Niacinamide is an essential nutrient that plays a role in the maintenance of normal cell count, tissue moisture retention, and overall skin health. But, did you know that your body can make its own niacinamide? That’s right! Considering that your modern diets are filled with processed foods and sugar-sweetened drinks, it’s not long ago that niacinamide was almost unheard of.
But over the last few years, niacinamide has begun to take hold as an effective ingredient in skincare products. And while it may seem like there’s nothing new to learn about this potent antioxidant, you should definitely check out some things to consider before taking niacinamide for skin.
Are Niacinamide Benefits Worth The Risk?
First things first, your skin should be able to thank niacinamide for its immense benefits. As the “fourth” essential nutrient, niacinamide can have a significant impact on your skin’s health, particularly when you’re dealing with skin production.
When your skin doesn’t have the necessary amount of this essential nutrient in your diet, it can’t produce its own tretinoin which can be crucial for preventing wrinkles and skin thickness. Additionally, due to its high antioxidant content, niacinamide can protect your skin from UV rays and fight acne.
Is Niacinamide Safe To Use In Your Skin Care Routine?
Using niacinamide is safe because it is a powerful anti-aging and antioxidant. And due to its potent antioxidant properties, it’s very safe to use as a moisturizer or toner for the face. In fact, one study found that even a single drop of niacinamide on the skin can prevent the development of new blood vessels, the most common cause of aging in the body.
Is Niacinamide Effective For Treating Acne?
Acne is a common condition triggered by overproduction of sebum (wet skin) and under-production of sebum-containing oils in the skin. While there are medications available that can treat acne, most of them have a 30-50% failure rate due to side effects, such as increased acne-facial acne.
As a topical acne treatment, niacinamide has almost no risk whatsoever. Unlike over-the-counter medications, there are actually no side effects associated with niacinamide. The only downside to this effective acne treatment is the discomfort caused by acne-related exfoliation. While it’s worthwhile to avoid damaging your skin more than necessary, it’s better to do so after cleansings and exfoliations.
Should You Take Niacinamide For Your Skin?
Yes! While it’s certainly possible to avoid being overly oily during the day, it’s also important to take care of your skin. That’s why it’s good to always wear loose, comfortable clothing when you’re out in the sun. While it’s actually less damaging to your skin when you don’t put on foundation or makeup, you should definitely use sunscreen when you’re out in the sun.
When you’re also taking in some of the benefits of niacinamide, it’s definitely worth it to put on your favorite makeup products that enable the effects of niacinamide as well. These products have an almost no UV rays content, making them great for soothing and absorbing the oiliness that often comes with oily skin!