1. Purging: This is known as purging since the active ingredients like niacinamide enhance cell turnover, causing pre-existing plugged pores and impurities to surface faster than usual. This may lead to temporary outbreaks of small pimples or breakouts in areas where you usually get them.
Serious Side Effects
These include severe redness, burning, stinging, or allergic reactions like rash, itching, and swelling, especially of the face, tongue, or throat. In such instances, it's of utmost importance to discontinue use and seek medical attention.
Can Niacinamide Cause Acne? There is limited research on whether niacinamide can cause breakouts. However, you may experience skin purging when using this ingredient. In other words, your skin may start to look worse before it gets better.
Skin purging looks like: Red bumps on skin and accompanying facial redness. Breakouts and blemishes dotted along where you've applied the chemical exfoliant or retinoid product to your skin. Dryness and flaking can appear alongside bumps and breakouts.
When applied to the skin: Niacinamide is possibly safe. Niacinamide cream might cause mild burning, itching, or redness.
What are the side effects of Niacinamide? Topical application is completely safe and may not cause any skin problems for a healthy person. People with sensitive skin may face mild redness, itching, or a burning sensation. Stomach upset.
DON'T MIX: AHA/BHA and niacinamide
Niacinamide is used to treat hyperpigmentation and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants. To understand why niacinamide shouldn't be mixed with AHAs and BHAs, you need to consider pH.
Does niacinamide cause pimples? Niacinamide does not cause any pimples as it is gentle on most people of all skin types. But it might irritate if it is used in larger quantities.
Appearance. Acne purging and breakouts can look similar at first glance, with increased red bumps and pimples. However, purging tends to cause uniform congestion, affecting the entire area where you applied the new treatment. Breakouts often appear more sporadic in your usual problem spots.
To be sure it's safe, though, always apply niacinamide products to a test area of skin and observe for reactions. If you experience redness, itchiness, or further irritation, stop its use and consult a professional.
If you're usually sensitive to new skin care products or ingredients, use niacinamide products with lower doses at first before using those with higher strengths of niacinamide. If you have any reaction to niacinamide, stop using it and see a dermatologist.
Niacinamide is a gentle yet powerful ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to clear pores and balance the skin barrier. Recent research has highlighted the benefits of niacinamide in reducing the formation of closed comedones.
For general skin tone correction, a niacinamide concentration between 4-5% is often effective and well-tolerated by most individuals. For those looking to tackle more pronounced hyperpigmentation, a higher concentration of 10% may be beneficial, though it's important to monitor the skin for any signs of irritation.
Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to niacinamide that can provide similar benefits. One of the most powerful is aloe vera. Aloe vera is a succulent plant that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. It's also a popular ingredient in natural skincare products.
Reddening of the Skin.
It's caused when niacinamide dilates the blood vessels, which brings more blood to the surface of your skin. For most people, this redness is mild and disappears within a few minutes. However, for those with sensitive skin, it might be accompanied by itching, stinging, or mild burning.
How long does it last? Spots that are caused by purging will appear and disappear faster than a 'normal' pimple. If a breakout is lasting for longer than four to six weeks then it may be a sign your skin is reacting badly to the ingredient.
Four main factors cause acne: Excess oil (sebum) production. Hair follicles clogged by oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria.
Niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory that works to reduce the swelling and redness associated with acne. It also works to regulate the amount of acne-causing oil being produced by the glands in your skin.
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Yes, using a niacinamide-based formulation can help with tiny bumps on the skin. It is a potent ingredient known for targeting inflammation, regulating oil production, and improving skin barrier function.
Niacinamide and vitamin C
This combination sparks a lot of debate among skincare experts. Some say that since both niacinamide and vitamin C contain antioxidants, they cancel each other out and might even lead to irritation.
In general, niacinamide is considered suitable for all skin types and, per the Cleveland Clinic, is rarely associated with side effects. Still, as with any skincare ingredient, it's best to introduce it to your skincare routine slowly to help minimize the potential for redness or irritation.