Niacinamide -Vitamin B3. Why you MUST have it.

Niacinamide also referred to as vitamin B3 is well recognised as an essential nutrient when it comes to a well-functioning and healthy body. Your digestive system, nervous system and brain function are all dependent on Niacinamide (Vitamin B3).

As essential as it is for our body, it may be time to view topical Niacinamide as a permanent ‘must have’ in our beauty regimen.

What Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) can give to your skin:

· Boosting the immunity of your skin.

There are cells in your skin known as Langerhans cells. They are responsible for the protection and repair mechanisms of your skin. They are shy little guys, and when you expose your skin to the sun, especially when you burn your skin, they temporarily retreat leaving the skin without its natural immunity against invading microbes or the safeguards against the activity of precancerous lesions.

· Improves epidermal barrier performance.

Everything about your skin is better when the epidermal lipid barrier is functioning at its peak. Your lipid barrier helps retain moisture, keeps it hydrated for longer and will protect your skin from the harshness of the environment, regardless of the time of year. Niacinamide increases the production of ceramides (an essential component of your lipid barrier), keeping the skin strong and preventing Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL).

· Improves redness and blotchiness in the skin.

With an improved epidermal lipid barrier, the skin’s natural ability to protect itself from external aggressors becomes vastly improved. Over time and with a daily application of a Niacinamide formulation, improvements in skin structure will reduce redness, blotchiness and sensitivity brought about by exposure to the environment due to a poorly functioning barrier.

· Regulated oil flow.

When your skin retains its natural moisture with a well-functioning lipid barrier, the natural oil flow of the skin becomes controlled. So, if you have oily skin, rather than trying to wash it scrupulously away and exacerbate the problem, consider topically applied Niacinamide as an essential factor in getting any excessive oil flow under control.

· Protects skin from infrared light.

Niacinamide protects the skin from the infrared heat of the sun. Along with the damaging effects of UV exposure, infrared activates free radicals and stimulates an overproduction of pigmented cells, and if your pigmentation is hormonal, heat is a big problem. Niacinamide protects the skin from heat.

· Hyper-pigmentation.

The transfer of pigment (melanosomes) from your melanocytes to the surrounding skin of your epidermis is known as a tan. However, over time, this activity becomes dysfunctional, and many of us end up with uneven, blotchy pigmentation rather than a golden tan. If your skin has become susceptible to hyperpigmentation, then Niacinamide will assist in the reduction of uneven pigmentation by slowing down the transfer of melanin to your skin’s epidermis. Including this smart ingredient into any hyper-pigmentation treatment plan is a must do!

· Minimise lines and wrinkles.

Niacinamide boosts collagen production. Along with the improvement of the skin’s lipid barrier comes an increase in cell differentiation which contributes to better synthesis and formation of collagen and elastin. Music to my ears!!

· Dull skin.

While many antioxidants prevent damage caused by oxidative stress and AGE’s, Niacinamide goes one step further and reverses the visible signs. As time goes by and with the constant exposure to free radicals and Glycation, the skin can appear dull and sallow with a sad loss of radiance. You don’t want that! Niacinamide as an antioxidant reduces the negative impact of oxidative stress and improves the skin’s ability to fight back. You definitely want that!

Niacinamide often recommend for the prevention and treatment of hyperpigmentation, which it does, but as you can see, it is an all-around ingredient for anti-ageing and skin health. No matter how old or what condition- your skin will benefit from the long-term use of this scientifically proven ingredient.

How much is enough?

The best formulations will contain at least 5-7% Niacinamide. Some brands will be forthcoming with this information while others prefer to keep it under wraps. A good indication of how much is in your serum is how far up the list of ingredients Niacinamide appears. It should be close to the top of the list.

When is the best time to apply?

Anytime is the best time. If you are keen, by all means, use it morning and night, but because of the protective nature of Niacinamide, I like to use once a day underneath my moisturiser and sunscreen, however, if your night-time serum or cream contains Niacinamide, well then, all the better

We all know, every effective skin care regimen should have some form of retinol in it. But, it would be wrong to think every skin concern can be solved by one single ingredient.

Even if you’ve found the best-ever Retinol formulation in the world and even if you use it every day. Your skin needs more.

And here comes Niacinamide.

What you may not know is how important B3 is if you want a better result from clever ingredients like Retinol and Vitamin-C!

Prevention is always better than the cure.

Of course, it is and when topically applied in serum formulations, Niacinamide (B3) prevents damage to your skin’s immunity cells. It protects your skin from the intensity of the sun, manages the balance of your delicate lipid barrier and, in turn, reduces redness and irritation caused years of too much exposure to the environment. Niacinamide (B3) will also reduce ongoing sensitivity in the skin as well as control or minimise the transfer of unruly pigment into your skin which, if left unchecked will leave you with blotchy pigmentation. Oh, and when needed, Niacinamide will regulate oil flow.

But what if you need a cure?

Prevention is great, but I’ve already got a ton of problems in my skin. Is it too late? Will Niacinamide (B3) repair my skin?

Retinol and any other effective ingredient will have far greater power and efficacy within your skin if it’s backed up by Niacinamide (B3).

Because- Niacinamide (B3) supports your skin’s immunity and protects and prevents damage to your lipid barrier. All this added protection gives your skin a far greater chance of repair. A well-functioning skin will repair itself. And a well-functioning healthy skin will accept other ingredients much-much better.

Damage to the skin, such as pigmentation or even long-term permanent redness caused by the sun can be repaired if the skin is given a chance to do so. Of course, no repair will ever take place if you continue to expose your skin to the sun. But. If you stay away from the sun, use products containing a good dose of Niacinamide to your routine, then, you’re well on your way to a much better skin.

That is why we love Niacinamide in our Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Vitamin-C Serum with 10 Actives