Niacinamide for acne: what role does it play in our skin’s function, and why is it such a powerful ingredient when it comes to treating acne of all types?
In today’s blog, we discuss all you need to know about niacinamide for treating acne… including which niacinamide products Face 5 recommends incorporating into your daily skin care regimen.
What is Niacinamide?
This water-soluble vitamin is found in multiple common foods including, but not limited to, yeast, fish, most meat, milk, eggs, beans, and fortified cereal grains. Topically, it is generally found in skincare serums. Niacinamide can also be created naturally within the body from the other B vitamin, niacin, and plays a vital role in skin health. It is frequently used as a treatment for acne, eczema, osteoarthritis, and even diabetes.
Niacinamide for acne works by “normalizing” the skin’s pore lining and sebaceous glands, which plays a key role in preventing the build-up of oil and debris. To get more specific, however…
Niacinamide for Acne: Its Many Benefits for the Skin
When it comes to niacinamide for acne, there are multiple benefits. Here are its key functions in both managing and treating acne:
- Helps to restore the skin’s lipid barrier and lock in moisture long-term: The skin’s lipid barrier prevents water loss, protects our skin from infection, and promotes overall healthy skin function. When used topically, niacinamide helps to restore this lipid barrier and seal in moisture long-term to ward off dryness and irritation
- Works to regulate sebum production: As mentioned in the section above, niacinamide works by normalizing the function of the skin’s sebaceous glands and pore lining. Because excess oil can be a trigger for acne of all types, this ability to regulate oil production can, in turn, mitigate acne breakouts
- Fights against environmental damage: Niacinamide, alongside consistent SPF use, can provide extra protection against UV and pollution-related damages by strengthening your skin’s natural antioxidant function
- Minimizes the appearance of redness and general hyperpigmentation: Due to it being a strong anti-inflammatory, topical niacinamide has been shown to reduce the appearance of both redness and general hyperpigmentation
In short, niacinamide is a powerful tool for regulating oil production, warding off environmental damage, managing hyperpigmentation and redness, minimizing pore size, softening fine lines and wrinkles, and even brightening acne-prone skin.
How to Use Niacinamide For Acne
Now that you know about niacinimide’s many uses, it’s time to learn how best to use it in your daily skin care routine.
While niacinamide-based serums are the most common, this water-soluble vitamin can also be found in cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and eye creams. Irritation from it is rare, but, due to different skin types having different tolerances for skin care ingredients, it is advised to come talk to us here at Face 5 before choosing a niacinamide concentration.
When starting with niacinamide, it is recommended to apply one-to-two drops using clean, dry fingers every other day in the AM while your skin is being acclimated to it. It is best applied after cleansing and before the application of your SPF, moisturizer, and any oil-based products.
We personally recommend our acne specialist-approved line of Alpha Serums, which come in concentrations of 5%, 8%, 11%, and 15%. These serums are specially formulated with L-mandelic acid, lactic acid, and, of course, niacinamide, in order to:
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Treat both inflamed and non-inflamed acne
- Calm fungal folliculitis
- Reverse hyperpigmentation
- Brighten the skin
Are you looking to start with niacinamide? Contact Face 5 today to learn how we would recommend using niacinamide for your specific skin type and acne situation.