What Is Niacinamide Serum? Do You Need It? Find Out Here

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Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, which is an essential nutrient that the skin needs. So what is niacinamide serum? 

Niacinamide serum is a liquid formula that contains an ingredient called niacinamide. It works effectively to brighten the skin, reduce and prevent aging signs and reduce acne breakouts. 

If you are looking to brighten your skin to even your skin tone, a niacinamide serum is a good addition to your skincare routine. Read ahead to find out more information about niacinamide serum, what it does, and how to use it on the skin.

What Does Niacinamide Serum Do?

Niacinamide is known to benefit the skin in various ways when it is applied topically. Niacinamide helps to treat acne, and eczema and also works effectively to reduce aging signs. It helps to smoothen the surface of the skin while also working to improve the tone. 

Niacinamide can help reduce the appearance of dark spots, aging spots, sun spots, and other forms of hyperpigmentation on the skin. Using niacinamide on your skin works speedingly to lighten the skin in a matter of weeks. 

It also helps to promote the production of collagen, elastin, and ceramides in the skin. These are vital components of the skin that keep the skin firm and smooth.

This product helps to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier to help the skin retain its moisture by preventing water loss. 

Using niacinamide serum on your skin may also help to regulate oil production in the skin. This prevents oil from secreting into the pores to block the pores. Therefore, the use of this serum may help to prevent acne breakouts. 

In addition, it contains antioxidant properties that can help to protect the skin from free radicals and environmental damage. Using the product will help to reduce skin redness and blotchiness, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Topical use of niacinamide has also been shown to decrease skin redness and blotchiness. Moreover, it can be used on all skin types without causing irritations or harsh side effects. In summary, niacinamide serum helps to:

  • Retain moisture in the skin by preventing water loss from the skin.
  • Increase the production of keratin and elastin in the skin—protein fibers that keep the skin healthy and firm.
  • Stimulate the production of ceramide in the skin cells to protect and strengthen the skin barrier.
  • Reduce and soothe inflammations like redness and blotchiness.
  • Shrinks pores.
  • Regulates oil production in the sebaceous glands.
  • Fades hyperpigmentation.
  • Protects the skin against sun damage.
  • Reduce the appearance of aging signs.
  • Protects the skin from environmental stresses, such as sun UV rays, pollution, and toxins.

When Should You Apply Niacinamide Serum?

You can use your niacinamide serum in the morning or at night before bed. Using niacinamide in the morning can help to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. 

Most premature aging skin happens as a result of exposing the skin to the sun. This can be prevented by using niacinamide in your morning skincare routine before heading out. 

Renowned skincare entrepreneur, Paula Begoun says that research has confirmed that niacinamide help to protect the skin from the inflammation the sun’s ultraviolet radiations cause on the skin. 

Applying niacinamide serum to your skin alongside sunscreen will help to repair your skin while protecting it from further damage. Therefore, it is best to use your niacinamide serum in your morning skincare routine.

Can You Use Niacinamide With Retinol?

You can use your niacinamide serum with retinol to achieve a significant improvement in the appearance of your skin. 

Since niacinamide has soothing properties that can help to relieve inflammation and irritation, it will work well to minimize the side effects of using retinol serum on the skin.  Additionally, they can work hand in hand to solve your skin aging problems.

Apply your niacinamide serum on your skin first before using retinol serum. This will help to reduce the dry effect of retinol and the risk of other side effects. 

Can You Use Niacinamide Serum Everyday?

Yes, you can use niacinamide serum on your skin every day. This is because niacinamide is a gentle ingredient and can be tolerated by most.

You can use your niacinamide as often as in your morning and evening skincare routine without risks of side effects. 

How to Apply Niacinamide Serum

Patch test

Before you begin to use niacinamide serum in your skincare routine, be sure to carry out a patch test to check for allergic reactions. Do that by applying a little amount of the serum on your forearm and waiting a whole day. 

If you notice reactions like redness, swelling, and other reactions, don’t continue to use the serum. If you don’t experience any side effects or reactions, you can continue using the serum on your skin. Follow the guide below to apply the serum properly in your routine. 

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser

Rinse your face with warm water and take out the proper amount of cleanser to wash your face. Rub your hand together to later the cleanser and rub it all over your face. After that, use lukewarm water to wash the cleanser off your skin. 

Doing this will remove dirt from your skin and allow the ingredient to penetrate better into your skin.

Pat your skin dry with a towel

Use a clean soft towel to pat water away from your skin. While you do this, avoid rubbing or scrubbing your skin with the towel. Doing so will cause dryness and even irritate your skin. 

Ensure that the towel you use for this process is clean, as this will prevent dirt from getting back on your skin after washing it.

Apply the niacinamide serum

Take out the dropper from the bottle of your niacinamide serum and squeeze out two drops of the serum into your palm. Rub your palms together to warm up the ingredient and start applying them to your face.

Do not apply with too much pressure and avoid using too much of the serum as that can irritate your skin.

Rub the serum all over your skin

Use your fingertips to distribute the serum all over your face making sure you cover all areas. While you do this, avoid the areas around your eyes as it is too sensitive for the serum.

Apply your moisturizer

After applying your niacinamide serum, apply a gentle moisturizer to help retain moisture on your skin, preventing water loss. Ensure that your moisturizer contains non-comedogenic ingredients and is hypoallergenic.

You can also use a moisturizer that contains sunscreen to protect your skin from damage. If not, apply sunscreen immediately after moisturizing your skin.

How Is Niacinamide Different From Niacin?

Niacin, like niacinamide, belongs to the vitamin B-complex group. These are vitamins that work to stimulate metabolic reactions in the body. 

However, the two ingredients are different. Niacin is a form of vitamin B3 that helps with the development and growth of the body. Meanwhile, niacinamide is one of the two major forms of niacin that helps with improving skin cells and energy metabolism.

Is Niacinamide Serum Drying?

No, it isn’t. Niacinamide serum is not drying at all; instead, it helps to boost hydrating in the skin. 

Applying niacinamide in the skincare routine will help to retain moisture to the skin and it also helps to prevent water loss in the skin. This prevents dryness, flakiness, and tightness of the skin. 

However, you may experience dryness as a side effect of using high concentrations of niacinamide serum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is niacinamide serum good for acne?

Yes, it is. Niacinamide contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and redness because these properties work to reduce reactions associated with acne.

It also works to regulate the amount of production of excess oil in the skin.

Is niacinamide serum good for sensitive skin?

Yes, it is. Niacinamide serum is good to use on sensitive skin as it does not irritate the skin. 

Niacinamide contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe inflammation on sensitive. It can also be used on skin with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea.

Should you apply moisturizer after niacinamide?

Yes, you should. You should always apply moisturizer after using niacinamide in your skincare routine. 

Start by cleansing and toning your face, then apply your niacinamide serum. Ensure you moisturize after to prevent dryness and seal in hydration on the skin.

Conclusion

Niacinamide serum is one of the best skincare products to use in a skincare routine as it works on all skin types without causing irritations or unwanted side effects. 

Using niacinamide serum in your skincare routine will help to protect, nourish, revitalize the skin cells and prevent aging signs from forming on the skin.

Thanks for reading.

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