In today's day and age, we regularly witness new trends across various industries. The beauty and wellness industry too has witnessed its fair share of trend. One such trend that we are about to shed some light on, is that of a skin care ingredient. Much like how previously, Hyaluronic acid, activated charcoal and Vitamin C products were all the rage, Niacinamide has become the new skin care favorite. Let's take a look at what is Niacinamide, its benefits and how we can incorporate this wonder ingredient in our beauty regimen.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that is commonly found in a variety of everyday food products. Regular intake of Vitamin B3 in general has a great deal of benefits for the overall bodily health as it's an essential nutrient. Several crucial cellular reactions require Vitamin B3 for their completion. Niacinamide benefits though all encompassing, are generally more prominently apparent on the skin. Much like how most other bodily cells absorb Vitamin B3 to boost their cellular activity, this form of vitamin B3, I.e., Niacinamide helps our skin cells catalyze their healing activity. Ever since the Niacinamide trend has caught up, it has found its way into, serums, creams and toners. Let's understand how we can benefit from these:
Benefits of Niacinamide
Owing to the ability of Niacinamide to enhance cellular metabolism, Niacinamide benefits are manifold. Niacinamide plays an important role in keeping your skin healthy. For this reason, it’s a popular ingredient used in the day serums, toners, face creams and other daily care products in skincare industry. Niacinamide has proven to have anti-inflammatory effects when applied topically or taken as a supplement. Let's take a look at some of the most prominent of Niacinamide benefits;
1. Visibly reduces pores size
Niacinamide has the ability to have a visible impact on pore size. High production of sebum in the skin can attract irritants to the skin which can also clog skin pores and make them appear bigger in size. Usage of Niacinamide for pores size reduction is therefore a derivative of its ability to balance out sebum levels within the skin.
2. Treats hyperpigmentation
If skin pigmentation has been an aching skin concern for you, perhaps some niacinamide might come handy there as well. In certain concentrations, this wonder Vitamin is known to restrict the bodily chemicals that are responsible for causing increased production of melanin in the skin, that shows up in the form of hyperpigmentation of the skin. Regular use of Niacinamide for dark spots correction can reduce hyperpigmentation, improve skin clarity, and even out skin tone.
3. Protection against Acne
“Is Niacinamide helpful for acne?” This is perhaps the most often asked questions ever since niacinamide has come in vogue. Acne outbreaks and scars are both one of the most common of skin care concerns that haunt a majority of us. Niacinamides properties of regulating skin oil, soothing inflammation and enhancing the lipid barrier building function of the skin work together to not just protect skin against new acne breakouts but also lighten scars. Continued niacinamide use for acne can even help with severe form of acne and improve overall skin health.
4. Sebum control
Sebum is the oily fluid that our skin produces. Its primary function is to protect the skin against external agents but an imbalance in sebum production can have harmful impact on the skin, acne being one of the most common symptoms. Niacinamide can help balance oil and sebum production to decrease breakouts.
5. Seals moisture
When used along with some other hydrating cosmetic ingredients, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide enhances the overall moisturizing ability of the other moisturizing ingredients as well. Additionally, it helps building lipid barrier over the skin by enhancing ceramide production a natural fat present in the skin, thereby sealing in moisture and blocking out other external irritants. This lipid barrier strengthening function of Niacinamide is at the core of its hydrating abilities.
6. Anti-inflammatory
Niacinamide reduces inflammation, which can help ease excessive flushing of the skin which may be caused by several skin ailments like eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It can soothe the skin and limit any irritation that can be caused by the stronger exfoliants like AHAs, thereby toning down the potential side effects of other cosmetic ingredients as well.
7. Builds skin health
Niacinamide helps in increasing the production of keratin. Keratin is a type of protein that fights aging by keeping your skin firm and healthy. Niacinamide also has the ability to boost collagen production in the skin that can further improve your skin health.
