Niacinamide for skin

Everyone loves a skincare multitasker—an ingredient that makes others perform better and cuts down on serum slathering time (without sacrificing that sought-after glow). And whether you’re a skincare aficionado or simply like to be in the know when it comes to powerhouse ingredients, you’ll want to learn all the niacinamide benefits the ingredient has to offer. Here, experts break down its ease of use, gentle nature, and major skin benefits. What is Niacinamide? Niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) is a form of vitamin B3. “This is also called niacin, which is an essential nutrient for the development and function of the cells in your body,” says But benefits abound when you smooth the vitamin onto your skin. “Much like cells in your body use B3 to improve their functions, the skin utilizes it to optimize various processes, such as to repair damaged DNA, regenerate cellular energy, and reduce the effects of UV rays from the sun,” explains Dr. Gonzalez. Niacinamide benefits Niacinamide offers plenty of restorative perks from the inside out, but it can bring a special new buoyancy to skin. It improves tone and fades dark spots. If you have dark patches, sun damage, or A 2016 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology looked at a product containing a cocktail of skin brighteners, including It calms angry acne. Niacinamide may help What’s more, it’s known as an anti-inflammatory, which makes it ideal for calming acne spots and minimizing redness. Plus, It fights off harm...

Scientists theorize that niacinamide may be effective in skin-care products because it’s a precursor to two super-important co-enzymes within your cells: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+). Both of these molecules are central to the chemical reactions that your cells—including skin cells—need to repair damage, reproduce, and function normally. Many of these essential reactions can’t occur at all without NAD+, which your cells can’t make without niacinamide. 1 By giving your body niacinamide, the theory is that it allows you to make more NAD+, In other (less confusing) words, the ability to potentially help your body create more NAD+ and, therefore, repair damage is thought to be the root of niacinamide’s potential skin-care benefits in both topical and even potentially supplement form. There’s also 2 All of this is probably why you’re seeing niacinamide listed in a bunch of skin-care products. What does niacinamide do for your skin? If niacinamide is involved in most important cell functions, then there’s nothing it can’t cure, right? Well, no—if every cellular process in our bodies could be perfected with vitamin supplements, we wouldn’t need antibiotics or radiation therapy. That said, oral and topical niacinamide may have some actual benefits for skin health: Skin cancer prevention: Ask a dermatologist what niacinamide does best, and the very first niacinamide benefit they’ll list is probably “skin cance...

× This article is based on scientific evidence, written by Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Niacinamide Benefits for Skin + Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & More By Annie Price, CHHC March 19, 2020 • • • • • • If you look at the ingredients in your current moisturizer, don’t be surprised to find “niacinamide” listed. Not to be confused with Niacinamide also has the ability to generally improve the There are also products that can be taken internally for a variety of health concerns. What Is Niacinamide? Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, which can be found in foods as well as supplements. It’s also called nicotinamide. It can naturally be obtained from foods like meat, fish, eggs, milk, beans, green vegetables and cereal grains. Ad This form of B3 is not the same as niacin, which is the other main form of vitamin B3. A common While niacinamide does not cause a The human body needs it to maintain healthy function of sugars and fats in the body. It’s also utilized for general cellular health. In addition to getting this nutrient from foods and supple...