How to use niacinamide in your skincare routine
It’s a lesser known skincare ingredient but niacinamides are proving to be a great all rounder. We tell you more about the active and how to use niacinamide in your skincare routine.
Skincare buffs are well versed in the benefits of retinols, vitamin C, jojoba Oil, chemical exfoliation, AHA and BHA. And while they are all effective actives to have in your skincare products, there are some less well known ones that are just as good. Granted, a name like niacinamide doesn’t sound sexy but trust us, it’s slowly making its way to well-deserved fame.
Niacinamide For Your Body and Your Skin
What is niacinamide, precisely? And why is it becoming a buzz ingredient in the beauty world? Niacinamide is part of the Vitamin B3 family. Specifically it’s an element of the vitamin B3 molecule, the other being niacin. It is naturally found in food such as grains, fish, meat and beans and has great benefits when ingested. However it’s incredible when used topically. The reason this ingredient is so special is that it’s compatible with all skin types. It’s one of the most effective anti-inflammatory ingredients you could possibly find in skincare products. Making it perfect for calming irritated acne and any breakouts, as well as rosacea and redness. At the same time, it helps to even out the complexion of the skin and minimise the appearance of pores. It strengthens the skin barrier by boosting the natural production of collagen, locking in moisture in and preventing dehydration.
Pro Ageing Qualities of Niacinamide
By strengthening the skin and boosting the production of collagen, it has proved to have great pro ageing benefits. So if you feel like your complexion is dull or dry, niacinamide works wonders. It makes a perfect choice for pretty much anyone. However it’s especially beneficial for skin types that are more complex and difficult to take care of. A perfect example of which is adult acne. It helps to even the complexion of the skin without using any irritating actives. Decades of research have shown that it works to protect skin from environmental damage, particularly sun damage, and improves hydration, reduces signs of ageing, shrinks enlarged pores, lessens blackheads and significantly improves skin discolouration and uneven skin tone.
How Should I Use A Niacinamide?
When can you introduce it into your skincare routine, and how? First of all, this time of the year is perfect for using niacinamide. Thats because the winter season damages skin barriers, making them more susceptible to other issues. So Autumn is a great moment to start using niacinamides on a regular basis. Niacinamide happens to be a great team player when used in your regular routine. It’s available in a wide variety of products, not just in a serum format. Use it after cleansing and toning, but before your more active serums and oils. Don’t forget to follow with your favourite moisturizer and SPF. (Yes SPF should be worn, even in winter, and even if your skin is dark. Check out our pick of our favourite clean mineral sunscreens.) Now sit back and watch the results, without any worries about irritation, redness or hypersensitivity. Not sure where to start, these are our favourite niacinamide products to try this autumn.
Best Niacinamide Serums
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for general advice only and should not be used as a substitute for professional healthcare or beauty advice. We make every effort to ensure we only recommend safe products however you should always do a patch test when trying new products. This post may contain affiliate links.
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