Everything You Need to Know About Niacinamide

Niacinamide is the latest buzzy skin care ingredient in the spotlight, and we’re here for it. An essential nutrient that boasts powerful skin healing and protection benefits, niacinamide is a reliable go-to for shrinking pores, smoothing texture, and more. Read on for our comprehensive guide on what niacinamide can do for you. 

What Is Niacinamide? 

Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3. It’s found in a variety of foods, like whole grains and leafy greens, and plays a role in energy metabolism and cell health. In skin care, it’s most often found in its synthetic form in serums and moisturizers, where it works to visibly minimize enlarged pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, brighten, and support the moisture barrier. Along with other amazing skin care ingredients such as retinol and Vitamin C, niacinamide stands out due to its versatile use for many skin care concerns and skin types. 

What Are the Benefits of Niacinamide for the Skin? 

There are several ways niacinamide can improve the appearance of skin when incorporated into skin care: 

• It supports the skin’s all-important moisture barrier, locking in hydration 
• It minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores by tightening up pore laxity 
• It reduces inflammation, minimizing redness and blotchiness and evening out skin tone 
• It supports the skin barrier and protects against environmental and free radical damage 
• It supports skin cell health and plays a role in helping skin to repair signs of past damage 
• It minimizes some signs of sun damage, including hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. 

There’s also some evidence that topical niacinamide may help treat certain skin conditions, including acne and eczema. 

How to Incorporate Niacinamide Into Your Skin Care Routine  

Before we cover the ways you can apply niacinamide topically to skin, keep in mind you can also up your intake of foods that are rich in this essential nutrient to give your skin a boost from the inside out. This form of vitamin B3 is found in eggs, whole grains, green vegetables, legumes, fish, and whole milk. To get the most out of niacinamide’s skin-related benefits, the best way to incorporate it into your skin care is with topical products. A popular ingredient, you’ll find it in concentrations as high as 5% in serums, toners, masks, moisturizers, and even makeup. 

Here are some key tips to keep in mind if you’re trying niacinamide for the first time: 

• It’s safe to use every day in the morning and evening, however if you have sensitive skin you may want to start with a lower concentration 
• It works well when combined with other powerful ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and chemical exfoliants 
• It can cause redness and irritation as your skin gets used to it, in which case scale back to using it every other day or only a few times per week 
• Follow up with a good moisturizer to lock in the benefits and help nourish the skin, and sun protection of course! 

Aesthetic Treatments to Boost Your Niacinamide Benefits 

Skin Resurfacing Treatments  

Skin resurfacing is one of the most sought-after treatments for improving the overall look and feel of the skin. It’s also one of the most effective ways to address enlarged pores, one of the most common reasons people turn to niacinamide for help. Venus Viva™ MD skin resurfacing treatments use NanoFractional Radio Frequency (RF) energy to stimulate cell healing and renewal, accelerating the skin’s natural healing process and promoting collagen and elastin production to improve textural irregularities of the skin. The result is a smoother, firmer, more even complexion with pore size visibly reduced.  

Photofacial Treatments 

For sun damage, dark spots, and other signs of photoaging, Venus Versa™ photofacial treatments use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology to rejuvenate skin from underneath the surface. By reinvigorating the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin, photofacials clear up sun damage, slow down the appearance of aging, and restore skin to a brighter, healthier, more radiant appearance. 

Facial Renewal Treatments 

Protecting and restoring the skin’s moisture barrier is one of niacinamide’s greatest benefits. Venus Glow™ facial renewal treatments flush out pores and pull dirt, excess oil, and impurities from below the skin’s surface for a deep clean that reveals a radiant, refreshed complexion. The micro-massaging tip then stimulates nutrients to spread through the dermal layer and restore nourishment to help keep the skin hydrated and protected. 

Enhanced with Venus Glow Serums™, the Venus Glow™ treatment evolves into a two-step process for superior pore cleansing and facial renewal that addresses concerns like acne, dullness, dryness, and the sign of aging with naturally derived marine and botanical ingredients. 

Using a topical ingredient like niacinamide is a great way to level up your skin care routine, and while the benefits are there, they can take months to appear and will never be as potent as an aesthetic treatment, which uses scientifically-backed technology to help you look your best. All of our treatments are safe, non-invasive, and require no downtime. Most importantly, they’re effective.   

Use the search field below to find a clinic near you and start your aesthetic journey today.