What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is more commonly known as vitamin B3, and is coveted in the beauty world for its versatility and ability to boost the skin’s natural barrier, which aids in the daily battle against damaging environmental aggressors.
What are the benefits of niacinamide?
- Improves Uneven Skin Tone. Water soluble, niacinamide’s remarkable qualities can actually help restore the skin’s surface, protecting against dehydrating moisture loss and assisting in the production of ceramides (which are lost over time), this in turn can improve uneven skin tone.
- Minimises Pores. Helps to visibly minimise large pores and banish dullness. Sun damage can also cause pores to become ‘loose’. It is thought that niacinamide helps pores shrink back their original size by boosting the skin’s structural support.
- Lighten Dark Spots & Reduces Signs of Sun Damage. Higher concentrations around 5% are thought to help lighten dark spots, as well the reduce some of the signs of sun damage that come with ageing, such as blurring fine lines and wrinkles.
- Brighten Dull Skin & Protects Against Environmental Damage. The daily impact of city life – pollution, fluctuating temperatures and environments are essentially an attack on the skin which in turn can dull radiance and give skin a more aged, lacklustre appearance. The use of niacinamide helps repair these signs of damage and actively plays a part in protecting and defending the skin against the world around us.
- Reduces Puffy Eyes, Dark Circles & Reduces Appearance of Wrinkles. The eye area often bears the brunt of our daily life – and is the first to show signs of fatigue and stress. Products containing niacinamide can help soften and blur the appearance of wrinkles around this area, in particular, crow’s feet, which become more pronounced as we get older. The moisture-retaining qualities can also have a beneficial effect on puffy bags and dark circles – which make ideal for both day and night eye routines.
- Reduces Redness & Blemishes. At 2% concentration it is believed to effectively tackle redness from blemishes, helping it to fade at a quicker rate
How to use niacinamide?
A versatile addition to any skincare routine – its benefits have been noted across various skincare concerns AND skin types – including sensitive and those prone to redness. It’s compatibility with other retinol products as well as hyaluronic acid, exfoliating AHAs, brightening vitamin c and skin-loving ingredients mean it truly is a must-have addition to your beauty regime.
One skin type in particular has been known to actually benefit from the use of this vitamin – dry skin. Niacinamide works in harmony with various skincare ingredients and it is thought to be particularly good at enhancing the hydrating elements of moisturisers, such as glycerine, when applied on top of the skin. By preventing moisture loss, it directly tackles the issue of dry and flaky skin – making it a must for the winter season. Not only does it work wonders on dry skin – at 2% concentration it is believed to effectively tackle redness from blemishes, making it ideal for those with oily complexions.
At No7 we have combined niacinamide to support the skin’s natural moisture barrier with bisabolol to help skin feel soothed. This soothing combination is incorporated in our Pure Retinol 1% Retinol Night Concentrate and Pure Retinol Post Retinol Soother. This combination is a perfect partner to retinol, boosting tolerance to retinol by ensuring skin is deeply moisturised.
