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6 Things You Need to Know About Niacinamide Cream

Learn more about the popular skincare ingredient Niacinamide and what it can do for your skin.

Read on

Vitamin A (Tretinoin) and Vitamin C have long been known for their beautifying abilities when applied to the skin.

But what about Vitamin B?

Yes! It turns out that Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, also has some pretty potent beauty benefits up its sleeve as well.

In this article, we will give you the rundown on Niacinamide cream and how it can fit perfectly into your skin regimen.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3.

Niacinamide can be found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, green vegetables, beans, and grains.

Historically, Vitamin B3 has been given in its supplement form to people who developed a B3 deficiency called Pellagra which causes inflamed skin, dementia, and GI issues.

Interestingly:

The beautifying benefits of B3 were actually discovered through seeing how much better the skin of Pellagra patients looked after treatment.

Also Read: 12 Reasons Why We Love Hyaluronic Acid Serums

Does niacinamide make skin sensitive to sun?

Niacinamide is great because it is extremely compatible with other beauty products, making it a no-brainer to use in a quick and easy combination product packed full of other beauty essentials.

For all of you sensitive skin sufferers:

You can even apply Niacinamide multiple times a day or to very sensitive skin, and will likely not have any issues.

One study testing out the safety of the ingredient found Niacinamide to be non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and not sensitizing to the sun.

So, unlike some other beauty products, you can slather on your Niacinamide before heading out into the sun and your skin will be all the better for it. (But please wear your sunscreen anyway!)

What does Niacinamide do for skin?

Niacinamide can help lighten skin hyperpigmentation, improve moisture content, improve skin texture and blotchiness, as well as providing a reduction in wrinkles, elasticity, and sallowness.

Niacinamide has also been used in skin conditions such as acne, and melasma.

So I guess the better question is what doesn’t it do.

Niacinamide vs Niacin vs Nicotinamide

Nicotinamide is just another name for Niacinamide, and the terms can be used interchangeably.

Niacin and Niacinamide are the two forms of Vitamin B3.

Niacinamide can be formed from Niacin in the body, and Niacin can be formed from the amino acid Tryptophan.

But they act differently and should be used in different ways.

Niacin

  • Best used as an oral supplement to help lower cholesterol levels.
  • (Niacin is also known for its annoying flushing reaction when taken by mouth for cholesterol-lowering.)

Niacinamide

  • Does not have this same flushing reaction, but it does not have the lipid-lowering benefits either.
  • This is best used by mouth for Vitamin B3 deficiency treatment.
  • Or applied to the skin as an anti-aging cream.

How to use Niacinamide cream or serum?

Niacinamide serum or cream is best used applied to clean dry skin, once or twice daily.

You can apply a pea-sized amount in the morning under your normal moisturizer and make-up.

Niacinamide is gentle enough that you should have no issues applying to the delicate skin around your eyes as well.

Just avoid getting it in your eyes!

For an extra boost:

Apply in the evening, or every time you wash your face.

Learn More: Best Products for Uneven Skin Tone: Skin Brightening Products

Where to buy Niacinamide cream?

You can find it over the counter in certain cosmetics.

You can also find pharmaceutical grade Niacinamide as a component in our Physician and Pharmacist crafted formulations:

  • Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3.
  • Niacinamide is super compatible with other skin ingredients and rarely has any adverse effects.
  • Works great for those sensitive skin types, and does not cause sun sensitivity.
  • Niacin and Niacinamide are both forms of Vitamin B3, but Niacin is best used for cholesterol, and Niacinamide should be used for the anti-aging benefits.
  • Niacinamide is gentle enough to apply multiple times daily.
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