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.
While rare, some people may experience an allergic reaction to niacinamide, known as contact dermatitis. Symptoms can include redness, itching, swelling, and a burning sensation. Those experiencing these symptoms should discontinue use and seek medical advice.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Now, most people can tolerate niacinamide well even at 10% twice daily. But if you have a mysterious skin rash or unexplained irritation, it could be time to take a closer look at your niacinamide levels.
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.
"There are some people who feel a stinging sensation and those people tend to be more reactive to niacinamide than others," he says. If you develop any redness, burning, or stinging, you should remove the product from the skin right away.
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.
How long does Niacinamide take to work? Using 5% or 10% Niacinamide-containing products show better effects with no skin problems like irritation. Most studies show that even though you may find improvement immediately after starting Niacinamide, it usually takes anywhere between 8-12 weeks for a visible change.
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.
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.
How long will it last? Because purging occurs with a change of skincare regime, it should only take one full skin cycle to get through the worst of it. On average a skin cycle is 5-6 weeks. At the age of 19-21,the process can take 14-21 days compared to a middle-aged adult where it is estimated to be 28 days.
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.
Skin Type Suitability: Salicylic acid is particularly effective for oily and acne-prone skin due to its ability to penetrate and clean out pores. Niacinamide, on the other hand, is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin, due to its gentle and soothing properties. 3.
Some home remedies include: Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil can prevent or stop the growth of bacteria. Apply a small amount of tea tree oil to a cotton applicator and rub it on your pimples. Sugar or salt scrubs: Sugar and salt scrubs scratch away (exfoliate) dead cells on the surface of your skin.
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.
Niacinamide isn't typically known to cause purging, but some people may experience mild breakouts as their skin adjusts. These usually clear up within a few weeks.
Don't use it with exfoliating ingredients: Niacinamide can increase skin sensitivity, so it's best to avoid using it with exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Don't use it if you have an allergy: Niacinamide, like any other skincare ingredient, can cause allergic reactions in some people.