【This Season's Hottest Acne-Fighting and Whitening Ingredient – Niacinamide】

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a member of the vitamin family, also known as Vitamin B3 (VB3), and is widely found in plants and animals. After several years of research and experimentation, major dermatology research institutions worldwide have confirmed the effectiveness of niacinamide in skin brightening, earning unanimous recognition from leading dermatologists.

Benefits of Niacinamide

While niacinamide was developed as a skin brightening product, it actually has a wide range of uses for the skin, primarily including the following benefits:

1. Skin Brightening

Niacinamide can accelerate skin metabolism, quickly shedding keratinocytes containing melanin. Niacinamide has a small molecular weight, allowing it to be directly absorbed by epidermal cells. In addition, niacinamide can reduce the transfer of melanin to the stratum corneum, leading to less melanin deposition in the stratum corneum and preventing skin darkening. Clinical trials have shown that niacinamide can significantly reduce the area and number of brown spots on the skin, with visible lightening of skin discoloration. Niacinamide also has a noticeable effect on reducing dull, yellowish skin tone.

2. Anti-aging

Studies have shown that niacinamide can promote the synthesis of epidermal proteins and enhance the skin's natural defense capabilities. It can also improve skin hydration and reduce facial wrinkles, dullness, and spots.

3. Oil Control & Pore Refinement

When the niacinamide content in a product reaches 2%, it can reduce the production of fatty acids and triglycerides in the sebum secreted by the skin, thereby controlling oil secretion. When oil secretion decreases, the pores, which are the channels through which the skin excretes sebum, will gradually shrink, thus achieving the goal of pore refinement.

4. Acne Treatment

Studies have shown that a gel containing 4% niacinamide has an acne treatment effect equivalent to 1% clindamycin gel (a primary topical prescription medication for acne treatment).

How to avoid the irritating effects of niacinamide?

Controlling impurities in niacinamide raw materials and formulating products require high standards.

The irritation from niacinamide primarily comes from nicotinic acid within the niacinamide. Niacinamide is very stable at a pH of 6, but in solutions with a pH above or below 6, niacinamide will hydrolyze itself to form nicotinic acid, significantly increasing irritation. Therefore, niacinamide products are not suitable for use with other acidic products. If mixed, it can cause a change in skin pH, leading niacinamide to release a large amount of nicotinic acid and causing skin irritation. Therefore, it is especially important to avoid mixing niacinamide with skin undergoing acid exfoliation treatments.

Precautions when choosing niacinamide products

Before using high-concentration niacinamide, apply a thin layer of base lotion first, then apply the niacinamide product. This can moisturize the skin and prepare it for optimal condition, slowing down the penetration of niacinamide into the skin and reducing irritation, thereby achieving the goal of skin brightening.

Some skin may experience a slight stinging sensation when first using the product. After a period of use, the skin will adapt to the irritation of niacinamide, and consistent use will yield good results.