Top Niacinamide Uses for Skin: Achieve a Healthier Complexion

A History of My Skin

Hi! I am Zara Mehr, a beauty blogger and fashion influencer. Today! As I write this blog I would like to share a story of my skin. Long after my 19th birthday I was witnessing some traumatic changes in my skin. The more my skin's exposure grew to the outside world, the more I could feel its growing dullness. The natural glow of my skin was completely lost, I suffered through breakouts every other day, which left stubborn marks on my face. 

An increased pigmentation and blemishes on my skin had given me a compulsive,  repetitive or uncontrolled obsession of constantly checking myself out in the mirror if I looked up to the mark or not. I lost all the confidence I had because of my deteriorating skin and could not push myself to leave my room without positioning everything.

Conscious of my skin issues, I went through endless scrolling of finding the right product that would click to my skin condition. Later, with constant trial and error, I found Niacinamide as the best fit for me. Niacinamide serum was gaining hype as a viral skincare trend on social media and I wanted to know why?

As I go about writing this blog today I will share my research about Niacinamide and my experiences with this incredible vitamin.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B-3 and is different from Niacin, both being two separate types of vitamin B-3. It is found in many foods including meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals and is a necessary vitamin for the function of fats and sugars in the body and to maintain healthy cells. 

Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, could also be a part of some topical anti-aging products, especially serums.

Benefits of Niacinamide for Skin 

Let me list down for you some amazing Niacinamide uses for skin, some of which worked for me…

1. Solution to certain skin diseases / Acne: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to boost the barrier of the skin niacinamide can effectively work on acne causing skin conditions, some of them being acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis. It also reduces the redness and flushing associated with these skin conditions​ and alleviates the dryness and itchiness of skin.

2. Combats dullness : Niacinamide improves an uneven skin tone, reduces the dullness of the skin. Not only does it minimize the impact of environmental damage by improving the skin barrier, it also plays a role in helping the skin repair signs of past damage. Left unchecked, this type of habitual damage makes your skin appear older, gloomy and less radiant overall. Niacinamide accelerates cellular regeneration of the healthy skin cells while also protecting them from UV damage.

3.Treats hyperpigmentation: The brown to grey patches on the skin is identified as Melasma- a common skin problem. A research was conducted in which  4% niacinamide was applied to half of the face and 4% hydroquinone was applied to the other half. In comparison it was concluded that niacinamide reduced melanin and improved pigmentation by 62%, slightly less than hydroquinone but with fewer side effects. These studies suggest that Niacinamide is an effective treatment of hyperpigmentation.

4. Pore treatment : What enlarges the pores is the overproduction of sebum, giving them a larger appearance. The function of niacinamide is to balance this overproduction of oil and hence, reduce the size of the pore.  Several studies back the ability of niacinamide to reduce pores. For instance, a study demonstrated that a 2% niacinamide formulation significantly reduced sebum production, leading to less prominent pores​

5. Anti aging : Not only for young skins but Niacinamide is your key ingredient in anti-aging skincare as well due to its following abilities:

• Works on skin’s texture, fine lines, and wrinkles
• Boosts collagen production
• Hydrates the skin and enhances moisture retention
• Increase the skin’s elasticity

A study demonstrated that a 5% niacinamide formulation significantly reduced the appearance of wrinkles and improved skin elasticity after a usage of 12 weeks.

After a consistent use of Niacinamide in my skincare routine, I was surprised to see how effectively it had started to heal my skin. The frequency of my active acne and breakouts was reduced significantly. I could feel a considerable impact on pigmentation, my complexion evening out and overall the sadness of my skin was elevated . My skin felt radiant  and brighter than before free from the dullness that it was captured by.

