Niacinamide is one of the ingredients in skin care or skin care most searched and used today. This substance is believed to be able to overcome acne, shrink facial pores, to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. This substance is contained in various foods, such as beans, green vegetables, eggs, milk, fish, meat, and yeast. Lack of intake of niacinamide can cause disorders of the brain, kidneys, and skin.
Benefits of Niacinamide in Skin and Facial Care
Besides being contained in food, niacinamide is also widely used as an ingredient in skin care products, such as serums, toners, moisturizers, cleansers, or masks.
There are several benefits of niacinamide for skin health, including:
1. Overcoming acne
According to research, applying a cream containing niacinamide to the face can treat acne, including severe acne pustules and papules. This substance can also improve the condition of facial skin when used regularly. This benefit will be more optimal, when combined with retinol.
In addition to acne, niacinamide can also treat other skin disorders, such as eczema and rosacea.
2. Protects skin from free radicals
Protecting the skin from free radicals, sun's ultraviolet rays, pollution, and harmful substances is also one of the benefits of niacinamide. Not only that, niacinamide also has an antioxidant effect and can repair damaged DNA.
3. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
If your face begins to appear wrinkles and fine lines, try using a facial care product that contains niacinamide.
According to research, using facial care products containing as much as 5% niacinamide can reduce signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Remove black spots
Diligently use skin care which contains 5% niacinamide for 4 weeks is believed to lighten and remove black spots (hyperpigmentation) on the skin.
5. Control facial oil production and shrink pores
Pores on oily facial skin usually look bigger. Niacinamide can shrink pores by controlling excessive oil production by the glands sebaceous on facial skin.
6. Prevent skin cancer
Not only applied topically, niacinamide can also be taken in supplement form. Taking niacinamide supplements is believed to prevent skin cancer, especially in people who have had nonmelanoma skin cancer before.
However, keep in mind that the various benefits of niacinamide on the skin as mentioned above are still being researched to ensure their effectiveness.
How to Choose Products Containing Niacinamide
In some skin care products, niacinamide can be written as niacin or nicotinamide. If you want to get the various benefits of niacinamide, such as treating dark spots, choose a skin care product that contains 5% niacinamide.
However, if your skin is sensitive, choose a product with a lower niacinamide content. The content of 2% niacinamide is able to overcome skin problems, such as eczema.
In addition to using treatment products that contain niacinamide, you can also practice the following ways to keep your skin healthy and free from skin problems:
- Sufficient fluid needs by drinking enough water
- Apply sunscreen regularly, especially when doing outdoor activities
- Don't smoke and avoid cigarette smoke
- Wash your face after waking up, before going to bed, and after sweating
- Use care products according to skin type
- Control stress
- Eat nutritious food
The benefits of niacinamide for skin care can indeed be relied on to overcome various skin problems. However, you still need to consult a doctor if your skin problem is not resolved, or you experience severe acne, growing moles, or persistent skin irritation.