INGREDIENT SPOTLIGHT: NIACINAMIDE
Niacinamide is hard to say five times fast but is fast becoming one of the most beneficial ingredients in modern skincare. Niacinamide is found in the Vitamin B family and is a form of Vitamin B3 and nicotonic acid. It's also used as a dietary supplement and medication, but since we’re talking skin— it’s often used to treat acne and has anti-inflammatory properties.
In recent years there has been a good deal of research on Niacinamide with compelling findings. There is tentative evidence it treats acne, rosacea, psoriasis, ageing skin, autoimmune blistering disorders, and atopic dermatitis. Amazingly in a trial it reduced the rate of nonmelanoma skin cancers in a group of people at high risk for the condition. However you don’t have to treat a condition to benefit from this ingredient.
The benefits of niacinamide are numerous and myriad. If you suffer from irritation, redness, and blotchiness, niacinamide calms and soothes your skin. It’s terrific at protecting your skin‘s lipid barrier which makes it great for anti-aging by preventing bacteria and holding in moisture, resulting in brighter plumper skin. Niacinamide also works well along with other skincare ingredients like retinols, antioxidants, AHA’s, and pairs well with hyaluronic acid, so it’s easy to incorporate to almost any skincare routine without the concern of adverse reactions.
While fast becoming one of best ingredients in your skin routine, niacinamide takes its sweet time. It often takes several weeks of daily application to see results. One of the best ways to incorporate niacinamide into your routine is via a daily serum or cream and supplemental face masks. Patience pays off in this case as niacinamide soothes inflammation and hyperpigmentation, smooths skin texture, minimizes lines and wrinkles, and restores healthy balance.
