Niacinamide is one of my favourite ingredients in skincare, simply because it performs so many positive actions within the skin. If you do not have Niacinamide in your current regime I highly recommend you introduce it. Here’s why I love it so ….
Niacinamide decreases yellowing and ageing of the skin.
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are harmful compounds that are formed when proteins or fat combine with sugar in the bloodstream. This process is called glycation. High levels of AGEs cause inflammation and oxidative stress. High levels of AGEs are a contributor to premature ageing; your body cannot keep up with processing them when the levels are high in the body. Niacinamide through its amazing antioxidant capabilities plays a key role in inhibiting these processes in the skin. As a result, Niacinamide slows the oxidation and processes that prematurely age our skin.
Niacinamide for a strong skin barrier
The first thing I check when I see new clients for a consultation is – check their skin barrier.
Is it intact or impaired? An impaired barrier can cause all sorts of skin irritations and is one of the first things I work to correcting. Acne, eczema, irritations and sensitive skin all need a little TLC when it comes to the skin barrier. Niacinamide improves barrier function which will result in less irritation when the skin encounters environmental insults and hence less redness.
You're fine line and wrinkle smoothing weapon
We’ve all hear how fabulous Vitamin A is, but B3 or Niacinamide has some serious punch when it comes to collagen synthesis. Niacinamide assists in the structural support of the skin or the skin scaffolding as I like to call it.
If you have pigment – you gotta have Niacinamide daily
Unlike some skin brighteners, this one will not irritate, dry the skin or cause any sensitivities at all. Actually whilst improving sensitivities Niacinamide reduces pigment from transferring from the pigment-producing cell to the skin cells. One study showed that a 5% niacinamide moisturiser provided 35–68 percent inhibition of melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes. But remember if you are exposing your face to the sun, pigment gets excited very quickly and your pursuit of an even skin tone will be squashed if you don’t refrain from tanning the ol face!
A serious antioxidant to boot
Niacinamide increases cellular energy. A cell that abundant in cellular energy performs optimally, a sluggish, low energy cell struggles to complete its daily tasks. B3 will give your cells an energy boost so it can perform the best it can.
An easy way to incorporate Niacinamide into your daily routine is to add a sprinkle of Cosmedix B Complex Boosting Powder. Mix a few shakes of B Complex Vitamin B Boosting Powder with your favourite serum. Follow with moisturiser and SPF in the morning.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921764/
If you would like to use a serum that contains Niacinamide, the Skin Matrix IQ Serum contains 17% B3 along with 5% Vitamin C (and skin proteins) to provide your skin with all the key and powerful ingredients it requires for skin brightening, pro healthy skin ageing, skin regeneration and strong resilient skin.
Have a question on how you can incorporate Niacinamide into your skincare routine?
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