Redness, dehydrated skin, acne, enlarged pores, too much sebum... If only there was an ingredient that could help with all these conditions... Wait a minute, there is! It's called niacinamide, and here's everything you need to know before adding it to your routine.
WHAT IS NIACINAMIDE?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. It is a vitamin that helps the skin fight against harmful external influences and certain conditions such as dehydration and acne.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Scientific research shows that niacinamide works precisely at the DNA level! It stimulates the transcription of some and inhibits the transcription of other genes.
In other words, niacinamide "tells" skin cells how they should behave in order to achieve an optimal condition . He can, for example, "order" them to reduce sebum production and improve the composition of ceramides. It is precisely because of this action that niacinamide is one of the most effective skin care ingredients.
WHICH CONDITIONS DOES IT HELP?
Niacinamide is known for its soothing and restorative properties. For this reason, it can be used as an addition to treatments in the fight against acne . It alleviates redness and the inflammatory response, and it can certainly be combined with other active ingredients.
If you have dry skin, niacinamide may be helpful. It restores the skin barrier and thus can replace the lost moisture and help the skin to defend itself from additional drying.
Let's remember that the skin barrier - the defense wall of the skin is built from epidermal cells that are placed like small bricks, connected by ceramides. Skin whose barrier has been damaged is dehydrated, has a plastic shine and tightens after washing. Dehydrated skin is often described as skin that is 'dry but oily'. Tightening and dryness are felt, and the skin gets too oily again. Niacinamide improves this state of dehydration . It is actually one of the best ingredients that can be used.
If you have oily skin , niacinamide helps control sebum. The skin shines less and the possibility of the appearance of blackheads and comedones is lower.
Helps with hyperpigmentation! In concentrations of 5% and more, niacinamide successfully helps fight hyperpigmentation. It has been proven that it works perfectly in combination with tranexamic acid . It is an ingredient that itself fights against hyperpigmentation and evens out the complexion.
HOW IS IT USED?
It can be used in the morning, evening or both. The vast majority tolerates it very well! Also, it can be used in combination with all other ingredients - from acids to retinol.
HOW LONG DOES IT NEED TO WORK?
Although the first changes can be seen quite quickly, the full effect requires 2 to 4 weeks of daily use.
MY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Olival has B3 serum and cream in its offer.
The perfect thing about the serum is that in combination with 8% niacinamide (a proven effective concentration!) there are also tranexamic acid, xylitol and panthenol . Tranexamic acid improves the fight against hyperpigmentation, xylitol restores the skin barrier, and panthenol helps with hydration.
In addition to niacinamide, the cream also contains magnolia bark extract, squalane and panthenol. Magnolia bark extract is particularly interesting for its anti-inflammatory effect, so it calms irritated skin. Squalane is the oil most similar to our natural sebum – it adds an extra dose of protection and hydration without irritating the skin.
In this way, you get all the best from niacinamide!
Olival has B3 serum and cream in its offer. It is perfect that in combination with 8% niacinamide (proven effective concentration!) there are also tranexamic acid and panthenol . Tranexamic acid improves the fight against hyperpigmentation, and panthenol helps with hydration. In this way, you get all the best from niacinamide!
Author of text and photos: Magdalena Ivić / @skinlosophy.hr
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Literature: Pooja Bains, Manpreet Kaur, Jasleen Kaur, Saurabh Sharma; Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2018;84(2):234-237.doi: 10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_286_17. ; Nicotinamide: Mechanism of action and indications in dermatology
