NIACINAMIDE - HOW IT WORKS AND WHEN TO USE IT

Niacinamide has taken the cosmetics market by storm, being one of the most frequently searched care ingredients. Such popularity proves one thing - niacinamide is worth knowing and, above all, using. So how does it work and who should introduce it to their beauty routine? Check it out!

NIACINAMIDE - WHAT IS IT?

The most popular alternative name for niacinamide is vitamin B3, but it is also known as vitamin B3, vitamin PP, niacin or nicotinamide. Therefore, if you are looking for cosmetics with niacinamide, when you see such words in the composition, feel free to add the product to your cart.

Niacinamide is easily absorbed through the skin, dissolves in water and is resistant to sunlight, high temperature, oxygen, acid and alkali.

NIACINAMIDE - FOR WHOM?

Niacinamide has a very broad spectrum of action and is suitable for almost all skin types. A frequently asked question is whether niacinamide can cause clogs? Of course, each skin is different and reacts differently to the action of individual active ingredients, but niacinamide will work especially well if you have oily, problematic skin, but also skin prone to irritation.

Remember that oily skin can also be sensitive and in such a case vitamin B3 is an ideal care ingredient.

NIACINAMIDE - HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Niacinamide is an antioxidant. This means that niacinamide has a neutralizing effect on free radicals responsible for, among others: faster skin aging. Do you care about healthy, young-looking skin? Niacinamide is your ally. And while we're on this topic...
• Niacinamide has anti-wrinkle effects. This ingredient stimulates the production of collagen and, as a result, the skin is more elastic, elastic and "filled", and wrinkles are simply less visible.
• Niacinamide restores skin balance. What does it mean? The point is that niacinamide increases the production of ceramides, which build the lipid barrier of the epidermis. Thanks to this, the skin loses less water, is better moisturized, soothed and more effectively protected.
• Niacinamide has anti-acne properties. It reduces the production of sebum, has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits the multiplication of bacteria responsible for the formation of pimples and blackheads.
• Niacinamide reduces discoloration and redness. This ingredient inhibits the transport of melanin, a pigment found in the human body, to the epidermis cells, thanks to which there are fewer discolorations and the skin has a more uniform color.

WHAT TO APPLY ON NIACINAMIDE?

The question in the title is a bit perverse because it is better to ask it the other way around - what should niacinamide be applied to? Vitamin B3, due to its soothing effect, should be used with stronger active ingredients.

WHAT TO COMBINE NIACINAMID WITH?

1. FOR ANTI-WRINKLE EFFECT
   niacinamide + retinol
   Retinol has a strong exfoliating effect and may irritate. To avoid such an effect, apply soothing niacinamide to the serum/cream with retinol.
   
   
2. FOR ACTION AGAINST IMPERFECTIONS
   niacinamide + zinc
   Together they have great anti-acne and imperfection reducing properties. Additionally, niacinamide increases skin hydration and reduces the drying effect of zinc.
   
   
3. FOR STRONG MOISTURIZATION
   niacinamide + hyaluronic acid
   Thanks to its strengthening effect on the skin barrier, it protects it against excessive water loss, and hyaluronic acid moisturizes it perfectly. This combination gives the effect of hydrated, fresh and radiant skin!
   
   4. FOR A UNIFORM SKIN EFFECT WITHOUT DISCOLORATIONS
   niacinamide + azelaic acid
   Azelaic acid has a keratolytic effect, i.e. it dissolves and exfoliates keratinized epidermis, thus revealing "new", smooth skin. Niacinamide, in turn, protects the skin against discoloration, so this duo of active ingredients is a very effective therapy that smoothes the skin and evens out its color.

WHAT NOT TO COMBINE NIACINAMIDE WITH?

1. With AHA and BHA acids - niacinamide and the mentioned acids have extremely different pH, so they neutralize each other's effects.
2. With ascorbic acid - the reaction of ascorbic acid and niacinamide produces nicotinic acid, which causes burning, irritation and redness of the skin.

BUT! Important information - ascorbic acid is the basic, unstable form of vitamin C. However, you can combine niacinamide with cosmetics that contain stable vitamin C, e.g. ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate (for example, as in the GLOW serum)

NIACINAMIDE - HOW TO INTRODUCE IT?

Just like any new active ingredient - slowly, systematically and carefully observing your skin. The concentration of the ingredient in the preparation also plays an important role. Cosmetics usually contain niacinamide at a concentration of 2 to 5%, but there are also products with concentrations as high as 10 or 15%.

If you have sensitive, dry and irritation-prone skin, use niacinamide at a concentration of 0.5% to 5%.

If your skin is very problematic, oily or acne-prone, a more effective solution will be care with much higher concentrations, i.e. the previously mentioned 10-15% niacinamide.

Does niacinamide cause rashes? Yes, although the ingredient itself helps to reduce these types of problems, its too high concentration may lead to the appearance of imperfections or manifest themselves as the so-called flush effect such as erythema, tingling, burning or itching. These are symptoms that may have different symptoms, although they usually do not last long. At the same time, it is worth remembering that although niacinamide is a mild substance, it is something that we apply to the skin - so it is worth being patient and using the small step method.

It is definitely worth looking for cosmetics that contain additional ingredients in addition to niacinamide. Such products have a more comprehensive, multidirectional effect and do not focus on one skin problem. In addition to niacinamide, we have also enriched our LIFT serum with a whole range of natural ingredients - goji fruit extract, wine extract, green tea extract and triple hyaluronic acid. LIFT serum is a truly nourishing care cocktail that has revitalizing and anti-wrinkle properties, reduces imperfections, moisturizes and evens out the skin tone.

If you haven't tried the wonderful effects of niacinamide yet, we strongly encourage you to try it!