Our skin is the first protective barrier against bacteria and germs, stopping them from invading our body. So caring for our skin not only serves a cosmetic purpose but also protects our internal body from harm.
The most important factor is to protect our skin from the harsh sun. But with all the skincare and sunscreens today, what makes sunscreen with niacinamide so popular? What does it do for our skin health? We’ve got the answers you need! This is your ultimate guide to skincare with niacinamide.
What Affects Our Skin Health
Our skin is influenced by a lot of internal as well as external factors. Internal factors include genetics and hormones. Genetics determine our skin type – normal, dry, oily. Hormones and abrupt changes in their levels can cause acne, hyperpigmentation, and affect the moisture balance of our skin.
External factors can have more damaging effects on our skin. These stem from our environment, like:
• Sunlight
• Extreme Temperature
• Pollution
• Aggressive Products
• Unhealthy Diet
• Irregular Sleep Schedule
Most skincare remedies make sure to target sunlight. It’s one of the most prominent causes that deteriorates the condition of our skin. This is where sunscreen comes in – to protect our skin from harmful sunlight exposure.
Why Sunscreen is Vital for Your Skin
Too much exposure to harsh sunlight can cause damage to our skin. UV radiation from the sun can lead to sunburn, or even skin cancer. The rising pollution in India because of climate changes, construction, and cigarette smoke has adverse effects on our skin barrier. It depletes the skin health and leads to early skin aging, acne, and even skin cancer. A study even shows that sunscreen helps maintain skin radiance and prevent pigmentary disorders in Indian skins.
So, using sunscreens is extremely important to maintain the health of our skin. Sunscreen acts as an additional protective layer over our skin. It prevents toxins, pollutants, germs, and other harmful substances from damaging our skin barrier. So it should not be skipped in your skincare routine. A sunscreen with niacinamide shows the most potential for effectively protecting our skin. But what is niacinamide?
Niacinamide: The Powerhouse Ingredient for Sun Protection
Niacinamide, a variant of vitamin B3, helps support and maintain the health of your cells. It is widely used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce acne and swelling, prevent hyperpigmentation, and overall maintain a healthy skin barrier.
There are several proven niacinamide skin benefits:
1. Reduces Hyperpigmentation: Studies have shown the effects of niacinamide in reducing dark pigmented spots and increasing skin brightness.
2. Smoothening Wrinkles: It also improves the surface structure of aging skin and smoothens wrinkles. In this way, it restores a strong skin barrier.
3. Prevents Damage to Skin Cells: With its antioxidant effects, niacinamide can block harmful particles from causing oxidative damage to our skin cells, which worsens the skin barrier.
4. Proven Efficacy in Skin Protection: Niacinamide is safe to use for skincare and highly compatible with our skin.
Since niacinamide is water-soluble and doesn’t get stored in the body, we need supplements to replenish its amount. Sunscreen with niacinamide is the most effective way to rejuvenate our skin health and protect it from dangerous effects of the sun.
Niacinamide for Every Skin Type
You must be wondering now what the catch is. Is niacinamide good for oily skin? Does niacinamide help with acne? These are common concerns that people may have, especially considering how careful we should be with skincare. But niacinamide overcomes these concerns – it is suitable and works for all skin types.
• Dry Skin: Niacinamide retains moisture, hydrating dry skin. It also helps reinforce the skin’s protective barrier, so the skin itself can improve its hydration and prevent dryness.
• Oily Skin: It regulates oil production. It controls the production of “sebum”, which leads to clogged pores and breakouts in oily skin.
• Acne-Prone Skin: With its anti-inflammatory power, it can reduce the inflammation associated with acne. It is also effective in reducing dark spots, so it diminishes the acne marks and scars.
In this way, niacinamide skin benefits extend to all skin types and address several common skin problems.
