Niacinamide: How Does It Benefit Your Skin?

Niacinamide may improve the health of your skin overall when used topically on a daily basis. The chemical can help lessen inflammation and hyperpigmentation, improve the texture of your skin generally, and brighten your skin. It may take many weeks before you notice a change, so be patient and continue with your regimen.

Precaution: Unless your doctor or another healthcare professional recommends them to treat a b-3 deficiency or other underlying disease, you shouldn’t take niacinamide pills.

Niacin

Each vitamin has two or more names that are interchangeable; for instance, vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. If you’re trying to identify a vitamin, these names may be confusing. Niacin and vitamin b-6 are two vitamins that are easily confused, despite the fact that they both have the same chemical name (pyridoxine). They perform some similar functions.

Niacin and Vitamin b6 work together to support your metabolism in a number of complementary ways. Niacin contributes to the synthesis of nadh, a chemical your cells use to produce energy from carbohydrates and fats. Vitamin B6 also aids in the metabolism of dietary protein and the conversion of stored carbohydrates into glucose, which is the fuel your cells need to function.

Niacin has additional health benefits, including regulating blood vessel dilation and relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure. Niacin also regulates blood fat levels, with the vitamin helping to lower harmful cholesterol and triglycerides. As a result, taking niacin supplements may be beneficial if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. Niacin also plays a role in cellular communication.

What advantages does niacinamide offer? 

Overall, niacinamide can help the skin produce proteins and retain moisture to protect it from environmental harm.

Individual benefits include:

• Niacinamide aids in the development of keratin, a kind of protein that maintains your skin tight and healthy.
• It also boosts immunity.
• Niacinamide can help your skin develop a ceramide (lipid) barrier, which can help your skin retain moisture. This is good for all skin types, but especially for mature or eczematous skin.
• Niacinamide lowers inflammation
• It lessens redness and blotchiness brought by eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin disorders.
• Decreases pore appearance and keeps skin hydrated and smooth A side effect of using a reliable source may be a gradual decrease in pore size.
• Niacinimide can assist in regulating the quantity of oil the sebaceous glands generate and prevent your glands from going into overdrive
• Niacinamide can simultaneously regenerate healthy skin cells and shield them from UV ray damage, defending against sun damage.
• Reduces hyperpigmentation. According to some study, niacinamide concentrations of 5% can be useful in reducing the appearance of dark spots. Benefits were noticeable after four weeks but did not last more than two months.
• Decreases fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, research has shown that the same concentration is effective in decreasing some aging effects of UV exposure, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
• Niacinamide aids in the development of skin cells and shields them from sunlight, pollution, and pollutants. It also protects against oxidative stress.
• Niacinamide relieves acne. It may be beneficial for severe cases, particularly for papules and pustules that are inflammatory.
• Over time, you may notice fewer lesions and better skin texture.

Adverse effects of niacinamide

According to the NIH, excessive oral niacinamide intake can cause skin redness and gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, topical niacinamide is quite safe and has few restrictions.

Niacinamide may injure the liver, especially when used in large quantities. Taking it along with drugs that may also hurt the liver increases the risk of liver damage. Consult your doctor and never take any medication not prescribed by your doctor. 

Key takeaway

Niacinamide has numerous benefits to skin health. Keep up with your skin routine and be patient with the results as it may take a few weeks to observe any difference. When applied topically on a daily basis, niacinamide may improve the health of your skin as a whole. The component can help lessen inflammation and hyperpigmentation, improve the texture of your skin as a whole, and brighten your skin.

Do not take niacinamide pills unless your doctor or another healthcare provider prescribes them. 

Learn more about Skin Health here.