it in until fully absorbed
- Dispense two to three drops of Plum 10% niacinamide serum (beginners can opt for Plum 5% niacinamide serum) on your face and pat it in.
- Moisturize your skin with niacinamide & rice water gel cream and massage it in an upward motion
- Protect with niacinamide sunscreen during the day.
You can use niacinamide both in the morning as well as in the night
Niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient that offers a multitude of benefits for the skin, like brightening skin, fading blemishes, reducing inflammation, minimizing pores, and evening out skin tone. Its versatility and efficacy make it a must-have in any skincare routine. Incorporate niacinamide into your daily regimen, to achieve healthier, more radiant skin.
However, ensure that you use it gradually as per your skin’s tolerance and restrict the ingredient concentration to 15-20% in your skincare routine.
FAQs
1. What are the benefits of niacinamide for the skin?
Niacinamide offers multiple benefits, including brightening skin, reducing blemishes, reducing inflammation, minimizing pore appearance, even skin tone, boosting hydration, and enhancing skin elasticity.
2. What does niacinamide do for your skin?
Niacinamide helps regulate oil production, reduce redness and pigmentation, hydrate the skin, and improve its elasticity.
3. Is it good to use niacinamide every day?
Yes, niacinamide is gentle enough for daily use and can provide ongoing benefits with consistent application.
4. Does niacinamide lighten skin?
No, niacinamide does not lighten skin, instead, it helps fade hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone, giving the appearance of a brighter complexion.
5. Does niacinamide remove acne and dark marks?
Yes, niacinamide can control oil production, reducing acne and helping fade dark marks and spots by inhibiting the transfer of pigment within the skin.
6. What is niacinamide used for?
Niacinamide is used to balance sebum production, reduce inflammation, minimize pores, increase skin tone, boost hydration, and enhance skin elasticity.
7. Can niacinamide help with acne and blemishes?
Yes, niacinamide helps balance oil production, preventing acne and fading blemishes and marks.
8. How does niacinamide compare to other skincare ingredients like vitamin C or retinol?
Niacinamide is a milder and gentler skincare active compared to another skincare ingredients like vitamin C and retinol. Moreover, it can be used daily in your morning and night skincare routine for all skin types.
