Perpetually difficult to say and perhaps a little reminiscent of something an evil scientist would concoct in his lab, the name ‘niacinamide’ might sound scary – but in fact, it’s one of the most universally loved skincare ingredients, and one you should consider adding to your routine quick-smart. Niacinamide, derived from vitamin B3, is packed full of awesome benefits that run the gamut of skin concerns, including acne prevention and anti-ageing.
But, before you go slotting it into your skincare routine without a second thought, like with any ingredient, it’s important to know the dos, don’ts, ups, and downs of niacinamide. Where does it come from? Who should be using it? Does it have any conflicts?
We’re ready for everyone to reap the rewards of this bonafide miracle ingredient for their skin – here’s everything you need to know about niacinamide.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 (yes, the stuff that’s in Vegemite). But, unlike the niacin in Australia’s favourite breakfast spread, which supports body functions such as cardiovascular health, niacinamide is a different type of B3 and a total skincare superstar. Niacinamide is often naturally derived from – you guessed it – yeast, as well as a variety of grains and cereals.
Like vitamins A, C, E, and so forth, vitamin B3 is considered an antioxidant, which in the world of skincare products, is a pretty big deal. We’ll dig a little deeper into niacinamide’s antioxidant properties shortly, but the gist is, antioxidants are a must for keeping your skin healthy and protected, making this a great ingredient to consider adding to your routine.
What does niacinamide do?
Vitamin B3’s benefits are widespread, making it a killer ingredient choice to address a range of concerns. Here are just a few of niacinamide’s best qualities…
Helps the skin to retain moisture
By now, we all know that glow equals hydration. In order to have supple, smooth skin that radiates from the inside out, we have to lock in moisture – and keep it there as long as possible. Niacinamide does this in two ways, the first of which is by increasing the skin’s ability to retain moisture by helping it strengthen its lipid barrier. Also known as the moisture barrier or skin barrier, the lipid barrier (stratum corneum) is the outermost layer of the skin and works to keep moisture on the inside, and harmful environmental stressors out. The other way niacinamide helps to hydrate the skin is by boosting and sealing in moisture applied from other skincare products, such as serums and moisturisers. All in all, it’s the perfect ingredient to rely on if you have dry, mature, or dehydrated skin that needs a little extra somethin’ somethin’ to help achieve that juicy glow.
Combats the physical signs of ageing
If it’s your goal to minimise the physical manifestations of the ageing process, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin pigmentation, then niacinamide is a handy ingredient to have in your arsenal. Studies have shown that niacinamide can help boost key proteins in the body, including collagen and keratin. Keratin is great for skin health and firmness, and collagen is – as many of us already know – what keeps our skin soft, supple, and youthful-looking. An increase in collagen production is also a major benefit if you experience hyperpigmentation or dark, uneven spots on your skin, as more collagen often results in a more uniform skin tone and texture with fewer imperfections.
Treats acne and breakouts
Niacinamide has been touted as a must-use ingredient for every skin type, but it’s a particularly well-loved fave for those who suffer from acne and breakouts. It addresses pimples, cysts, pustules, blackheads, and more through the one-two punch approach of oil regulation and inflammation control. Acne and breakouts are often (although not always) caused by an overproduction of oil and sebum, which is where vitamin B3 jumps into action and works its little butt off to slow this down. With less oil on the skin, fewer breakouts should develop. Plus, because niacinamide is amazing at locking in hydration, it ensures that the skin remains balanced and moisturised throughout this process.
Niacinamide also treats acne because, like many vitamins, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. These help to soothe inflammation from acne, especially pustules, which can lead to quicker healing and a fresher, calmer complexion down the track.
Protects the skin from stressors
Lastly, niacinamide is super effective at protecting the skin against external stressors from the environment, UV radiation, and pollution. Vitamin B3 is an antioxidant, which means it has the capacity to reduce ‘oxidative stress’ from external factors and to combat damage from free radicals as a result. This is a crucial step in every skincare routine, regardless of age, skin concerns, and lifestyle, as these environmental stressors can not only affect the physical appearance of the skin, contributing to fine lines, wrinkles, and dull, uneven skin tone, but they can also impact your overall wellbeing on a more cellular level. Niacinamide is also clever enough to actually rebuild skin cells as part of the protection process, meaning you’ll be fighting off damage and building resistance concurrently.
Who can reap the benefits of niacinamide?
One of the best bits about niacinamide is that it’s active yet gentle enough to be appropriate for all skin types if used correctly. In particular, mature, dry, and acne-prone skin types will really enjoy niacinamide’s skin benefits. Niacinamide has also proven to be fantastic for sensitive skin, as strengthening the skin’s barrier and protecting against environmental damage are both key for this skin type. If your skin tends to react to new products, just be sure to patch test your new niacinamide, and monitor for any side effects for the first few weeks of use.
How should you use niacinamide?
There are a tonne of fantastic niacinamide products on the market, each of which imparts its own unique benefits. A topical niacinamide serum, moisturiser, or gel will often garner the best results, as these kinds of products allow the ingredient to sink deep into the skin’s layers over time. However, that doesn’t mean niacinamide can’t work wonders in a cleanser or similar wipe-off product – you’ll just need to ensure you’re using it regularly enough to see results. The recommended frequency of use for niacinamide will depend directly on the product you’ve chosen, but the rule of thumb is that it’s gentle enough to use once or even twice daily.
So, let’s dig into a couple of our niacinamide favourites. In the shower, we can’t go past the Remake Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser. Formulated with niacinamide as the star alongside juicy, plumping tangelo, this cleanser is all about maintaining the skin’s natural oils, not stripping away all of that glow-creating goodness. Instead, it’ll simply leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day with a bright, clear complexion.
Our other must-have is the Remake Skin OJ Antioxidant Moisturiser. The perfect pick-me-up in a bottle, Skin OJ is like quenching your complexion with a big ol’ glass of orange juice through hydrating hyaluronic and vitamin C. Niacinamide pokes its head in to amplify the benefits of these well-known actives, and of course, to impart its own goodness in the fight for better, brighter skin.
At Remake, we’re here to help you make niacinamide a non-negotiable in your routine. Pick up the Skin OJ Antioxidant Moisturiser, Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser and more today to start your journey towards better skin without all the fuss.