Niacinamide, a Vitamin B3 derivative, is one of the most versatile skincare acids. From limiting moisture loss and soothing inflammation to fighting greasiness, this efficacious active does it all. The best part? Niacinamide works for most skin types without flaring any pre-existing sensitivities – making it a seamless fit for your skincare routine.
If you’re a skincare beginner, looking to integrate this active into your routine, you have landed on the right page. Scroll ahead for an exhaustive guide on Niacinamide usage, the dos, the don’ts, and more to help you reap the maximum benefits of this all-rounder.
When And How To Use Niacinamide Serum?
What Is The Ideal Time To Use Niacinamide In Your Skincare Routine?
You can use Niacinamide in your morning or nighttime routine – whatever bodes well for your skin.
Here are some benefits of using it in the AM regimen:
1. Helps soothe inflammation and redness
2. Protects your skin from oxidative damage
3. Keeps hydration intact
4. Regulates sebum production
5. Keep unwarranted shine at bay
Benefits of using Niacinamide in your PM routine
1. Upholds barrier health
2. Supports overnight cellular regeneration and repair
3. Limits moisture loss through the barrier
4. Improves skin texture with time sris
Step-By-Step Application Guide
To reap the maximum benefits of Niacinamide, here’s how you can add it to your routine
1. Cleanse: Use a gentle, pH-balancing formula to remove dead cells, excess sebum, and impurities first. This step ensures better absorption of your Niacinamide serum, enhancing its efficacy.
2. Tone (if needed): If your skin is extremely parched, a hydrating toner won’t hurt. Infused with humectants, a toner clears buildup and makeup residues while ensuring a quick skin refresh.
3. Treat: Once the toner melds into your skin, whip out your Niacinamide Serum. Take a few drops of the formula and dab it into your skin. Use a light hand to avoid stress or strain on the skin.
4. Moisturize: Next, use a lightweight and non-comedogenic moisturizer to seal the treatment into your skin. Moreover, a moisturizing formula helps offset any accidental inflammation from Niacinamide use (in rare cases).
5. Sun protect: Sun protection is mandatory, even more so if you’re using active ingredients. You see, actives can make your skin more photosensitive, making it more susceptible to burns, tanning, and pigmentation. Keep the problems at bay with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or more.
How To Use Niacinamide Serum For Beginners
While Niacinamide works for all skin types and doesn’t cause flare-ups, here are some pointers to bear in mind for better results-
1. Start with a lower concentration: To help your skin get accustomed to the active ingredient, start with a lower concentration of serum. 5 % is dubbed ideal for those starting on their Niacinamide journey.
2. Patch test: To avoid any accidental flare-ups, patch test the serum on your neck or hand. Proceed only if there are no worrisome signs.
3. Frequency: If you are a beginner, start by using the serum once a week. If your skin responds well, amp up this frequency slowly, over time.
Dos And Don’ts Of Niacinamide
Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure the best results with your Niacinamide serum:
Dos:
1. Do apply on a clean, dry face
To ensure maximum absorption of the serum, apply the serum only after thoroughly cleaning your face. Once through, dab your skin dry with a towel and then whip out the serum bottle.
2. Do follow with a moisturizer
After applying your Niacinamide serum, follow up with a potent moisturizer. An emollient-rich moisturizer creates a protective seal on the dermis, trapping the Niacinamide molecules for better results. Additionally, it helps offset any accidental inflammation or flare-ups.
3. Do start with a 5% concentration or lower
To help your skin get accustomed to Niacinamide, start with a 5% serum concentration.
4. Do store the serum in a cold, dark place
Constant contact with sunlight leads to the degradation of Niacinamide, directly impacting its efficacy. To steer clear of the problem, store the bottle in a cold, dark place at all times.
Don’ts
1. Don’t mix with strong acids in the same routine
Don’t go overboard with other actives while using Niacinamide. Avoid layering it with AHAs, BHAs, and/or Retinol in the same routine to keep flare-ups at bay.
2. Don’t skip sunscreen during the day
As discussed earlier, topical application of active ingredients can make your skin photosensitive. To prevent recurring episodes of burns, tanning, and sun-induced pigmentation, use a sunscreen with SPF 50 or more.
3, Don’t expect instant results.
Consistency is key. Follow a tailored skincare routine religiously to ensure notable results with time.
What Can You Pair With Niacinamide
Niacinamide pairs well with most skincare acids. Some of these are:
1. Hyaluronic Acid: Humectant HA binds moisture molecules to the skin, ensuring sustained hydration. Niacinamide helps double down on these efforts by limiting water loss through the dermis.
2. Vitamin C: If you struggle with pigmentation or dark spots, opt for Vitamin C and Niacinamide in your routine – an underrated duo. Albeit via different pathways, the two acids fade discolouration to administer an even skin tone.
Who Should Use Niacinamide?
The best part about Niacinamide? It works for all skin types. Having said that, we always recommend conducting a patch test beforehand.
1. Niacinamide for oily skin: Topical application of the active blots shine, regulates sebum production, and prevents clogged pores – a must-have for the skin type.
2. Niacinamide for dry skin: Niacinamide helps prevent TEWL or transepidermal water loss, alleviating dry, flaky skin.
3. Niacinamide for combination skin: We know that combination skin carries both oily and dry parts – both of which can be alleviated with regular Niacinamide usage.
3. Niacinamide for sensitive skin: The Vitamin B3 derivative soothes inflammation, boosts barrier health, and keeps hydration intact. It’s the perfect choice for people struggling with underlying sensitivities.
Signs Your Niacinamide Serum Is Working vs Signs Of Irritation
Niacinamide works well for most skin types. Having said that, in rare cases, it might lead to irritation. Here’s how to identify whether to increase your Niacinamide usage or discontinue the product altogether:
Signs of improvement:
1. Enhanced skin tone and texture
2. Lesser greasiness
3. Fewer breakouts
4. No more red or inflamed skin
Signs of Irritation:
1. Redness or swelling
2. Itchiness or a stinging sensation
3. Flakiness
4. Inexplicable breakouts
5. Peeling skin
Conclusion
Niacinamide is one of the skincare acids that is beginner-friendly. It works well on most skin types, without flaring up sensitivities. Add a potent 5% Niacinamide Serum in your AM or PM routine after thorough cleansing and toning.
FAQs
1. Can I use Niacinamide every day as a beginner?
If you’re a beginner, we recommend using Niacinamide only 2-3x weekly. This will allow your skin to get used to the active ingredient.
2. How long does Niacinamide take to show results?
This time duration may differ, depending on the severity of your concern. Having said that, you can expect notable improvement in your skin in 2 to 6 weeks.
3. Can I use Niacinamide with Retinol?
If you are a beginner, use the two active ingredients at different times during your routine.
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