Plant Based Alternative to Synthetic Niacinamide 

When I had finally learned about what Niacinamide is and its several uses for skin, the next question that remained to be answered was whether I should use a synthetic niacinamide or plant based  alternative. This question was decisive in my skincare journey as I wanted to ensure  that I was opting for the best suited option for my skin. I wanted to cut down any slightest chance of my skin getting irritated. Read ahead to explore why I preferred a  plant-based niacinamide over synthetic or chemical alternative-

1. The most important reason for choosing a Plant-based niacinamide is because of its naturalness. It is derived from natural sources like green vegetables, nuts, and seeds. This makes it less likely to contain synthetic additives or preservatives that could be harsh on  sensitive skin .

2. Natural ingredients are the skin's best friends. They often have a better biocompatibility with human skin, which means that the body will be more likely to absorb them. They have more effectiveness and less side-effects as compared to chemical- based products. Although synthetic products are quick to show you the results, they will stab your skin in the long run.

3. Natural niacinamide comes with additional nutrients and antioxidants that add an advantage to the skin. For instance, compounds like vitamins A, C, and E can help improve skin texture and hydration.

4. Using natural niacinamide will shield you against any allergic reactions and irritations of the skin as compared to the chemical based formulations which have a foundation of harsh chemicals.

5. The optimistic point about natural products is that they are multifunctional without any side effects, as compared to the synthetic ones that are unifunctional only being able to aid one problem. Plant-based niacinamide aligns with holistic skincare approaches, promoting overall skin health rather than just treating specific issues. This can lead to healthier skin in the long run. 

Plant-Based Sources of Niacinamide 

Here are are some excellent sources naturally induced with the goodness of Niacinamide-

• Papaya

Why does papaya play one of the leading roles in skincare? It has an enzyme called papain that is responsible for skin whitening, reducing unwanted hair, exfoliating dead skin, repairing aging skin etc. which has anti-aging, exfoliating, and healing properties. Because of the gentle exfoliating properties of papain the dead skin cells are removed, resulting in skin brightening and promoting an even skin tone. This enzyme, along with the presence of natural antioxidants in papaya, can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production and maintaining skin elasticity​.

Moreover, papaya is found to have wound-healing properties, where papain plays a significant role in speeding up the skin's healing process by promoting cell turnover. This action helps repair damaged skin, minimizes scarring, and prevents infections in open wounds​.

Free radicals act as a  catalyst in showing the age markers. Since papaya has a high concentration of vitamins A, C and E, It hydrates and nourishes the skin. And acting as a natural antioxidant it fights free radical damage.

• Red Banana 

Yes! We do have bananas that are yellow and others that are red. Red bananas contain a good concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. That includes niacin (vitamin B3), which is crucial to the health of our skin richly stuffed with antioxidants to fight the radicals which leads to oxidative stress, and which minimizes the appearance of fine lines and leaves us glowing young.

The natural sugars in red bananas hydrate and feed the skin and make it glow brighter. Not to mention, they are a good source of vitamin C which is crucial for the production of collagen that rejuvenates the skin texture and enhances its elasticity and firmness​.

• Potato Starch

Not just to make fries out of but potatoes are more than just a culinary ingredient; It contains niacin, which nourishes the skin by creating a healthy barrier function thereby affecting elasticity and preventing dryness.

Potatoes also reduce irritation of the skin and encourage anti-inflammatory properties that calm angry skin. This is a benefit to those with eczema or psoriasis.

The starch can brighten up the skin, bringing an appearance as if it glows. It may be beneficial in combating hyperpigmentation over time.

Potato starch can absorb all oils in the skin, making it a great multiple-purpose remedy for oily or acne-prone skin. It reduces shine and controls sebum too.

Potatoes contain antioxidants including phenolic compounds that may protect the skin from free radicals, thus reducing marks of aging.

The starch can also be a natural skin-tightening agent. This improves the condition of the skin by giving it a firmer appearance through lifting sagging parts​.

• Sunflower Seeds

Their richest component is niacin, which in the body is transformed into niacinamide. It helps improve the skin's texture and hydration.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that fights against oxidative stress within the skin through free radicals, and the sunflower seeds are a rich source of vitamin E. This is used for diminishing signs of aging and skin damage​.

