Niacinamide B3 Skincare Game Changer
Niacinamide products are everywhere in the beauty world, and they’re more powerful than you could imagine. We spoke to Beauty Therapist Natalie Sellars about this powerful ingredient and why it’s a must-have in your beauty cupboard.
For 20 years, Sellars has honed her craft as a skincare doyenne, having worked and managed leading spas in Australia and New Zealand. In the last three years, Sellars started focusing on the products she uses during facials, sparking her new passion for skincare ingredients. In other words? She knows skin!
What are the key Niacinamide benefits for your skin?
Niacinamide (also known as Vitamin B3) is a multi-tasker, acting as a solution for everything from hormonal breakouts to dryness. It's truly amazing how much it can do.
Skin expert Paula Begoun agrees, telling Marie Claire: “Topically, niacinamide has so many ways to help skin it’s really mind-boggling. Decades of research has shown niacinamide works to protect skin from environmental damage, especially sun damage, and also helps skin make vital substances it needs.”
In a nutshell, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) can:
- Improve skin’s hydration
- Brighten skin tone
- Fade hyperpigmentation
- Shrink pore size
- Decrease blackheads
- Strengthen the skin barrier
- Fight the signs of aging
- Reduce inflammation and redness
- Protect from environmental damage
- Strengthen skin and improve your natural production of skin-strengthening ceramides
Dr. Monica Li, a dermatologist and clinical instructor in the Department of Dermatology & Skin Science at UBC explained these mechanisms to CBC. She said niacinamide can reduce inflammation that may manifest as dry, irritated and flaky skin. This happens by: "Increasing natural lipids found on the skin surface and reducing water loss."
Sounds good right? While Niacinamide may be the power ingredient you need in skincare, it helps to understand how it works so well.
Are Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) products for all ages?
Absolutely. Skin pro Natalie Sellars uses Vitamin B3 in facials for people of all ages.
“It's a great ingredient to help support skin with acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and for anyone over 30, it's great to help prevent premature ageing.”
Niacin is found in food, but it doesn’t easily make its way to your skin
Niacinamide benefits are enhanced in serums
“It is most effective in mists and serums where it can really penetrate and treat the skin, however, you’ll also see it in mists and cleansers, too,” says Sellars.
How to incorporate Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide products) into your skincare routine
Introduce vitamin B3 in a way that works best for your skin. The beauty of B3 is it is universally suited to all skin types.
Pro-tips for using Niacinamide products
1. Layer them. Sellars says it's all about using the right products for different layers of your skin:
Use a cleanser and a serum that has B3 in it as well as antioxidants, AHAs, Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to get the most out of this standout ingredient.
2. Keep Potency in Mind: Using high concentrations can cause skin irritation. Dermatology specialist Dr Li says:
Science tells us 5% is the optimal for achieving desired effects.
If B3 is in a cleanser, how long do you need to leave it on so it works?
Sellars cleansing tip is: “When using cleanser (like with any botanicals and actives) massage into the skin for at least 60 seconds to receive the benefits. If needed double cleanse.”
Niacinamide may be the best new ingredient in your skincare arsenal, and now is the time. Whether you’re struggling with hormonal issues, patch dryness or fluctuations in your skin, Vitamin B3 could be the answer you’ve been looking for.
Do you have any questions about Vitamin B3? We can help! Contact us
