You can either do this by applying it as a standalone product or mixing some into your moisturiser and using it that way. 21 Both Niacinamide and niacin are multitasking star ingredients that fall under the vitamin B3 umbrella. For skincare, niacinamide is known for being effective at treating acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of ageing with the added bonus of being safe for all skin types. On the other hand, niacin is known in the wellness world to support cardiovascular health. They are similar in name and both derive from vitamin B3 but they have key differences. What is niacinamide? As a reminder, keratin is the main constituent of the hair fiber. A keratin deficiency is characterized by flat, dry hair that breaks easily. By stimulating the synthesis of this protein, niacinamide brings shine to the hair, flexibility, and texture.

A total of 50 women used a moisturiser that contained 5% niacinamide on one side of their face and a placebo moisturizer on the other side for 12 weeks. Niacinamide isn’t a mystical ingredient created solely for the purpose of beauty products. It’s actually a part of the vitamin B3 molecule (which is also known as niacin).Specifically, niacinamide is one thing that goes into making keratin. Keratin is a huge part of both your hair as well as your skin, so this alone can help hair. The fact that this vitamin also seals in moisture, is yet another benefit for your hair. The ability to help regulate the oil your body makes is a big thing for your hair too. There are a number of ways that this super ingredient manages to do all this. 'One way is because of its powerful antioxidant properties,' Paula explains. 'Another way is how niacinamide helps generate other important substances in the skin such as ceramides and keratin – both are major protective elements in the skin. Even more notable is how niacinamide works as a “cell-communicating ingredient”. This means it can “talk” to many different kinds of cells in the skin, telling them to make normal, healthier, and younger-acting cells. It generally takes around 8 to 12 weeks before you start to see tangible results, although some people may start to see a slight difference right away. A 2016 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology examined a product that contained skin brighteners, including retinol, the antioxidant, resveratrol, as well as niacinamide.

As is the case with all new skincare products, do a patch test to see how your skin gets along with niacinamide first. Because of the seemingly endless list of its benefits, Paula explains that vitamin B3 can benefit pretty much all skin types and concerns. It also makes for less repairing that your body has to expend itself on, allowing you to have even less stress on your body. This can let your body repair some of the damage that might have already been done, include damage that might have been done by aging. Niacinamide is a very long word, and one that you might not have heard about. However, you probably do actually know what niacinamide is, or at least a little about it. You probably also already know that it is good for your hair.Since excess niacinamide is excreted with your urine, this can put a strain on your kidneys and liver as well. Other, milder effects are flushing, redness, itching, stomach discomfort, nausea, headaches, and tingling of your skin. For those reasons, your doctor may caution you against taking large amounts of any sort of Vitamin B3 supplements. Related Reading Niacinamide has been recognised in studies as being an alternative to steroids and oral antibiotics for numerous skin concerns. If you're thinking about adding a little niacinamide to your skincare shelfie, here's all you need to know... What is niacinamide? Your body actually makes niacinamide from niacin. However, it only usually does this when there is an excessive amount of niacin in the body. Your body also takes something called tryptophan and converts it into niacinamide.