Everything You Need to Know About Niacinamide 5% for Your Skin
And Why Niacnimaide 5% Serums Have Become The Go-To For Just About Every Skin Concern
What Is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3. It's a vital nutrient that transforms skin by building keratin, a protein essential for healthy, firm skin. By enhancing the skin's lipid barrier, it locks in moisture, protecting against pollutants and irritants, making the skin more resilient and less sensitive. And because of its versatility, its broad spectrum of benefits & its great for virtually all types of skins - it’s a long time favorite of dermatologist & estheticians alike.
An Expert's Perspective On Niacinamide:
Dr. Marisa Garshick, board-certified dermatologist & and Skincare.com consultant based in New York City, describes Niacinamide as a "versatile" ingredient beneficial for brightening, moisturizing, and soothing the skin.
In summary, she says, Niacinamide is particularly effective for conditions like acne or sensitive skin. “It can be used as a main ingredient in certain products or in combination with other ingredients to help calm the skin and improve tolerability,” she adds. From what we've researched, this is quite true. For example… Retinol & Kojic Acid are both known to cause very adverse reactions in some. Yet, Niacinamide helps calm that reaction making Retinol tolerable for many!
What is Niacinamide 5% Good For?
- Hydration and Barrier Enhancement: It boosts skin's hydration and strengthens the barrier, preventing moisture loss and shielding the skin from environmental damage.
- Inflamed Skin Reduction: Niacinamide is wonderful for calming redness & puffy blotchy skin.
- Pore Appearance and Oil Regulation: It smooths skin texture and may minimize the appearance of pores by regulating oil production.
- Dark Spot Treatment: This ingredient is proven to brighten skin tone and lighten dark spots, thanks to its ability to inhibit melanin transfer.
- Wrinkle and Fine Line Reduction: Niacinamide aids in the prevention of skin dehydration and damage, contributing to a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles by increasing keratin and collagen production.
Niacinamide serums come in various concentrations, with 5% being an effective dose for most skin types - this is the percentage we included in our Niacinamide Activator Serum.
[Editor's note: However, for sensitive skin or conditions like eczema, starting with a lower concentration may be advisable. It's always best to check with a doctor & patch test first!]
When Should You Use A Niacinamide Serum?
Apply after cleansing and toning. This allows the active ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin. Just apply a few drops of the serum to your face, both morning and night. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula makes it a perfect base for moisturizer or SPF, enhancing the efficacy of subsequent skincare products
The best time to use it is up to you! Morning & Night - even twice per day can be great depending on what goals you have for your skin.
That said, if you use it in the morning - this is important advice - you should follow up your Niacinamide Serum with a moisturizer & SPF 30+ on your skin. Otherwise the sun damages your skin faster than Niacinamide works.
Debunking Myths
Can you use Niacinamide with other ingredients?
Niacinamide is a team player in skincare formulations, harmonizing well with other active ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, AHAs/BHAs, and vitamin C. This compatibility allows it to be used with many skincare routines, enhancing its versatility and effectiveness in addressing multiple skin concerns.
Our Niacinamide Activator Serum is uniquely formulated with Red Ginseng, a celebrated ingredient with a rich history in traditional medicine, especially in Korea & China. Red Ginseng is prized for its antioxidant properties, making it an excellent companion to Niacinamide & often great for sensitive skin. This synergy enhances our serum's ability to brighten the skin, reduce signs of aging, and improve skin elasticity. In short Niacinamide 5% + Red Ginseng is Ancient wisdom and modern skincare at its best.
Can you use Niacinamide With Vtamin C?
It’s been long touted that Vitamin C & B3 combined might cause skin irritation and reduce the effectiveness of Vitamin C. However, recent formulations and research suggest that both can be used together effectively without causing adverse reactions.
Does Niacinamide cause your skin to become Red or Flush?
Another myth is that Niacinamide can cause skin flushing or redness.
This myth was likely created because of how Vitamin B3 - taken as a supplement in high doses causes flushing (which many want because it’s believed to improve circulation & promote benefits such as improving cholesterol levels, heart health, and skin health).
But, this is not the same for Niacinamide in skin care. Niacinamide is generally well-tolerated and should not cause this reaction. It's always a good practice to patch tests with any new skin care treatment & if you have stronger concerns to consult a skin care professional when in doubt about skincare ingredients.
Is Niacinamide better to use in the day or night?
This is simply not true… Niacinamide can be used both day and night. Though you must use a SPF 30+ to protect your skin if you use it in the morning; otherwise the sun will damage your skin faster than Niacinamide can help.
Is Niacinamide high concentration like 20% the best… or is 5% ok?
Really this depends on your skin care goals and what your skin can tolerate. Higher concentrations aren't necessarily more effective and can sometimes lead to irritation in sensitive individuals.
It's important to choose a concentration that suits your skin type and concerns. We currently carry our Niacinamide Activator Serum with a 5% concentration as this works best for most people. Our Niacinamide Activator Serum is designed to be gentle yet effective, suitable for all skin types.
Conclusion
Niacinamide, as an ingredient, is celebrated for its versatility in skincare, addressing concerns like hydration, skin tone evenness, and the appearance of pores and fine lines. It's a powerful ally for maintaining skin health and enhancing its natural glow.
Transitioning from a typical Niacinamide's ingredient profile, our Niacinamide Activator Serum leverages Niacinamide's well-documented benefits—such as brightening, improving skin barrier function, and reducing the appearance of pores—but also innovates by including Red Ginseng. This addition enriches the serum with ancient wisdom, harnessing Red Ginseng's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to complement Niacinamide's effects, offering a holistic solution to skin health and radiance.
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