Its hard to pinpoint your skins prime years. With younger skin, acne is often your biggest concern and as you get older, loss of elasticity, fine lines, dryness, and wrinkles start to sprout up. This makes using the right skincare even more important. No, that moisturiser youve been using since you turned 18 wont cut it anymore. Youve matured and so has your skin, and now it needs the goodness of power-packed vitamins and ingredients that can target the signs of ageing. Meet Niacinamidethe skin vitamin that can tackle multiple concerns and give you great skin days. Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder and medical director, Yavana Aesthetics Clinic helps us dive into what Niacinamide means for your skin and why its a must-have in your skincare routine.
Niacinamide 101While you may not have heard of Niacinamide before, youve probably heard of Vitamin B3, which is the same thing. Also known as Nicotinamide, this is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, and weakened surface. It helps build protein that keeps skin healthy and firm. Topical application of Niacinamide improves the epidermal barrier function and locks in moisture, which helps improve the hydration levels. Its also a good skin conditioner to soften the skins texture. "Another important reason to use it is for its anti-inflammatory effects. In case youre dealing with redness or irritation, this nutrient helps eliminate these concerns," explains Dr Madhuri Agarwal.
Does niacinamide work for all skin types?Anyone above the age of 18 can use Niacinamide, skin type no bar. However, if you have very sensitive skin or a lot of allergies, its best to do a patch test and consult your dermatologist before you give it a go. Niacinamide applications usually show noticeable effects after 4-8 weeks of usage, hence patience is key, advises Dr Agarwal. Because of its numerous beneficial effects, Niacinamide is an ingredient of choice in a lot of skincare products. It is an effective ingredient to treat rosacea, acne, scars, and sun damage. It is also used in anti-ageing products and can help in photoaging. Her favourites include Sesderma Azelac RU Liposomal Serum for hyperpigmentation and melasma, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for oily, and acne-prone skin and SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3 for anti-ageing and skin repair.
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Things to keep in mind when introducing Niacinamide to your skincare routine1. Products with 2-5% Niacinamide are good for the skinwhen used in high concentrations, it can cause skin irritation and redness.
2. You can use a product that is pure Niacinamide alone or a combination with other ingredients, depending on your skin concern.
3. In case you are using it for dry skin, apply your moisturiser first and then layer it with your Niacinamide product.
4. Niacinamide also has a higher pH level so you can use it in combination with other pH actives like AHA and BHA products.
5. When it is used in a mattifying product, you apply it first and then layer it on with a sunscreen to get maximum benefits.
6. If your skincare routine also includes Vitamin C, it advisable to use Niacinamide separately as opposed to in combination as both ingredients cause skin flushing. You can use the products on alternate days to prevent any irritation.
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Products with Niacinamide[gallery ids="692931,692930,692944,692940,692917,692932,692937,692942,692935,692934"]
Sesderma Azelac RU Liposomal Serum, Rs 2,200
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Rs 500 Approx
SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3, Rs 7700 Approx
Coola Mineral Sun Silk Crème SPF 30, Rs 2900
Go-To Transformazing, Rs 600 Approx
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Mains Barrier Repairing Cream, Rs 1500 Approx
Foreo Shimmer Freak Activated Mask, Rs 600 Approx
Patchology Just Let It Glow Moodmask Sheet Mask, Rs 1500 Approx
Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion, Rs 1700 Approx
Eve Lom Daily Protection Anti-aging Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen, Rs 5,855 (Approx)
The post Looking for a skincare ingredient for mature skin? Try Niacinamide, the power vitamin appeared first on Lifestyle Asia.
