Niacinamide aka Vitamin B3 has recently sprung up as the ‘It’ skincare ingredient, thanks to all the internet skincare reels and tutorials. This not-so-well-known ingredient is now being touted as a holy-grail solution for many of the most common skin issues such as acne and uneven skin tone.
It has also shown great results in treating the common skincare concerns that most pregnant women/or women who have just given birth experience. From brightening and skin smoothening, to calming inflammation and redness, and reducing hyperpigmentation to reversing and preventing signs of ageing, this powerhouse ingredient is capable of tackling all your skin woes.
What Is Niacinamide
Niacinamide or nicotinamide is a form of Vitamin B3. It is a water-soluble vitamin, which means it is not synthesised in the body and is important to replenish. This can be achieved by consuming Vitamin B3 enriched foods and also skincare products that have Vitamin B3 incorporated in them.
When applied topically, niacinamide works with the other natural substances on your skin to help visibly minimise the appearance of enlarged pores, improve uneven skin tone, regulate oil production, diminish dullness, and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
What Does It Do For Your Skin
Niacinamide offers a multitude of skincare benefits and is known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ageing, and skin-brightening properties. In short, this ingredient is incredibly restorative. It also has similar effects to retinol, for instance, strengthening the skin barrier. However, niacinamide fortifies as it doesn’t cause any sensitivity or irritation like retinol.
Apart from this, niacinamide also helps gently nourish the skin and calm any redness or irritation caused due to skin sensitivity. It also limits free radical damage, reduces under-eye circles, and boosts hydration. It prevents moisture loss from the skin and also enhances the ability of other moisturising ingredients to do so as well.
In other words, this is one skincare ingredient that you must work on in your pregnancy and postpartum beauty regimen.
What Are Niacinamide’s Skincare BFFs
A lesser-known fact about most skincare products is that they work better when paired with other ingredients. The same goes for niacinamide as well. For instance, if you have to target dark spots and pigmentation, consider using niacinamide with other skin brightening agents such as kojic acid. Or, if you want to remove your blemish marks and enhance radiance, try pairing it with Vitamin C to see the maximal results.
How To Deliver Niacinamide To Your Skin
To reap the most skincare benefits, you can try applying niacinamide topically. It works well for both oily and dry skin types and is uniquely compatible with almost all other skincare products. Here are a few ways you can include niacinamide in your skincare routine.
Face Wash
One of the ways to up your niacinamide usage is by adding a natural face wash that comes packed with the powerhouse ingredient. Since most foaming face washes tend to strip the natural oils from your skin, you should look for a product that contains a bevy of hydration-boosting ingredients along with niacinamide.
Choose a face wash that contains green tea extracts, aloe vera, and kaolin clay as they go really well with niacinamide and will help cleanse your face, regulate oil production, and prevent breakouts.
Toner
If you are a seasoned skincare junkie, you already know about the multiple benefits that a daily facial toner can bring to your skin. A toner is a staple in every woman’s skincare routine and a great way to enhance its benefits on the skin is by using a toner packed with niacinamide.
To achieve maximum benefits, you can look for a toner with niacinamide + Vitamin C to reduce hyperpigmentation, limit free radical damage, and tighten your pores. Applying it regularly will help the next skincare products to work better and enhance your radiance over time.
Face Serum
Typically, serums are formulated with active concentrations that penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and work to address your skin concerns. Therefore, one of the effective ways of adding niacinamide to your skincare routine is in the form of a serum.
But make sure your niacinamide-infused serum doesn’t contain retinol as it can be harmful to your growing baby. Instead, look for an organic age control serum with blends of niacinamide, bakuchiol (natural retinol), and other antioxidants to help clear pores, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, and reverse signs of ageing.
Under Eye Cream
As mentioned earlier, niacinamide can help to reduce under-eye circles. So roll away your dark circles by using a niacinamide-infused under-eye cream. Make sure the eye cream is natural and blended with other ingredients such as chamomile oil, coffee oil, and chia seed oil. Also, look for an eye cream that has a roll-on applicator so that layering the eye cream becomes an easy task for you.
Face Cream
You can also use a daily face cream blended with niacinamide to control oil regulation and prevent acne. The best ingredients to pair with your niacinamide-enriched face creams are aloe vera, willow bark, and green tea. All these ingredients have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and work well in conjunction with niacinamide. They help balance hydration, soothe the skin, and minimise inflammation.
So what are you waiting for? Choose your favourite form of niacinamide-based skincare product and start applying it consistently to address pregnancy and postpartum skin issues. Also, remember that niacinamide is a gentle ingredient and is safe to apply during pregnancy.
