Why you should be using niacinamide on your skin

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Why you should be using niacinamide on your skin

Much ado has been made about the merits of vitamin C skin care in recent times, and while the fanfare is very much justified, it may be unfairly stealing the limelight from an equally (if not more) capable competitor: niacinamide or vitamin B3.RELATED: This mask-sanitising spray doubles as an anti-acne treatmentRELATED: 8 detoxifying clay masks to draw out deep impurities
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While vitamin C cream and serum, as well as vitamin A cream, rarely stray from a beauty editor’s ‘must-have’ list, niacinamide hasn’t garnered as much traction despite its vast array of brightening and tightening benefits. Until now.Here, we dive deep into the many advantages of including niacinamide in your skin care routine and round up the best products to get you started.

What is niacinamide?

Niacinamide is nothing short of a powerhouse, and particularly important to our body as we cannot produce the vitamin on our own.The vitamin itself is water-soluble, which means that we must either eat it or wear it topically to reap its benefits. Niacinamide also goes by the names “Vitamin B3” and “nicotinamide’, a non-acid form of B3.

What are the benefits of niacinamide on your skin?

Suffer from hyper-pigmentation? Dull skin? Niacinamide is your best friend. Known for its capacity to help repair damaged DNA, improve cellular energy and downgrade the effects of sun-induced UV rays, it is particularly useful for fighting early signs of ageing such as wrinkles and discolouration.”Vitamin B3 helps prevent and treat hyper-pigmentation by slowing down the transportation of melanin to the skin’s surface and it’s also effective in improving the skin’s barrier function to maintain skin hydration,” UK-based clinical facialist Kate Kerr told ELLE UK.But it doesn’t end there, with the vitamin offering similar benefits to that of an antibiotic.”This particular vitamin also has an antibiotic effect, which means it improves skin congestion and acne breakouts, all whilst regulating sebum,” said Kerr.Like vitamin C, studies support its impressive brightening properties, the extent of which come down to the concentration of the vitamin in the product in question. The studies also back its ability to maintain moisture, strengthen the skin barrier and aid in the synthesis of healthy fats—all of which are paramount for healthy, youthful skin.In order to best maximise the vitamin’s many benefits, look for skin care products that also include the likes of silica (a natural anti-inflammatory), zinc (for enhanced blemish reduction), hyaluronic acid (for hydration retention) and fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 (to improve the skin’s natural barrier).Although vitamin B3 and vitamin c may appear to overlap in benefits, vitamin B3 is ideal for those who are specifically seeking skin restoration across pigmentation, dull skin, fine lines and enlarged pores. That being said, in conjunction with vitamin C’s overall brightening properties and free radical protection, the duo become particularly powerful, and will tackle an array of skin concerns across the board.

The best vitamin B3 products to try

Want to treat your skin to niacinamide’s powerful properties? Scroll on to find the best niacinamide products for your skin.


Paula’s Choice Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment

It’s the first-ever skin care product formulated with 20 per cent niacinamide, so this serum packs a punch. Paula’s Choice Clinical 20% Niacinamide Treatment will improve elasticity, enhance barrier function and fade discolouration.
 

Alpha-H Vitamin B Serum

This powerful serum delivers a serious dose of B vitamins alongside complementary ingredients such as copper tripeptides and hyaluronic acid to help bring a more radiant appearance to even the most devitalised skins. 

Read more Alpha-H Vitamin B Serum reviews here…

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream

The anti-ageing moisturiser will visibly plump the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Thanks to Olay’s unique formula in their Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream the combination of vitamin B3 and hyaluronic acid works to keep skin moisturised and protected from oxidative damage. 

Read more Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream reviews here…

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Light-as-water, this absorbant formula from Paula’s Choice is the perfect everyday serum to soothe the skin, fight free-radical damage and promote a more even skin tone overall.

Read more Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster reviews here…

 

Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Treatment

Reduce the appearance of dark spots with Olay’s powerful brightening complex that penetrates the deeper layers of the skin.

Read Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Treatment reviews here…

 

 

 

Vitamin B Serum by The Ordinary

Vitamin B Serum by The Ordinary, $9.90 from Priceline

Vitamin B3 Serum by APOT.CARE

Vitamin B3 Serum by APOT.CARE, $50 from MECCA

Vitamin B3+ Serum by Skin Inc

Vitamin B3+ Serum by Skin Inc, $64 from Sephora

Vitamin B serum by Asap

Vitamin B serum by Asap, $95 from Adore Beauty

Words by Sukriti Wahi Main image credit: @lauren.vandie Do you use niacinamide in your skin care routine?

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Comments 49

  1. Yes, I use it daily. Just because it is there, unsure if it does anything visible. Only 2 things make actual difference that I can see with my own eyes (not placebo) are: high % glycolic and retinol. That is it.

  2. Thank You BH for an Informative Article on Niacinamide showing the benefits of Niacinamide on the Skin.
    I have been using this in my moisturising cream every morning and night.

  3. I don't have pigmentation issues, but I'm ageing & zit-prone, so I've added this article to my favourites.

    It looks like The Ordinary is the way to go, price-wise. Fingers crossed that TO will become listed on Bh one day.

  4. I haven't tried a niacinamide serum yet because I'm stuck in the Vitamin C in the morning and Vitamin A in the evening routine and I want to keep it simple. But once I take a break from either I'll be sure to try it!

  5. Have been using The Ordinary's niacinamide serum for ages & I still enjoy it. I also have a niacinamide serum from Essano that I'm keen to try at some stage. Niacinamide is just about the only vitamin my fussy sensitive skin can tolerate, so I'm glad I can use SOMETHING that's anti-aging at least!

  6. I have used the niacinamide in a moisturiser as well as in The Ordinary serum, and am currently using again in the powder form from The Ordinary (mix it into my moisturiser). I'm hoping the mix in powder has a better effect than the serum, as the serum felt like it didn't do much for me.

  7. I have used Niacinamide for at least 2 years and it has transformed my skin. I use The Ordinary Niacinamide and it is such great value for money. I have acne prone/combo skin and have found it super beneficial I buy it over and over again!

  8. Atm do not use any product with B3 in. Did not notice any difference having it or not in my routine. Do not mind if a product has it in as a side kick, would not go and buy it on its own.

  9. I used a niacinamide serum for 3 months and saw a huge difference in my skin (loved it) however, after I stopped, I noticed that my skin became worse. I had redness and small bumps all over my cheeks and face looked red (this was an absolutely new skin condition for me as I have never experienced something like this in the past). I guess you need to continue using it to see the benefits as they are not permanent

  10. Ive never tried a product with B3, but im really interested in giving Paula Choice ago. It contains 20% ! So im going big to hopefully notice a difference. But ive heard really good things about the ordinary