The Advent of Korean Skincare
We’ve all witnessed the rise of Korean skincare practices recently. K-skincare is taking over the skin and beauty industry, surpassing other international remedies. It’s made to be lightweight and non-greasy, working well for oily skins. So choosing sunscreen products made with these Korean techniques can be more beneficial for preserving our skin health.
More Sunscreen Basics Broken Down
Ever wondered what SPF and PA stand for on your sunscreen labels? They’re actually both important metrics for understanding the potential of your sunscreen to protect your skin.
SPF
The “Sun Protection Factor” (SPF) of a sunscreen tells you how well it can protect you against harmful UVB rays. These rays are the ones that cause top layer burning, like sunburns. A higher SPF means you can stay out in the sun for longer without the risk of sunburn. So, sunscreens with a higher SPF have a better chance at protecting you from the harsh sun.
• SPF 15: This is the minimum level of sun protection you should opt for. It helps block about 94% of UBV rays.
• SPF 30: This blocks 97% of UVB rays. Ideal for daily use, or when your direct sun exposure might be limited.
• SPF 45: This blocks nearly 98% of the rays. It’s best for when you’re expected to be under the sun for longer, or when the weather is hotter.
• SPF 50: This is slightly better effective than SPF 45, and is ideal for extended outdoor time, like spending the day on the beach.
In this way, the SPF number directly denotes the level of sun protection your sunscreen offers.
PA
This stands for “Protection Grade of UVA”. It’s a Japanese grading system that measures a sunscreen’s protection from UVA rays. We experience UVA rays more commonly than UVB. These rays are more dangerous too, as they cause long-term skin problems. They penetrate deeper into the skin, leading to skin problems like early skin aging, wrinkles, even skin cancer. The PA scores are:
• PA+ : provides only some UVA protection. Suitable for short-term sun exposure.
• PA++ : slightly better UVA protection.
• PA+++ : provides higher protection and is suitable for people with sensitive skin.
• PA++++ : this is the highest level of protection a sunscreen can offer. It can be used in regions with extreme heat or harsh sun exposure.
A higher PA score provides more UVA protection and is recommended for longer periods of sun exposure.
Understanding these elements is key to choosing the best sunscreen for your needs.
Final Thoughts
Good sun protection goes beyond simply blocking harmful rays, it should improve your skin’s overall health. For this, niacinamide is a powerful ingredient that is not only suited to all skin types but also grants more benefits than your regular sunscreen – like reducing pigmentation, controlling oil production, and strengthening the skin barrier. Using sunscreen with niacinamide helps protect your skin effectively while promoting a healthier, stronger, and brighter complexion. So that you’re not just shielding your skin, you’re nourishing it at its core.
FAQs
Q1. Is niacinamide sunscreen good for oily skin?
Niacinamide helps regulate oil production. This way, it prevents clogged pores and oil breakouts. So yes, a niacinamide sunscreen is good for oily skin.
Q2. Is Chicnutrix Block sunscreen good for oily skin?
Yes, Chicnutrix Block sunscreen is good for oily skin as it’s made with niacinamide, which has proven benefits for oily skin by regulating oil production. Its non-greasy and lightweight formula is made to feel good on oily skin.
Q3. Why is niacinamide in sunscreen?
Niacinamide is an effective ingredient in sunscreen that provides other skin benefits apart from sun protection. It prevents skin cell damage and helps strengthen the skin barrier. It also helps fade dark spots and smoothen wrinkles.
Q4. Is niacinamide sunscreen good for dry skin?
Niacinamide helps improve hydration, so niacinamide sunscreen is a good choice for dry skin. It also has effects of strengthening the skin barrier, which helps prevent moisture loss.
Q5. What are the side effects of using niacinamide on your face?
Niacinamide is shown to be compatible with our skin, so it’s considered safe to use, even on the face. However, if it leads to itching, a burning sensation, or redness, you should stop using it. This could suggest some sort of allergic reaction and you should consult your dermatologist about the same.