Researchers found Niacinamide is an important ingredient in skin lightening, which works to stop the transfer of melanin pigment (responsible for the darkening of the skin) to skin cells (keratinocyte). Niacinamide decreases hyperpigmentation and lightens skin gradually after using it for a long duration.
Dr. Rabach says it may take one to two months to see results. In general, the research found it may take anywhere from four to 12 weeks to see the benefits of niacinamide in the skin.
Various studies demonstrated that Niacinamide offers multiple skin benefits such as fading age spots, lightening and whitening of skin. It can be either applied topically or used orally to achieve beneficial effects to the skin.
Niacinamide in concentrations of 5% and greater works via several pathways to keep new discolorations from appearing. At the same time, it also helps reduce the appearance of existing discolorations, so your skin tone looks more even.
Niacinamide does not inhibit the production of melanin but it was shown in 2002 that niacinamide inhibits the transfer of the melanosomes to the surrounding keratinocytes by up to 68%. The scientists used a keratinocyte/ melanocyte co-culture model.
Niacinamide helps hydrate skin, treats hyperpigmentation, promotes skin elasticity, decreases redness and blotchiness and acts as an antioxidant, fighting free radicals. Research has shown that niacinamide can help fade hyperpigmentation on the skin.
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, can be used to remove tan and lighten the skin. It is effective as it decreases the amount of melanin transferred by pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) to the surface by more than half.
Retinol has similar benefits, but it's stronger than niacinamide. It's also known to cause irritation, redness, and dry skin. Pairing the two ingredients is safe and can make retinol easier to use. Niacinamide helps hydrate the skin, which reduces the risk of irritation caused by retinol.
-Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and signs of congestion, visibly brightens skin tone. -Zinc PCA: Visibly regulates excess sebum activity.
It's an ingredient found in a number of moisturizing skin-care products, as well as certain foods and supplements like multivitamins. Can you use niacinamide every day? Yes. In fact, you can use niacinamide-containing topical products in the morning and night because it's generally a gentle ingredient.
According to the NCBI, hyaluronic acid is often used in products designed to address visible wrinkles and improve skin elasticity. Benefit #3: Brighten. Products formulated with hyaluronic acid can also brighten skin's appearance. Skin will appear smoother and plumped with hydration after using.
The brightening properties of vitamin C also extend to fading dark spots and lightening hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C inhibits the pathway of abnormal production of skin pigments (melanin) to even out the skin tone and lightens dark spots, sun spots, acne scars, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation due to melasma.
✔️ It improves tone and fades dark spots.
If you have dark patches, freckles from the sun, or spots, consider niacinamide. “In specific concentrations, niacinamide is thought to be able to block the enzyme responsible for producing pigmentation, or melanin, and improve skin tone,” says Dr. Gonzalez.
"Products with niacinamide and vitamin C will help lighten dark underarms," Dr. Jaliman points out. "You don't want to use strong ingredients since the skin under your arms is a sensitive area." "This cream is gentle and contains vitamin C (which lightens) and vitamin E (which is moisturizing)," Dr.
While there's no current research specifically on niacinamide's effectiveness in general on melanin-rich skin, it's likely that it would be able to reduce sun damage and dark spots because of its ability to reduce melanin production, Dr. Amin says.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr. Marchbein.
Using a product with, say, 10% niacinamide won't cause any major issues, but you may experience some irritation and redness, especially because niacinamide is quite easily absorbed into skin.
Both vitamin C and niacinamide increase the natural production of ceramides in your skin which helps to strengthen your skin barrier, keep your skin hydrated, and reduce irritation. However, niacinamide is probably the better option for sensitive skin as it's usually gentler than vitamin C.
The study also suggests that retinoids are a preferred choice for scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. As retinoids are more potent than niacinamide, they can often cause more side effects. Retinol may trigger inflammation and irritation that causes: burning, tingling, or tightness of the skin.
You can absolutely use vitamin C and niacinamide together, Singh goes on to emphasize. That said, if you ever have any doubts as to whether it's safe to mix two skin care ingredients, a dermatologist can always offer advice.
Niacinamide can stabilize the melanosome activity within the cells, which can improve residual hyperpigmentation from acne scars as well as those who suffer from melasma.
A 2016 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology looked at a product containing a cocktail of skin brighteners, including retinol, the antioxidant resveratrol, and niacinamide. Smoothing it on for four weeks lessened hyperpigmentation, improved clarity, and evened skin tone, the researchers concluded.