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Niacinamide for Skin Health: What Percentage is Effective for the Skin?

Published : May 23, 2024 5 mins read Updated On : Sep 19, 2024

All women want healthy and glowing skin. One of the best ingredients that can help women achieve glowing clear skin without any dark spots is niacinamide. Imagine niacinamide as a skilful fixer of your dull and dark skin. Niacinamide benefits the skin by enhancing barrier function, reducing inflammation, minimizing pore size, regulating oil production, improving hydration, and diminishing hyperpigmentation and fine lines, resulting in a smoother, brighter, and more even complexion.

There are multiple niacinamide skincare products available in the market with various concentrations of niacinamide. It is important to choose the right concentration of niacinamide to get the maximum benefits of this amazing ingredient. In this blog we will guide you to understand what the best concentration of niacinamide is and how to choose the best niacinamide serum for your skin.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also referred to as nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3, a water-soluble vitamin essential for skin health. It is best known for its soothing properties and reducing dark spots. Many people confuse niacinamide with other vitamin B niacin however they are not the same. Studies have suggested that vitamin B3 works best when applied topically.

Niacinamide has become a popular ingredient in skincare supplements like creams, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens.

Benefits of Niacinamide Serum

¢ Helps to Reduce Dark Spots

Niacinamide helps inhibit the transfer of melanosomes to skin cells, which can reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Infact, Niacinamide for pigmentation is the most common use of niacinamide serum. Studies show that topical application of niacinamide can significantly improve skin tone and fade dark spots over time (1).

¢ Helps to Soothe Redness and Skin Irritation

Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and irritation, making it beneficial for conditions like acne, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin issues. It strengthens the skin barrier, which can also help soothe and protect sensitive skin (2).

¢ Maintains a Balance Complexation

Niacinamide helps regulate sebum production, which can reduce excess oiliness and prevent dry skin, leading to a more balanced complexion (3).

¢ Helps to Boost Hydration and Minimizes Fine Lines

Niacinamide enhances the skin's barrier function by increasing ceramide and free fatty acid levels in the skin. This improved barrier function reduces water loss and boosts hydration. Increased hydration can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (4).

¢ Helps to Reduce Large Pores

By regulating sebum production and improving skin elasticity, niacinamide can reduce the appearance of large pores. Niacinamide also strengthens the skin barrier which can help pores appear smaller. It helps smooth the skin's texture, making pores less noticeable (5).

¢ Helps to Brighten Your Skin

Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanin within the skin, which helps reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leading to a brighter and more even skin tone (6).

¢ Helps Provide Anti-inflammatory Properties

The anti-inflammatory properties of niacinamide help to reduce inflammation that can lead to breakouts and flare-ups. This anti-inflammatory property of niacinamide helps to calm irritation, redness, acne and other inflammatory skin conditions.

What is the Best Concentration of Niacinamide?

It is important to choose the right concentration of niacinamide as more is not always good. Many scientific studies have shown that a 2%-5% concentration of niacinamide in topical serums is ideal. However, the best concentration of niacinamide according to many experts is 2%. There are various scientific studies backing this claim. Let's understand with the help of these studies.

¢ Sebum Regulation

A study was conducted to measure the Sebum Excretion Rate (SER) in 100 participants. Participants were divided into two groups of 50. The first group was treated with 2% niacinamide serum while the second group was given the placebo. The SER was measured in intervals of 2 weeks and 4 weeks.

The results showed that there was no difference in the control group, people who used 2% niacinamide showed a significant reduction in SER rate after 4 weeks (7).

¢ Treating Fine Lines

Research focused on treating fine lines found that a 2% concentration was highly effective in using fine lines and hyperpigmentation. This concentration has been linked to a significant reduction in hyperpigmentation and an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making it an excellent choice for addressing signs of sun damage and ageing (8).

¢ Dark Spot Treatment

Another study found that 2% niacinamide concentration was effective in reducing facial hyperpigmentation. Using niacinamide in your skincare routine alongside sunscreen has the potential to address pigmentation concerns and promote a more even skin tone (9).

How Long Does Niacinamide Serum Take to Work?

Niacinamide serum typically begins to show visible results within 4 to 12 weeks of consistent use. Improvements in skin texture, hydration, and reduction of inflammation can often be seen in the first few weeks. For more significant changes like reduced hyperpigmentation, minimizing fine lines, and smaller pores, it may take 8 to 12 weeks (about 3 months) of regular application. Individual results can vary based on factors such as skin type, the concentration of niacinamide, and overall skincare routine.

How to Incorporate Niacinamide in Daily Skincare Routine?

¢ Cleanse

Cleanse your face to remove dirt, oil, or makeup. Make sure you use a gentle cleanser that does not remove your skin's natural oils.

¢ Tone

Use a toner to balance your skin's pH after cleansing

¢ Serum

Apply the best niacinamide serum to your face. As we discussed in this blog it is best to use niacinamide serum with 2% niacinamide.

¢ Mositurise

End your skincare routine by applying moisturiser. Because niacinamide can help improve skin barrier function, using a moisturizer will help lock in the serum's benefits.

¢ Sunscreen

You can use a sunscreen with SPS 30 or higher to protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.

Conclusion

Niacinamide is a key ingredient in many topical skincare serums. However, choosing the right concentration of niacinamide is crucial for your skin. Multiple research has demonstrated that 2% niacinamide is the ideal concentration for the skin. 2% niacinamide was found to be the best for all types of skin. So next time you buy a niacinamide serum or other beauty serum with niacinamide make sure you choose the one with 2% niacinamide.

FAQs

1. What percentage of niacinamide is best for the skin?

According to research, 2% of niacinamide is best for the skin.

2. Which brand of niacinamide is best?

Chicnutrix Outshine is the best niacinamide serum in India.

3. What not to mix with niacinamide?

Avoid mixing niacinamide with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).

4. Is niacinamide stronger than vitamin C?

Niacinamide is a little milder than vitamin C, but it also depends on the concentration of niacinamide and vitamin C in a skincare supplement.

author
Soumil Vartak
Health and Fitness enthusiast

Soumil is really passionate about health and fitness. He provides great insight on various trends about health and fitness. By writing about these topics he try to provide key insight on diet and e... Read More

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