Sunflower seeds contain healthy fats that help retain skin moisture, and that is a must to keep the skin plum and not allow dehydration to take control. They have anti-inflammatory properties that help to cool down the irritated skin and reduce redness. Their use can be helpful in treating conditions like acne and eczema ​

• Avocados

Avocados are an excellent source of niacin or vitamin B3, which the human body converts into niacinamide. They contain a lot of healthy fats, vitamins, and antioxidants-an incredibly important nutrient that supports many bodily functions, including skin health. With each bite of avocados, your body may convert food into niacinamide that improves the texture of the skin, decreases inflammation, and provides the skin with a better barrier function.

Avocados don't contain niacinamide directly, the niacin in them plays a crucial role in the body's ability to generate this beneficial compound.

Pick a Suitable Niacinamide Format for your Skincare Routine 

A towering heap of skincare products could be mind boggling! The big deal is to pick that one product to settle on. But the question that naturally arises is in which format should that product be used. I have summarized that for you, now pick as per your convenience to explore the various niacinamide uses for skin:

Niacinamide, is available in various skin care product formats to suit different skin concerns and preferences. Some common formats being :

• Serums:

The most popularly cliche of Niacinamide are serums, offering a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula. A 5%–10% niacinamide serum formulation is ideal for targeting hyperpigmentation, redness, and acne.

• Creams and Moisturizers:

A combination of niacinamide with any other moisturizing agent like ceramides or hyaluronic acid will help retain the moisture of the skin product for this type. This is best for hydrating, soothing, and healing it while improving the skin's texture and tone. Suitable for dry skin type!

• Toners:

Toning is great for balancing the pH of the skin. They rid the skin of accumulated dirt, oil, and makeup, making your skin more receptive to the absorption of serums and moisturizers. Niacinamide toners help prepare the skin for what is to come by regulating oil production and distributing pores. Most of these toners are thinner and even more liquid.

• Face Masks:

Face masks are used for rapid results. Niacinamide-rich sheet masks or clay masks provide an all-embracing treatment, delivering high doses of niacinamide in a short time, ideal for reducing inflammation and brightening.

• Cleansers:

People who are more likely to have acne will find using cleansers a lot. Some face wash cleansers include niacinamide, which is used to calm down the skin when it is being washed. These products may be recommended for sensitive or acne-prone skin types.

• Sunscreens:

Since niacinamide effectively resolves the problem of damage caused by UV rays, it is added to sunscreens too,  as it contains anti-inflammatory properties.

• Spot Treatments:

Spot treatments are high concentrated formulations, they need to be combined with other active ingredients like salicylic acid so that they can work on post-acne scars, blemishes, pigmentation or redness. 

• Powder:

It's a unique version of Niacinamide- the powdered form. When in form Niacinamide can be mixed with several other skincare products just like your moisturizers and serums. Some people might prefer this form because they don't want an application of too many greasy or fluid- based products on their skins.

Coffee Ubtan Powder for Tan Removal & Natural Exfoliation. It offers a natural and preservative-free solution to multiple skin problems. This versatile 3-in-1 solution acts as a dry cleanser, scrub, and pack, it helps to remove dirt and dead skin cells and promote overall skin health.

These various formats provide flexible options for the consumers to incorporate niacinamide into their skincare routines according to their needs, preferences and skin type.

Parting Note

There is no doubt that my skin’s journey was indeed a struggle, full of insecurities and the fear of not being good enough!  There were times when I was hiding myself from the outside world because the world functions on high beauty parameters which an average body fails to meet. But, this perspective did not last long, as I learned to be confident and take pride in my own skin’s beauty. 

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

Niacinamide Under Eye Serum for Dark Circles (17 herbs, 30ml)

Related Articles:

Top Niacinamide Uses for Skin: Achieve a Healthier Complexion

What happens when you use Chemical Niacinamide Serum for a long time?

References:

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1534/niacinamide

https://www.vogue.com/article/niacinamide#:~:text=The%20soothing%20power%20of%20niacinamide,it's%20suitable%20for%20sensitive%20skin.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/4/425

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13346-024-01593-y

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/niacin-vitamin-b3