The Power of 10% Niacinamide in Skincare

If you are looking for a way to fight the effects of aging and get healthier-looking skin, niacinamide is a skincare ingredient that is gentle enough to use with any skin type and packed with big benefits. 

What is Niacinamide

Niacinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, is necessary for the efficient performance of fat and sugars as well as cell health. It’s commonly found in foods such as fish, milk, eggs, and green vegetables.²

It’s been well-studied and found to be tolerated by most people.  It can be taken by mouth or used topically on skin and is beneficial for your skin, kidneys, heart, nerves, gut, and brain.² 

When used topically, niacinamide improves your skin’s lipid barrier, increases collagen production, and regulates glandular oil production. It also improves cell production and protects against cell damage from environmental stressors. 

Niacinamide vs. Niacin

It’s important not to confuse niacinamide with niacin. Niacin is also vitamin B3. It’s used orally to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Deficiencies in niacin are linked to birth defects.⁶ 

Your body converts any excess niacin into niacinamide, making it a derivative of niacin. Niacinamide doesn’t affect cholesterol or blood pressure, but may slow progression of type 1 diabetes or reduce the effects of osteoarthritis when taken by mouth.⁷  

When used topically, niacinamide is a skincare powerhouse.

Benefits of Using Topical Niacinamide

Topical niacinamide can be found in several different percentages, with the most benefits coming from products with 5%-10% niacinamide. Foundation Skincare offers a Nicinamide 10% lotion that is also formulated with ceramides. 

• Helps Build Keratin

Keratin is a protein that keeps skin firm and healthy. Niacinamide’s ability to improve cell health encourages keratin development. 

• Lessens Redness & Blotchiness

Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and inflammation from skin caused by acne, eczema, and other skin conditions.⁸

• Minimize Pore Appearance

While niacinamide will not actually reduce pores, the combination of improving your skin’s barrier, regulating oil production, and reducing inflammation makes skin smoother and makes your pores appear less noticeable.¹⁰

• Helps Protect Against Sun Damage

Exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun is one of the main causes of premature skin aging and skin cancer. By improving cell health and the skin barrier, niacinamide helps protect against ultraviolet radiation damage and helps repair damaged cells. The result is less skin damage from sun exposure.¹¹

• Helps Reduce Acne

Because niacinamide helps regulate the oil secreted from glands, it helps reduce acne breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties help control the redness and swelling associated with acne as well, especially when paired with Azelaic Acid 14% Cream. 

• Minimizes Wrinkles

When niacinamide aids in cell repair and improved skin barrier, your skin holds more moisture, has improved elasticity, and becomes plumper, which can help wrinkles and fine lines appear smaller.¹⁵

What to Look for in a Niacinamide Product

Niacinamide is available in several different concentrations, but you may see more benefits from products with higher concentrations. Studies have shown oil regulation with 2% niacinamide, acne improvement with 4% niacinamide, and improvement of wrinkles and skin tone with 5%-10% niacinamide.^3,5

When choosing a niacinamide product look for one with 5%-10% concentration. You also want to reduce irritation by choosing a lightweight cream or serum that is free of fragrance, parabens, and phthalates. Choose one that is gentle enough for your skin type, has good absorption, and doesn’t pill.

Foundation Skincare’s Niacinamide Lotion 10% offers the maximum benefit including reducing the appearance of  dark spots, damaged skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores, while controlling acne breakouts and helping smooth skin texture.

Other Skincare Products to Pair with Niacinamide

Niacinamide’s benefits may be enhanced by using it in combination with other skincare products.  When used with the following ingredients, you can see anti-aging improvements resulting in firmer, plumper skin.

• Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin moisturized, especially if you have sensitive skin. Foundation Skincare’s Hyaluronic Acid Lotion is dermatologist tested to be layered with other products to give the deepest level of hydration and boost your skin’s natural healing process.

• Azelaic acid boosts control of acne, inflammation, and redness and helps lighten dark spots. Foundation Skincare’s Azelaic Acid 14% Cream is the highest concentration available without a prescription and gives you gentle exfoliation to improve skin tone.

• Retinol helps with collagen production while reducing wrinkles and improving skin tone. You can use Foundation Skincare’s Night Renewal Cream to improve fine lines and firm up skin. 

All Foundation Skincare’s products are specifically designed to work well together and gentle enough to use with all skin types. You can layer them for the best results.

Results to Expect After Using Niacinamide

It takes consistency and patience to realize all the benefits niacinamide can give your skin. While you might notice better hydration and improved skin texture in a few days, reduced redness and enhanced skin barrier may take 2-4 weeks to realize. If you are looking for improvement in fine lines and dark spots, it may take 8-12 weeks.²¹

Be on the lookout for any signs of irritation such as redness and itching. If they occur, stop using with exfoliating products or try a lower concentration.²¹

Allergic reactions are rare, but if you notice swelling, rash, hives, or have trouble breathing, stop using the product and seek medical attention.²¹

Niacinamide gives you big benefits in a gentle product that is well-tolerated for all skin types. It works well to combat the inflammation and redness that comes with acne while building your defense against sun damage and the effects of aging your skin.

Layering niacinamide with a good moisturizer, exfoliant, and anti-aging product boosts the benefits from all the products. Foundation Skincare’s products are dermatologist approved to give you the highest concentration of ingredients available without a prescription with a money-back guarantee, making it safe for you to treat your skin to some extra care.

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References:

1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/niacinamide

2. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-to-know-about-niacinamide-skin-care

3. https://curology.com/blog/niacinamide

4. https://chemistconfessions.com/blogs/how-much-niacinamide-is-too-much-niacinamide

5. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/niacinamide

6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-niacin/art-20364984

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

8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2921764/

9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8389214/

10. https://111skin.com/blogs/111journal/niacinamide-for-pores-benefits-and-effectiveness

11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30698874

12. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/4-ways-to-protect-against-skin-cancer-other-than-sunscreen-2018042713722

13. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(12)01394-1/abstract

14. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/glycolysis

15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16029679

16. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/skin-care/g61839582/best-niacinamide-serums/

17. https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/what-is-niacinamide

18. https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-niacinamide-serums

19. https://www.today.com/shop/best-niacinamide-serums-rcna176585

20. https://danglifestyle.co/can-i-use-niacinamide-azelaic-acid-and-retinol-together

21. https://cityskinclinic.com/niacinamide-benefits-skincare