CANTIKA.COM, Jakarta – Niacinamide perhaps not as popular as ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, but this skincare ingredient superstar is an unsung hero who deserves an equal amount of praise. Niacinamide is by definition multitaskingoffers a different set of benefits for different types skin and skin problems.
Simply put, niacinamide is a B vitamin, one of two forms of vitamin B3 that has many important cellular functions in the skin, explains Gretchen Frieling, MD, a triple-commission certified dermatologist in the Boston area.
Benefits of niacinamide for skin
Get ready, because this is a long list. Niacinamide is a great choice for those who have it pimple-prone skin.
“Niacinamide reduces sebum production, which can help prevent acne and also reduce shine,” says Kenneth Howe, MD, a UnionDerm board-certified dermatologist in New York, USA. This vitamin is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects, which are helpful for treating acne and conditions like eczema, adds Dr. Sparkling.
Niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier, another huge benefit for eczema sufferers and sensitive skin, according to the two experts. Niacinamide is also a lightening agent of choice, fighting hyperpigmentation by blocking the transfer of pigment from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) to skin cells on the surface where discoloration is visible, says Dr. How.
There is also some data to suggest that niacinamide may help reduce wrinkles and anti-aging by ensuring proper cell function and helping repair DNA damage.
Can you mix niacinamide with retinol?
The answer is yes. In fact, dermatologists say that retinol and niacinamide are a recommended combination for faster results. In addition to being soothing, niacinamide can also combat the negative side effects and irritation that often accompany the anti-wrinkle wonders of retinol.
Can niacinamide be mixed with other ingredients?
As a general guideline, yes, that’s why this ingredient is found in so many skincare products and why it’s quite easy to incorporate into existing beauty routines. Niacinamide is often paired with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that’s a mainstay in acne products, says Dr. Sparkling.
Possessing anti-inflammatory and skin barrier-strengthening effects, niacinamide is also good paired with alpha-hydroxy acids, chemical exfoliants that can potentially irritate the skin. The combination of these also increases the effectiveness of niacinamide, since AHAs exfoliate dead skin cells that might otherwise make it more difficult for niacinamide to penetrate effectively, says Dr. Sparkling.
Niacinamide is also often paired with hyaluronic acid, which can help reduce dryness, adds Dr. Sparkling.
If you’re using a product that contains both vitamin C and niacinamide, chances are the product has been specially formulated so that the two work together. But if you’re using two different products with these ingredients, wait 15 minutes between applications or save one for morning use and the other for evening use.
Should I use niacinamide?
In short, yes. One of the great things about niacinamide is not only the many benefits it offers, but also the fact that it’s relatively well-tolerated, even by those with sensitive skin, says Dr. How. This makes it a great alternative for those whose skin may not cope with traditional acne or lightening agents, such as benzoyl peroxide or retinoids.
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Read also: Serum recommendations for rough skin, choose those that contain niacinamide
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