From Alia Bhat to Kriti Sanon — a legion of silver screen divas swear by this result-oriented, potent active ingredient in their skincare regimens -‘Niacinamide’. A type of B-3 vitamin, this nutrient has taken over many-a-vanities and bathroom countertops in the form of serums, face washes and creams. For the uninitiated, this celebrity favourite has a gamut of skincare benefits— from diminishing the appearance of acne scars, regulating the skin’s oil production, bolstering the acid mantle and much more. So, if you have been going back and forth regarding this efficacious element and want to do some deep digging before incorporating it into your pre-existing regimen, you may count on us. To help dispel the misinformation that may loom over a skincare novice, Beauty Book got in touch with Dr Yuti Nakhwa, trichologist and founder of Elixir Skin And Hair Clinic. Keep scrolling to hear what this leading industry expert had to say about the ingredient in the spotlight.
Beauty Book: What is Niacinamide, and how does it work?
Dr Yuti: Niacinamide adeptly addresses a myriad of skincare concerns. Ideal ingredient if you grapple with dehydrated skin, it gives the skin a big boost of hydration. It also improves collagen production and helps reverse premature ageing, dwindling the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also, a miracle ingredient for bolstering the health of your skin’s acid mantle, Niacinamide upregulates the amount of naturally occurring ceramides in the skin.
Beauty Book: How can you incorporate niacinamide into your skincare routine?
Dr Yuti: Niacinamide is best to use in serum or cream formulations. Any products with brief contact with the skin, like face washes or cleansers containing niacinamide, may not give any meaningful differences.
Beauty Book: How can one use niacinamide to reap optimum results for their skin?
Dr Yuti: Niacinamide can be used in the morning and night after washing your face. One can use niacinamide right before slapping on their moisturiser.
Beauty Book: There is a lot of uncertainty about layering niacinamide with other active ingredients. Could you speak to that?
Dr Yuti: Coupling Niacinamide with Alpha Hydroxy Acids like Glycolic acid and AHAs bodes well for the skin. These actives help in exfoliation and further enhance the penetration of niacinamide into the deepest layers of the skin. Suppose you grapple with acne or have excessively oily skin, layer Niacinamide with salicylic acid — known for alleviating breakouts and curbing sebum production. Alternatively, if your skin gets dry, try using Niacinamide with Hyaluronic acid.
Beauty Book: What are some of the dos and don'ts?
Dr Yuti:
- Always use niacinamide at a concentration of 5% or less if you have sensitive skin.
- Discontinue using products with niacinamide if it causes a burning sensation or redness.
- Even though both niacinamide and vitamin C are common antioxidants, they are incompatible, and one should avoid using them together.