8. Sun exposure reversal
Niacinamide has the ability to undertake the twin task of retrieving skin health by increasing the production of skin cells while also protecting them against prolonged sun exposure and its damaging ultraviolet rays. Usage of Niacinamide for dark spots caused by sun exposure is therefore often recommended by most skin care products.
9. Anti-aging properties
Niacinamide has the ability to reverse signs of premature aging by targeting fine lines and wrinkles. Regular usage of niacinamide benefits the skin by making the skin supple and more firm making it appear a lot younger as well.
10. Improves hair health
Niacinamide benefits don't just end at skin care. It plays a crucial role in helping hair grow longer and strengthening them owing to its ability to boost circulation. Niacinamide enhances the hair quality and volume, by working to improve overall follicle health. Its ability to increase Keratin production also helps improve hair texture by reversing the damage caused by hair treatment, coloring and regular usage of heating equipment's.
Niacinamide: Side Effects
Niacinamide has over several trials been proved to be mostly safe for usage by all adults, provided taken within regular dosage. But few occasional minor side effects that may be observed on usage of Niacinamide are:
- Stomach discomfort
- Minor headache
- Nausea
- Liver problems in case taken in extremely large dosages over a prolonged period
- Flushing
It must be noted though, that observing any of these side effects is in fact rare and Niacinamide is a fairly harmless in both its topical as well as consumable forms.
How to use Niacinamide
Perhaps the simplest way of letting your body get the benefits of Niacinamide is by consuming foods rich in the essential nutrient. But since we are looking at cosmetic products for topical use that are infused with Niacinamide, there are some suggestions that can be kept in mind;
- Look for products that have Niacinamide concentrations varying between 2-10%. This is the ideal proportion in which all of niacinamide benefits become accessible to the skin with 10% Niacinamide with 1% Zinc being one of the most effective and commonly available formulation.
- In case of using a niacinamide serum, properly cleanse and tone your skin before you dab a couple drops of Niacinamide onto your skin to ensure deep absorption.
- In case of Niacinamide toners, pat dry your skin once you are done cleansing and spritz a couple sprays of the toner onto your face and let the skin absorb in the goodness.
- Niacinamide serums are generally water based and must be used before applying skin oils and creams.
- Avoid using Vitamin C and Niacinamide products at the same time as they tend to counteract thereby reducing each other's benefits.
- Apply regularly for best results.
TAC’s Niacinamide products
1.Triphala & Yashtimadhu with 10% Niacinamide Face Toner
If you are looking for a gentle skin toner to help reduce acne breakouts & spots you can invest in TAC’s toner. This Niacinamide, Triphala & Yashtimadhu Face Toner is a mighty blend of Scientific formulations and Ayurvedic ingredients. This toner balances excessive sebum secretion that is one of the prime causes of acne, soothes skin inflammation in effect calming skin redness & opens clogged pores. With regular use, Niacinamide toner benefits the skin by making it visibly tight & supple and reduces fine lines & wrinkles.
2.Triphala & Yashtimadhu with 10% Niacinamide Face Serum
Eliminate dark spots, blemishes & other skin ailments with Triphala, Yashtimadhu and Niacinamide Serum that nourishes, hydrates your skin and seals in that moisture to makes the skin firm and protected. The serum has been infused with Witch Hazel & Aloe Vera extracts that help soothe your skin while the 10% Niacinamide protects the skin against increased melanin production in the skin owing to prolonged sun exposure and helps get rid of dark spots & blemishes. Regular use of Niacinamide serum benefits the skin by balancing out the sebum production, regulating skin pH and imparting spot-free & clear skin.
This hydrating face serum has the ability to make the pores appear visibly smaller giving the skin a smoother, more polished look. Triphala infused within the serum helps create a luminous appearance. This serum is Skin-friendly, Chemical-free & without any Paraben and Minerals. The ingredients are neither derived from nor tested on animals and it can be used on all skin types.
