While trendy skincare ingredients may come and go, there are always a few classics that manage to hold on to the spotlight, and niacinamide is one of them. A skin-loving form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is revered for its wide range of benefits.
However, when it comes to skin aging, is niacinamide worth using? Stick with us as we take a closer look at the clinically proven effects of using a niacinamide serum or anti-aging cream. We’ll also explain how to add this ingredient into your skincare routine for the best results.
Contents
- Nicotinamide vs Niacinamide: Is Niacinamide the Same as Nicotinamide? What about Topical Niacin?
- What is Nicotinamide Used for in Skin Care & What Does Niacinamide Help With? A Closer Look at Benefits That Vitamin B3 Offers for Mature Skin
- Does Niacinamide Lighten Skin? Here’s What It Does to Dark Spots & Hyperpigmentation
- Does Niacinamide Help With Wrinkles? Here’s How It Improves Skin Structure & Texture
- Does Niacinamide Help With Pores? Here’s How It Affects Skin Elasticity
- Does Niacinamide Play a Role in Skin Barrier Function?
- Does Niacinamide Protect Against Skin Cancer?
- Side Effects: Does Niacinamide Cause Dry Skin and Does Niacinamide Cause Flushing? Can Niacinamide Cause Acne & is Niacinamide Good for Sensitive Skin?
- Adding Niacinamide to Your Routine: What Percentage of Niacinamide is Effective in a Facial Serum? Are Oral Pills Better Than Topical Treatments?
- FAQ
- Can niacinamide make you look younger?
- Does niacinamide increase collagen?
- Is niacinamide or retinol better for anti-aging?
- Is The Ordinary Niaciamide good for wrinkles?
- What does niacin do for skin?
- What do niacinamide and zinc do for skin?
- What’s a good The Ordinary regimen for over 60?
- What is the best skin care routine for 50 year-old woman?
- Conclusion: Should You Be Adding Niacinamide to Your Anti-Aging Routine?
Nicotinamide vs Niacinamide: Is Niacinamide the Same as Nicotinamide? What about Topical Niacin?
Before we begin, let’s get one thing straight – niacinamide and nicotinamide are exactly the same thing. Both refer to the same form of vitamin B3.
However, niacin is different. Again, this is also a type of vitamin B3, but its chemical structure differs from that of niacinamide/nicotinamide. Generally, niacinamide is better received by the body, including skin cells, which is why this is the form used in skincare.
What is Nicotinamide Used for in Skin Care & What Does Niacinamide Help With? A Closer Look at Benefits That Vitamin B3 Offers for Mature Skin
So, how exactly does niacinamide help the skin? Let’s find out…
Does Niacinamide Lighten Skin? Here’s What It Does to Dark Spots & Hyperpigmentation
When it comes to lightening all types of hyperpigmentation, niacinamide is a superstar. It inhibits excess melanin production [R], enabling the skin to revert back to its lighter and brighter state. Even better, it takes just four weeks of regular use to start seeing improvements in dark spots.
Does Niacinamide Help With Wrinkles? Here’s How It Improves Skin Structure & Texture
There’s no doubt about it – niacinamide is, hands down, one of the best anti-aging ingredients available. While it does take about 12 weeks for the ingredient to work its magic, it’s able to help with both fine lines and deeper wrinkles, as well as general skin radiance [R]. This is all down to how niacinamide effectively boosts collagen production while protecting the existing protein fibers in the skin.
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Does Niacinamide Help With Pores? Here’s How It Affects Skin Elasticity
Research has found that niacinamide is able to have an effect on both pore count as well as pore size [R]. It does this in two ways; by regulating sebum production, which prevents oil from expanding your pore openings, and by improving elasticity, which gives your pores a tightness that allows them to bounce back.
Does Niacinamide Play a Role in Skin Barrier Function?
Niacinamide is fantastic for restoring the skin barrier, which is why it’s so well tolerated by all skin types. It increases the number of ceramides and fatty acids in the skin’s barrier, which then has the effect of reducing transepidermal water loss. The result is a thicker and stronger barrier that’s better able to protect the skin from environmental damage.
Does Niacinamide Protect Against Skin Cancer?
With numerous studies showing that niacinamide is able to help block UV-induced skin damage, it’s a good ingredient to use if you want to keep skin cancer at bay. Doctors often recommend it to patients that are at a high risk of developing skin cancer.
Side Effects: Does Niacinamide Cause Dry Skin and Does Niacinamide Cause Flushing? Can Niacinamide Cause Acne & is Niacinamide Good for Sensitive Skin?
Ok, it’s now time to address any niacinamide concerns that you may have.
Firstly, you don’t need to worry about the ingredient causing dry skin, so long as you’re not using it at an excessively high concentration (more on that next!). The same applies to flushing and acne – these are only concerns if you’re using an overly potent product.
When it comes to sensitive skin, niacinamide is incredibly soothing. As mentioned, it supports the skin barrier, which is exactly what sensitive skin needs!
Adding Niacinamide to Your Routine: What Percentage of Niacinamide is Effective in a Facial Serum? Are Oral Pills Better Than Topical Treatments?
Niacinamide has been proven effective at concentrations of around 4-5%. This is the recommended amount to start with if you’ve never used niacinamide before.
There are plenty of products out there with a higher concentration, but keep in mind that you run the risk of experiencing the above side effects with anything more than 10% niacinamide.
Should you also be taking niacinamide supplements? Not necessarily. While these are beneficial for protecting against skin cancer, topical niacinamide is what will enable you to maximize on the ingredient’s anti-aging effects.
FAQ
Can niacinamide make you look younger?
Yes, the regular use of niacinamide can make you look younger.
Does niacinamide increase collagen?
Yes, niacinamide helps to increase collagen synthesis in the skin.
Is niacinamide or retinol better for anti-aging?
Both ingredients are beneficial. Retinol is stronger and works quickly, but it comes with side effects, whereas niacinamide is gentler but needs a little more time to take effect.
Is The Ordinary Niaciamide good for wrinkles?
Yes, The Ordinary Niacinamide is a great product to use on wrinkles.
What does niacin do for skin?
Niacin has similar effects to niacinamide, but in a much milder form because the skin isn’t quite as receptive to it.
What do niacinamide and zinc do for skin?
When used together, niacinamide and zinc are great for replenishing and protecting the skin’s barrier while regulating sebum production.
What’s a good The Ordinary regimen for over 60?
Start with one of the brand’s cleansers, and then apply The Ordinary Niacinamide. Finish up with a moisturizer designed for your skin type.
What is the best skin care routine for 50 year-old woman?
The best skin care routine for a 50 year-old woman would begin with a gentle cleanser, followed by a hydrating toner. Then, a vitamin C serum should be applied, as well as one containing a retinoid. Finish up with a good wrinkle cream.
Conclusion: Should You Be Adding Niacinamide to Your Anti-Aging Routine?
Now that you’ve read about the proven benefits that niacinamide brings to the skin, it goes without saying that this is an ingredient that definitely has its place in an anti-aging routine. Not only will it help with fine lines and wrinkles, but it’ll also reduce pore size, improve elasticity, and leave your skin radiant – it’s easy to see why this ingredient has become a mainstay in skincare industry.
