Niacinamide: The What, Who, Why and How?
You may be well acquainted with niacinamide, or you may have never heard of the life-changing ingredient in skincare. It's best known for being a fantastic multitasker, but do you know how to use it, what the benefits are and who can benefit from niacinamide the most? We're here to give you the down low.
The What - What is niacinamide?
Let us begin by changing your world with niacinamide. Niacinamide is one of two forms of vitamin B3 which has anti-inflammatory benefits by supporting the construction of proteins and providing protection against environmental damage. The other form of vitamin B3 is niacin and although their names are twinning, they're not the same thing.
Niacinamide can be found in many skincare products on the market (we'll get to this later), however, it can also be found in foods, which may make it easier to access for some, including: chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna, and brown rice.
Niacinamide can be found in skincare products, and can also be found naturally in many foods
The Who - Who should use niacinamide?
We're not going to go into too much detail here, but if you, or anyone you know have any concerns mentioned below, make sure you read The Why - it'll tell you everything you need to know.
- Acne sufferers
- Those who have redness of the skin
- Eczema warriors
- Anyone who has sensitive skin
- The ageing-conscious
- People who want to combat hyperpigmentation
- Rosacea sufferers
- Those who tend to have oily skin
Niacinamide is a great product for a multitude of skincare concerns
The Why - Why do you need niacinamide?
Honestly, where do we start? This unsung hero has a plethora of benefits which we absolutely adore. To start with, niacinamide can help combat unwanted redness and hyperpigmentation in your skin. The anti-inflammatory benefits help soothe the skin to target redness and blotches, patchiness, as well as conditions such as rosacea.
It can also support to control oil levels and sebum production in the skin, which can often be the cause of acne if excessive production occurs, and with lower oil levels, you'll experience less unwanted shine in your skin - hurrah!
To add to the never ending list of why you need to invest in niacinamide; it's pretty much a protective mum for your skin. Not only does it strengthen the skin barrier, meaning it's an absolute babe for eczematic and sensitive skin, but it's a fantastic brightening ingredient too. The result? Dreamy, glowy skin.
No, we're not finished. As if that wasn't enough, studies have shown that niacinamide can also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and photoaging by supporting to repair DNA damage. Honestly, is there anything niacinamide can't do?
The How - How do you use niacinamide?
So, you think you can benefit from niacinamide - the saving grace taking the skincare market by storm. But how do you use it?
Niacinamide is a strong active ingredient, but don't let that put you off. It can be used twice daily, once in your AM routine and once in your PM routine. It should be applied to clean skin (after your cleansing step), but before moisturising to allow it to get to work deep in your skin.
As a general rule of thumb, niacinamide serums can be layered with most ingredients without causing irritation or compromising safety and protection of your skin. However, we don't recommend layering with vitamin C which is stronger than 15% as together they might be a bit of a toxic duo due to both being active ingredients, causing irritation to your skin. That being said, you can use each ingredient at different points in the day, e.g. niacinamide in the AM and vitamin C in the PM.
If you're concerned about how your skin will react to niacinamide and product combinations, we recommend doing a patch test 24 hours prior to use to ensure no irritation occurs. Please also refer to the product directions on the packaging for further vital information.
For retinol lovers (old and new to be converted) who are worried if they can introduce niacinamide into their skincare routine containing retinol - we have good news. You can! In fact, they are a bit of a dynamic duo and the niacinamide can actually reduce irritation and dryness caused by retinol as it protects your skin barrier. Together, they are also safe and effective for acne-prone skin. Music to your ears or what?
Nuclear Niacinamides
Ready for our niacinamide round-up?
| Product |
Key benefits |
Good for |
How to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medik8's Clarity Peptides | Luminous skin Tackles blemishes Calms and soothes |
All skin types | Gently sweep across face in the AM and PM for healthy skin. |
| Medik8's Advanced Night Eye | Youthful eyes Gets to work in your sleep Can be perfectly paired with vitamin A |
All skin types | Use the spatula to apply in the eye contours after cleaning in the PM. |
| Medik8's Blemish SOS | Fast-acting Redness is calmed Targets appearance of blemishes |
All skin types - ideal for acne |
Use a clean finger to apply after cleansing in the AM or PM, gently dab and allow to dry. |
| Medik8's Balance Moisturiser and Glycolic Acid | Decreases shine Leaves skin soft and supple Gentle exfoliation Ultra hydration |
All skin types - perfect for oily skin | Use the Balance Moisturiser twice a day, after cleansing, all over the face. To kickstart performance and exfoliation, use 4-6 drops of Glycolic Acid 2-3 times a week before applying Balance Moisturiser. |
Niacinamide is getting a lot of attention in the skincare industry at the moment and it's clear to understand why the unbelievably versatile product is so popular. Which niacinamide product are you going to try first, the Advanced Night Eye for youthful eyes, or the Blemish SOS to quickly combat unwanted imperfections? Regardless, you can shop our niacinamide collection here.
