8 Reasons why your skin needs Niacinamide
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3 is essential in any serious skincare regime. We love Aspect’s Extreme B17 serum. I apply it at least once daily.
8 Reasons why your skin needs Niacinamide.
#1 Boosting the immunity of your skin.
There are cells in your skin known as Langerhans cells. They are responsible for the immunity and repair mechanisms of your skin. They are shy little guys and when you expose your skin to the sun they temporarily retreat leaving the skin without it’s usual immunity against invading microbes or to safeguard against the activity of precancerous lesions.
#2 Improves Epidermal barrier performance.
Everything about your skin is better when the Epidermal lipid barrier is functioning at its peak. Your lipid barrier keeps your skin moist, hydrated and protected from the harshness of the environment regardless of the time of year. Niacinamide increases the production of ceramides (an essential component of your lipid barrier), keeping the skin strong and preventing Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL).
#3 Improves redness and blotchiness in the skin.
With an improved epidermal lipid barrier the skin’s natural ability to protect itself from external aggressors becomes vastly improved. Over time this improvement in skin structure reduces the redness, blotchiness and sensitivity brought about by exposure to the environment due to poor barrier function.
#4 Regulated oil flow.
When your skin is able to retain it’s natural moisture with a well functioning lipid barrier, the natural oil flow of the skin becomes regulated. So if you are plagued with an oily skin, rather than trying to scrupulously wash it all away and exacerbate the problem, consider topically applied Niacinamide as an essential factor in getting any excessive oil flow under control.
#5 Protects skin from infrared light.
Niacinamide protects the skin from the infrared heat of the sun. Along with the damaging effects of UV exposure, infrared activates free radicals and stimulates an overproduction of pigmented cells and if your pigmentation is hormonal, any heat is very bad news. Niacinamide is essential for protecting the skin from heat.
#6 Hyper-pigmentation.
The transfer of pigment (melanosomes) from your melanocytes to the surrounding skin of your epidermis is known as a tan. However, over time, this activity becomes dysfunctional and many of us end up with uneven, blotchy pigmentation rather than a golden tan. If your skin has become susceptible to hyper-pigmentation then Niacinamide will assist in the reduction of uneven pigmentation by slowing down the transfer of melanin to your skin’s epidermis. Including this clever ingredient into any hyper-pigmentation treatment plan is a must do!
#7 Minimise lines and wrinkles.
Niacinamide boosts collagen production. Along with the improvement of the skin’s lipid barrier comes an improvement in cell differentiation which contributes to better synthesis and formation of collagen and elastin. Music to my ears!!
#8 Dull and sallow skin.
While many antioxidants prevent damage caused by oxidative stress and AGE’s, Niacinamide goes one step further and reverses the visible signs brought about by the onslaught. As time goes by and with the constant exposure to free radicals and glycation the skin can appear dull and sallow. Niacinamide as an antioxidant reduces this negative impact and improves the skin’s ability to deal with the damage that leaves the skin yellow, sallow and dull. No one wants that!
* Blog post courtesy of http://thebeautyissue.com/niacinamide-8-reasons-must-beauty-regime/
