Curious if this ingredient has a place in your skin-care regimen? Read on to find out what you need to know about this beauty booster. “Even though niacinamide is water-soluble, and theoretically it can be peed out if you take too much, there’s still a risk of liver toxicity with oral intake,” Nazarian explains. If you do want to take a niacinamide supplement, don’t take more than is contained in a multivitamin unless instructed by your physician, she says.
“When used topically, niacinamide can improve skin hydration by preventing evaporation of moisture from the skin into the environment. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient, so it’s great for calming irritated skin but also good for people with sensitive skin,” says Nazarian. In addition, niacinamide helps prevent premature signs of skin aging, including boosting collagen production to smooth wrinkles and reduce discolorations, says Nazarian. She recommends the ingredient for people with dry, sensitive, aging, or acne-prone skin.
Also, take a look at which other active ingredients a niacinamide product contains. Chen explains that you can often find niacinamide paired with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). “AHAs exfoliate dead skin cells that make it easier for niacinamide to effectively penetrate,” she says. Nazarian advises that other great couplings for niacinamide are hyaluronic acid (both ingredients relieve dryness) and salicylic acid. Salicylic acid treats acne and keeps pores clear, while niacinamide may regulate oil production in skin and reduce inflammation. You can apply niacinamide products in the morning or at night. Nazarian prefers frequent use of niacinamide. “I recommend both daily and nighttime use of this ingredient due to the multiple skin-care concerns it addresses,” she says. You can use it in sunscreen, moisturizer, and overnight cream, for instance. Once you’ve decided on a skin-care product containing niacinamide, it’s worth performing a spot test to determine whether your skin agrees with this ingredient. Apply a small amount of the product to a small patch of skin and watch for any adverse reaction. “Generally, someone can determine whether they are sensitive to a product within the first few days of use,” says Nazarian. Do this with any new product, especially if you have sensitive skin and are therefore more prone to an allergic response, she advises. Niacinamide is versatile and generally works well with most ingredients, which is why you can often find it paired with a variety of other actives that fight premature skin aging.
