Learn how to use Niacinamide for skin

All you need to know about Niacinamide

WHAT IS NIACINAMIDE AND HOW TO USE IT

Benefits of Niacinamide for skin include preventing signs of ageing, calming irritation & providing hydration.
Discover NIVEA’s advice on the most effective ways to use it in your skincare routine.

WHAT IS NIACINAMIDE?

Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble B vitamin that plays an important role in many aspects of your vital bodily functions, such as digestion and brain function.
The skin also benefits from Niacinamide use, here’s how:

What does Niacinamide do for skin?

Niacinamide effects on skin:

Restores the Skin’s Protective Barrier

Niacinamide has been known to strengthen the skin’s defensive barrier function, it builds proteins in the skin and locks in moisture to keep environmental stressors such as pollution and UV rays out (alway use it with sunscreen for the best protection).
Anti-Ageing

Due to Niacinamide’s ability to help your body build keratin (a protein that helps keep skin looking firm and youthful), it is helpful in reducing some signs of ageing. These include: fine lines, wrinkles and skin discoloration.
Reduces Hyperpigmentation

Niacinamide boosts skin brightness by reducing the production of melanin, which is what causes dark spots. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect, which may help ease redness from from inflammatory skin conditions such as acne
Helps with Acne

Niacinamide can help regulate the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce, preventing them from going into overdrive. Excess oil and dead skin cells can block your pores. This build-up promotes bacterial growth which in turn leads to spots.

IS NIACINAMIDE GOOD FOR ACNE?

Absolutely - Niacinamide’s ability to regulate oil and sebum production, helps prevent and minimise breakouts, especially helpful for oily and acne prone skin.

Due to its calming and anti-inflammatory properties Niacinamide can be used alongside many acne treatments, for added visible skin benefits such as improved texture and relieved redness.

When treating acne, it is common to use harsh products that strip the skin protective barrier. Using Niacinamide can help restore the skin’s protective barrier, leaving it looking and feeling healthy.

However Niacinamide is not a treatment for acne on its own. For persistent acne-related conditions, speak to your doctor regarding treatment options.

CAN NIACINAMIDE CAUSE SKIN PURGING?

Skin purging is a result of increased skin cell turnover rate, caused by an ingredient or product such as exfoliating acid. It’s a part of the process where all the extra sebum and impurities are coming on the skin’s surface causing acne or dry patches.
Niacinamide is a mild skincare ingredient that doesn't cause skin purging or provoke acne. It is suitable even for sensitive skin.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO USE NIACINAMIDE

Niacinamide is a very versatile ingredient as it is suitable for all skin types.

In order to get the most benefit from Niacinamide, it is advised to apply it topically on clean skin, in the form of a face cream, toner, face wash, peeling solution, or serum.

Try the innovative NIVEA Derma Clear Skin Exfoliator that comes with a highly concentrated formulation with Salicylic & Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide. It stimulates the removal and renewal of old, damaged skin cells and clears out pores - proven to visibly reduce blemishes and prevent their reappearance.

If you have sensitive skin, make sure to double check with your doctor before trying out a new product.

NIVEA Derma Clear Skin Exfoliator

When to use Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is suitable to be applied at any time of day.
The order in which you are applying Niacinamide in conjunction with your other skin care products, depends on the products that you are using.
It is advised to apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency for optimal absorption.
Face wash - serum - oils - moisturiser (with SPF if it's daytime).

At what age should you start using Niacinamide?

Thanks to various properties, Niacinamide can be used to help target common skin concerns during any stage of life.

IS NIACINAMIDE GOOD FOR DRY SKIN?

Regular use of Niacinamide has been shown to boost the hydrating properties of moisturisers, making skin more resistant to moisture loss by locking it in.
Along with hydrating properties, it has a calming effect on skin, making it a good choice for those with dry skin.

HOW LONG UNTIL I CAN SEE THE RESULTS?

Studies show that even though you may find improvement immediately after starting using Niacinamide, it will usually take up to 8-12 weeks for visible changes.

Niacinamide and other ingredients

Niacinamide can be used in combination with various ingredients and products without causing irritation (depending on the concentration levels).

Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid:

Salicylic Acid is a chemical exfoliant and the most well-known BHA or beta-hydroxy acid.

Although Salicylic Acid and niacinamide are effective on their own, there are collaborative benefits from using them together in your routine.

Being a chemical exfoliant, Salicylic Acid can make your skin feel dry, this is where Niacinamide can help to balance any side effects from the acid by increasing your skin’s ability to retain moisture, restore the skin barrier and reduce redness.

NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Toner has been carefully created using Niacinamide and Salicylic acid to meet the needs of blemish-prone skin. It rebalances the skin and hydrates it without clogging pores. You can see a visible skin improvement in just 7 days.

Niacinamide and Vitamin C:

Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid is an antioxidant best known for its ability to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, while also brightening the skin.
When combining Vitamin C with Niacinamide in your skin care routine, you are using a powerful duo for skin tone, brightening and radiance.

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid:

Hyaluronic Acid, also known as Hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body, mostly in your skin, eyes, joints. Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated. Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide are both water-based ingredients that complement each other’s hydrating effects and can be used together to give your skin a rejuvenated and youthful look, perfect combination for dry skin.

Niacinamide and Retinol:

Retinol is an over-the-counter form of Retinoid or Vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient your body needs for immunity, vision, and cellular communication.
Retinol is a strong ingredient which can give irritation especially when used the first time, Using Retinol with Niacinamide, helps benefit from retinol with fewer side effects as Niacinamide calms and protects the skin.

ADD NIACINAMIDE TO YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Now that you know about Niacinamide effects on skin, start benefiting from it with the innovative NIVEA Acne Range.

This anti blemish Face Cleansing range works with the skin by activating skin‘s renewal process, eliminating dead skin cells and preventing the appearance of blemishes. Combining 8% Salicylic & Glycolic Acid with Niacinamide, these products were created to support acne prone skin, while improving skin’s protective barrier.

Enjoy visibly clearer skin in only 7 days.

Explore NIVEA Acne Products