Ingredient Spotlight: Niacinamide

Clinical research supports the skin-enhancing benefits of Niacinamide for most skin conditions – acne, dryness, loss of elasticity, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, textural irregularities and enlarged pores. A derivative of vitamin B3, topical Niacinamide delivers the co-enzymes necessary for cellular energy production, which naturally declines with the aging process, as well as delivering antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and melanin-suppressing benefits.  

Don’t take my word on the matter, review the studies and decide for yourself.

• Acne:  Niacinamide Gel (4%) outperformed a topical antibiotic by 14% in improving moderate acne.
• Rosacea:  77% of the participants treated with a metabolite of Niacinamide (1-methylnicotinamide) achieved improvement of Rosacea, a condition associated with excessive skin redness, irritability, sensitivity and inflammation.
• Dryness:  Topical application of Niacinamide increased ceramide and free fatty acid levels in the stratum corneum by 500%, decreasing transepidermal water loss.
• Reparative:  Antioxidant benefits of Niacinamide repairs UV-induced DNA damage.
• Hyperpigmentation:  A 5% Niacinamide moisturizer reduced hyperpigmentation by an average of 52%.
• Wrinkles: Niacinamide outperformed tretinoin, also known as Retin-A, by 17%, in smoothing wrinkles and crepeyiness.

Any drawbacks to this magic bullet?  Niacinamide should never be used in combination with any other compound that is likely to alter the pH balance, like Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), alpha-hydroxy or beta-hydroxy.  A significant change to the ph may result in the uncomfortable flushing and or tingling typically associated with excessive niacin intake. Additionally, the optimal performance of Niacinamide requires a pH of 6 with a minimum potency of 3%. Learn more about the geeky details of  mixing Niacinamide and Ascorbic Acid, also known as Niacinamide Ascorbate.