A Guide to Niacinamide

Reducing pore size, improving fine lines and wrinkles, and providing anti-inflammatory benefits to help with acne are just a few of the benefits of Niacinamide. Let's hear from a professional esthetician and the benefits of Niacinamide and how to incorporate it into your routine...

Niacinamide is quickly gaining a positive reputation for itself. It is a powerful ingredient for a variety of different skin concerns and conditions. Recently, I have had many questions from clients within my aesthetics practice concerning Niacinamide as a potential ingredient for their regimen. As a practicing licensed esthetician, I want to share why it is such a great ingredient for many skin concerns, how to use it in overall skincare, and what it can do for your skin.

What Is Niacinamide?

First of all, what is Niacinamide? Other than a word posing immense difficulty to pronounce, Niacinamide is actually Vitamin B3, like Nicotinamide or Niacin, but it is slightly different. Vitamin B3 plays an important role in the overall health of our body and skin. It converts the food we eat into usable energy to sustain us. It is produced naturally within our bodies through the conversion of tryptophan, but we must also consume it within our diet daily to obtain the necessary amount. Just as Niacinamide is so essential in our body health, it can also make such a difference in both the wellness and appearance of our skin.

Benefits of Niacinamide

Niacinamide works with natural substances in our stratum corneum (outermost layer of our skin), to support our epidermal barrier function. The epidermal barrier function is our skin's natural barrier that keeps the skin healthy and balanced. It does this by aiding in the synthesis of ceramides, keratin, and other structural proteins within our skin. Ceramides are one of the main components of our skin’s barrier function. It protects our skin from dermatitis, irritation, and trans-epidermal water-loss; allowing our skin to hold onto its necessary moisture. Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory which makes it a wonderful ingredient for inflamed skin conditions where the skin’s barrier is compromised and most likely showing this through erythema or redness. This makes niacinamide an excellent choice for sensitive skin and for cases of rosacea.

If you aren’t intrigued yet, just wait. Niacinamide can actually improve the appearance of large pores. Many products on the market claim to do so and do not deliver. Since Niacinamide helps in the structural building of your skin; it has the capability to return enlarged pores back to their original size. Those pores are then less likely to collect debris that will lead to clogged pores and acne. An added bonus is of course a smoother look to your skin! It also has a Sebo-suppressive property, meaning it can help regulate excess oil production, leading to more balanced skin, which in turn can help prevent acne as well.

Supporting the creation of the structural foundation and keratin within your skin also means that niacinamide is highly effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It is important to note that anytime I say that, I of course mean over time, and with consistent and diligent use! Since it helps your skin prevent water loss it’s also hydrating, this is another way it helps to improve both the look and feel of your skin. Niacinamide also interferes with melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes, this means it can treat and even prevent pigment issues such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and sun damage. Results are dose-dependent, meaning you want to make sure the product has at least a 10% concentration of the ingredient.

Note: I want to mention that you may hear that you shouldn’t use your Niacinamide with your Vitamin C serum, as it can cause irritation. This was determined by outdated and inconclusive research and recent research has shown that it is totally safe and even beneficial to use the two ingredients (Vitamin C + Niacinamide) in the same routine. 

Niacinamide might just be that ingredient that you have been looking for. Consult with a Pomp Esthetician to learn about the Niacinamide products we carry and which one is right for your skin type!