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Niacinamide can work wonders for every skin type. Hard to believe, isn’t it? But the benefits of niacinamide for skin resemble a long laundry list – from regulating excess sebum to fading dark spots and hydrating skin, it’s really a do-it-all. Call it niacinamide, vitamin B3, or an ‘elixir for your skin’ but adding it to your routine is the best thing you can do. Pronounced as nya-ci-na-mide, this ingredient has been an expert favourite for ages because of its versatility. Available in different concentrations (from 1% to 10%), everyone can benefit from this amazing ingredient, including beginners.
Niacinamide is even suitable for sensitive skin types and helps reduce irritation and inflammation. Niacinamide also seamlessly blends into your AM and PM skincare routine as it can be used with other skincare actives. We promise once you begin using this skincare hero, you will never go back. Not convinced yet? Read on as we dive deep into the incredible niacinamide serum benefits. We’re also exploring how to use niacinamide serum, other skincare ingredients to pair with, and top-selling picks you must try.
Benefits Of Niacinamide Serum For Skin
1. Regulates Oil Production
Folks with oily, acne-prone and combination skin - this is the best thing you’ll hear today. Niacinamide helps to control sebum production and reduce inflammation. When your oil glands work overtime you will notice that your pores appear enlarged and sometimes even clogged – Niacinamide directly tackles the root cause, which subsequently fights these skin issues. It’s also a great ingredient to use in conjunction with other products, making it a true team player.
2. Reduces The Appearance Of Pores
Okay, first things first – pores are natural and you cannot reduce their size. But due to its anti-inflammatory and sebum-reducing properties, niacinamide can help visibly reduce the appearance of large pores, tighten lax or stretched-out pores and improve your skin texture by increasing the elasticity of the skin.
3. Boosts Hydration
When you think of hydration, hyaluronic acid might be the first ingredient that comes to mind. But, our dear niacinamide is also a key ingredient that can help boost hydration. It can strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier (a layer of water and oil that protects the skin) thereby locking in a ton of moisture and blocking out pollutants and irritants. This also makes niacinamide beneficial for people with sensitive skin.
4. Eases Inflammation & Irritation
Anyone who has struggled with acne, rosacea or eczema knows that it’s coupled with redness, swelling and itching. However, due to the anti-inflammatory benefits of niacinamide, it acts as a coolant to calm irritated skin and helps strengthen a weakened skin barrier.
5. Protects Your Skin
Free radicals, sun damage and oxidative stress can cause more harm to your skin than you know. Niacinamide builds up your skin’s immunity against this trio by boosting keratin production. Which is essentially a type of protein that protects, firms up and keeps your skin plump.
6. Fades Dark Spots
Be it the aftermath of an acne outbreak or sun spots, niacinamide can fade out even the most stubborn dark spots. Studies have proven that a concentrated niacinamide serum can block enzymes that cause hyperpigmentation or dark spots. It’s quite a potent skin-lightening compound that can inhibit the excess melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour) production for even-toned skin.
7. Boost Collagen Production
Collagen is what makes your skin bouncy and contributes to its plump appearance. However, its production in your skin naturally decreases as you age. Niacinamide boosts the production of collagen in your skin to help maintain the firmness and elasticity that gives your skin that youthful glow.
8. Gently Fights Acne
If you have acne-prone skin, niacinamide should become a part of your skincare routine ASAP! Its anti-inflammatory properties help fight acne and clear your skin of impurities in the most gentle way. It also helps reduce blemishes and acne scars to improve brighten the dull appearance of your skin.
9. Evens Skin Tone
Dark spots, pigmentation, and acne scars often take away from the natural glow of the skin. Enter: Niacinamide. As per a study, it works wonders in reducing hyperpigmentation as those pesky dark spots make your overall complexion brighter and more even. It’s the best-kept secret weapon for a radiant glow and even-toned skin.
10. Improves Skin Texture
Want your youthful flow and smooth skin back? Say goodbye to signs of ageing with niacinamide serums that help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as per a study. Regular use of niacinamide is sure to improve your skin texture. It’s like adding a blurring filter – but in real life!
What Does Niacinamide Serum Do For Your Skin?
Simply said, Niacinamide is a skincare hero and should definitely be in your skincare routine. A form of Vitamin B3, niacinamide is known to treat a wide range of skin concerns. Whether you struggle with uneven skin tone, want a natural radiant glow, or wish for your dark spots or acne scars to the face, niacinamide is sure to help you address your skin woes. It is also great for all sensitive skin girlies as it helps reduce inflammation and redness.
This magical ingredient is also great at minimising pores and reducing the appearance of large pores. So, you’ll be sure to get the smoothest most clear face yet. Acne got you down? Niacinamide also helps regulate oil products to put a stop to breakouts. Overall, niacinamide can make your skin feel softer and more supple while reducing visible imperfections – all while strengthening your natural skin barrier.
How To Apply A Niacinamide Serum?
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to use niacinamide serum for the best results.
Step 1: Thoroughly cleanse your face using a gentle cleanser.
Step 2: Apply your toner/essence on damp skin and allow it to absorb for 1 minute.
Step 3: Take 2-3 drops of the niacinamide serum and press it into your skin.
Step 4: Follow up with any other oil-based serum if you like. Otherwise, go ahead with your moisturiser and sunscreen (in your AM skincare routine).
Best Skincare Ingredients To Pair With Niacinamide
Indulging in a little mixology with skincare ingredients can amplify the niacinamide serum benefits to tackle your skin concerns in a much quicker and more effective way.
