It's a name that may not roll off the tip of your tongue, but it should be on your skin! Often an unsung hero, Niacinamide tackles multiple skincare concerns simultaneously to improve the health and beauty of your skin, regardless of your age and skin type.
What is Niacinamide?
A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide (can also be written nicotinic acid) offers multiple benefits, particularly for skin suffering from visible signs of irritation, redness, discomfort and blemishes. Among the benefits is its ability to refine the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, dullness, and congested skin. Niacinamide helps repair UV damage, but in contrast to antioxidants and some other vitamins, Niacinamide is actually very stable in skincare formulations.
Niacinamide is a great skincare ingredient with so many benefits,” explains Dr. Ejikeme, Founder and Medical Director of Award-Winning Adonia Medical Clinic in London. “It is a tyrosinase inhibitor so it can help with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation due to sun damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties so it can be great for inflammation seen in acne. And it increases blood flow to the skin and upregulates ceramides which help improve the skin’s moisture levels. One of my favorite properties of Niacinamide is its antioxidant effects. It helps to prevent free radical damage in the skin.”
Four Benefits of using Niacinamide in your skincare:
•Evens-out pigmentation
Niacinamide reduces the transfer of melanin to the skin, thereby improving the appearance of skin tone. It helps to reduce pigmentation, age spots and melasma, and brighten the skin.
•Boasts anti-inflammatory properties
As we all know the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots arise from long-term UV exposure, As an anti-inflammatory, Niacinamide acts on the DNA damage caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays. It also combats acne and rosacea, while minimising pores.
•Protects the skin barrier and builds its defenses
Niacinamide boosts the skin’s production of ceramics, naturally occurring lipids that help maintain and protect the skin’s barrier. This in turn helps to prevent moisture loss and damage from environmental stressors. When the skin holds moisture it is more elastic and firm, and much less likely to get irritated and inflamed.
•Works as an Antioxidant
It fights the bad guys - the free radicals - to prevent cellular damage caused by oxidation and improve the skin’s ability to fight back.
Product Tip:
Our Magic Eye Mask is a classic in our Cell Shock collection. It's a power brightener, containing 5% Niacinamide, pumpkin enzymes, and probiotics. You can use it as an eye mask overnight, or it can also be used as a daily concealer (a little goes a long way!). It works wonders to erase signs of fatigue and lack of sleep!
Niacinamide is also included in the Cell Shock Age Intelligence Peace Booster. Ideal for sensitive skin, this lightweight, fragrance-free gel-serum soothes and calms, reducing redness and promoting regeneration. It has the ability to address dullness and uneven skin tone, while the Τranexamic Αcid helps correct dark spots and improve pigmentation.