HARNESSING THE POWER OF NIACINAMIDE

A popularly used ingredient in many skincare formulations, niacinamide has a myriad benefits ranging from acne to anti-aging.  There are so many people that swear by the power of niacinamide, that  it has its own cult following. 
​
Ok, so I must admit I am late to the party. With so many new brands on the market offering products containing niacinamide, I thought I’d give it a try.  Maybe it could help with some of my skincare concerns. So I purchased a niacinamide serum from a reputable brand, and I can attest that after 48 hours of using the product I now see what all the hype is about.

WHAT DOES NIACINAMIDE DO?

• It helps to improves the skin barrier
• Helps repair photo damage caused by sun exposure when using as little as 5% concentrations. 
• Assists in protecting the skin against oxidative stress.  Niacinamide helps to build skin cells and protect them against environmental stressors.
• Minimizes the signs of aging by helping the skin to build collagen.
• Reduces sebum production
• Will help to diminish pores over time due to the regulation of the sebaceous glands. 
• Great for moisture loss  and rehydration.  It actually helps your skin build a  ceramide (lipid) barrier which helps the skin retain moisture.  
• A wonderful skin brightener. Niacinamide can be used for uneven skin tone and discoloration. Studies have shown that niamcinamide may be helpful at lightening dark spots with just 5% concentrations.
• Niacinamide reduces inflammation when used topically.  It can help ease the tenderness of skin and redness associated with conditions such as acne, eczema, and other inflammatory conditions. 
• Helps to smooth the skin and improves skin texture when used over time. 

WHAT ACTIVES WORK WITH NIACINAMIDE?

Niacinamide works well in combination with AHAs, BHAs, hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants (such as vitamin C in the the form of ascorbyl glucoside, not pure vitamin C).

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SEE RESULTS?

According to experts, you should see results  after 2-4 weeks when used on a consistent basis (at least 1-2 times daily). It may even take up to 6 weeks to see the full benefits. Please keep in mind results will vary depending on the concentration of the product, and the severity of your skin concern.

Niacinamide can cause skin irritation when used in high doses.  So its better to start off with a lower concentration and work your way up to avoid problems such as dermatitis and PIH. 

Some studies suggest that niacinamide 5% concentrations are effective at treating  hyper pigmentation and sun damage.  Skincare formulas containing 2% concentrations of niacinamide are excellent at easing the inflammatory symptoms with eczema and similar conditions.

NIACINAMIDE PRODUCTS THAT WORK

I do occasionally  have break outs with one large pimple in the same place, usually just before my menstrual cycle.  Dealing with hyperpigmentation is a problem that plagues me. It normally takes about a month for the hyperpigmentation to subside after the initial breakout.

After hearing much about niacinamide and all it’s wonderful benefits, I decided to give it a try. After careful consideration, I settled on Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster.

shop now

Initial Reaction

I will say that it almost immediately reduced  the inflammation I was experiencing.  After 48 hours of usage applying once daily, I noticed that pimple had reduced in size, and the tenderness/redness had disappeared.

I’m not saying that this is a miracle product.  But there is obviously some truth to the power of niacinamide.  I haven’t experienced any of the other benefits as yet (it’s too early to tell).  But I will keep using this product, and see if the long term benefits bear any fruits.

Post Reaction

This serum definitely refined the texture of my skin to my amazement, after about a week or so. My skin took really well to this product. So, there is definitely some truth to the anti-aging benefits.
 
​After a few weeks of usage, I started to experience some brightening of the skin and a reduction of hyperpigmentation. This serum is formulated with ascorbyl glucoside (a form of vitamin C) which helps boost the brightening effect.

The only thing I didn't like was the consistency and the price point.  The serum is quite watery making it difficult to apply, and very easy to waste product.  The 20ml bottle is priced at about 50€, which I think is a bit excessive.

Would I by this product again? Yes. Overall it's the best niacinamide serum that I've tried.  I've gone on since to try a few others, and they don't measure up. Paula's Choice Niacinamide Booster 10 is definitely my top pick.