Best Skincare Ingredients To Pair With Niacinamide
Niacinamide + Vitamin C
This power duo should be your go-to if you want to tackle dark spots, pigmentation or blemishes. Vitamin C being a potent antioxidant can brighten your skin and reduce blotchiness. Niacinamide, as we know, can inhibit excess melanin production for even-toned skin.
Niacinamide + AHAs/BHAs
Got acne that refuses to leave you alone? Here’s the fix. Using glycolic acid (AHA) or salicylic acid (BHA) expedites the battle against it. They can deep cleanse your pores and exfoliate your skin to rid them of bacteria, gunk, excess oil and impurities - the evil forces behind acne. Plus, a niacinamide serum soothes inflammation, controls excess oil and reduces the appearance of large pores. Make sure to use these exfoliating acids only 1-2 times a week at night.
Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid
Welcome to your hydration station! Using both these together will help you fight dry, dehydrated, flaky or rough skin. HA (hyaluronic acid) being a humectant, can pull up to 1000 times its weight in water. Along with the barrier-protecting abilities of niacinamide, this hydro-duo can deliver plump, soft skin in no time. Layer your HA serum first and then lock in the moisture with a niacinamide serum.
Niacinamide + Retinol
Retinol is the anti-ageing MVP, we all know that, but it can sometimes lead to redness or skin irritation. So pair it with Niacinamide as it is super soothing and hydrating. Plus, niacinamide helps with acne, hyperpigmentation, anti-ageing and sun damage on its own, so combining them is the obvious way to tackle these concerns. Layer your retinol first and then seal it in with niacinamide.
Top-Selling Niacinamide Serums Recommended By Nykaa
Best Overall
Ever since The Ordinary made its debut on Nykaa, skincare junkies have had their eyes set on this niacinamide + zinc serum. And, why not - the brand’s top-seller, it claims to deliver smoother skin after just 8 weeks of continued use. The hefty 10% concentration of niacinamide along with zinc can significantly improve barrier function, increase skin smoothness and boost skin radiance.
For Skin Brightening
This serum packs a punch with 3 brightening ingredients in one – vitamin C, E and niacinamide. Pick this serum to lighten dark spots, acne marks, pigmentation, and discolouration. And it does what it claims, as 94% of the people who used it, agreed that it dramatically improved skin brightness.
To Fight Acne
Supercharge your acne care routine with this triple-action serum. Clinically proven to reduce the intensity of dark spots in just 4 weeks, unclog pores and fight acne, it’s the brand’s best-seller for a reason. With a blend of niacinamide, retinol and vitamin E, this daily-use serum is the ultimate addition to your anti-acne regimen.
So, make some space in your beauty vanity already, because niacinamide is here to up your skincare game.
For Oil Control
If your skin resembles an oil slick just hours after cleansing, then this niacinamide serum is the right fix. It keeps your overworking sebum glands in check as well as reduces acne marks and tiny bumps. What you will love the most is its fast action – because 93% of users saw a reduction in oiliness in just 4 weeks.
Antidote For Dull Skin
This vegan and cruelty-free formula clubs together the dark spot-fighting abilities of niacinamide with the skin-brightening and smoothing benefits of rice water. The milky white texture seeps quickly into the skin to improve your skin tone in just 4 weeks!
Budget Buy
Dealing with stubborn acne marks is no joke - because it just takes forever to go, right? But not with this niacinamide serum. Clinical studies and several reviews show that 91% consumers saw a reduction in their acne marks. So, it's time to finally bid farewell to those annoying marks!
To Minimise Pores
Made by our favourite K beauty brand, this highly concentrated niacinamide serum refines pores and smoothes skin with little or no effort. Its non-comedogenic formula sweeps your pores clean and delivers an overall brighter and smoother complexion.
Promotes Even Skin Tone
With deep exfoliating abilities, this serum can clear out your skin like no other. Infused with 5% PHA and 1% salicylic acid - it gently buffs away dead skin cells to reveal brighter, even-toned skin.
Conclusion
Niacinamide is an effective skincare ingredient that helps regulate sebum production and reduce inflammation, resulting in smooth, soft, even-toned skin. It reduces inflammation and irritation, soothing sensitive skin and reinforcing the skin barrier. This skincare hero also helps reduce dark spots by inhibiting enzymes that cause hyperpigmentation or dark spots, making it an effective skin-lightening agent. Overall, niacinamide tackles a variety of skin concerns and regularly using a serum or skincare product infused with niacinamide will help you achieve clear, glowing skin.
FAQs On Niacinamide
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Is niacinamide suitable for all skin types?
Yes! Niacinamide serum benefits can be enjoyed by all skin types. This includes reducing acne, pigmentation, dullness, and dryness. It is quite soothing and does not cause any skin irritation - making it suitable for people with sensitive skin as well
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Can niacinamide be used with other skincare ingredients?
You can easily pair up niacinamide with other skincare ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and AHAs/BHAs. Doing this will amplify the results and help you tackle your skincare concerns in an effective and quicker way.
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Is 2% niacinamide effective?
1% to 2% niacinamide is quite effective, especially if you’re a beginner and just exploring skincare with actives. For maximum niacinamide serum benefits, you can gradually increase it to up to 5%.
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Is it okay to use niacinamide every day?
According to a study, facial skin tolerates niacinamide very well. So yes, you can use niacinamide every day. In fact, it is sometimes recommended to use niacinamide serums twice a day in your AM and PM skincare routine.
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Can a beginner use 10% niacinamide serum?
If you have never used niacinamide or any products with active ingredients, it is recommended to use serums with a concentration of 1% to 2% and gradually increase. However, if you have used other actives, you can consider using 10% niacinamide serum after conducting a patch test.
