Vitamin B-3's Roll In Skin Care.

Everywhere you look, you find that your body needs various varieties of vitamin B to function from B-12 to one of the latest, B-3 for your skin.  It is said that B-3 is giving vitamin C some competition right now.  Vitamin B-3 is also known as niacinamide and it is how you'll see this ingredient listed on face serums.  This vitamin has acquired the reputation for both brightening and hydrating the skin.

Vitamin B-3 is water soluble vitamin that cannot be synthesized by the body. This means we get it via the food we eat and via topical applications for the face.  The nice thing about this particular vitamin is that it can be used both morning and night. 

Vitamin B-3 has the ability to restore cellular energy, help repair damaged DNA, and reduce the effects of UV damage.  In addition, it can fight off internal and external stressors that cause your skin to break down, leading to premature aging. In addition, it can help cut down on the formation of brown spots on the skin.  It is also decreases redness, provides hydration, helps manufacture healthy fats for glowing skin, while strengthening the skin barrier. It is said to be good for people with sensitive skin and it is excellent for people who find other skin products irritating.  Vitamin B-3 is often found in sunscreens to help prevent damage to the skin. 

Although niacinamide is gentle on the skin, it is important to check its concentration because if there is too much of it in the skin care product it can cause issues so look for a concentration of between one and two  percent. Any higher concentration might make your skin red or even dermatitis. It is important to choose a product that allows the B-3 to penetrate the skin for maximum effectiveness.

Furthermore, vitamin B-3 can be found in several different.  The nicotinamide also known as niacinamide is actually the amide form of B-3 while niacin is the acid form.  In addition, niacin is more easily found in drugstores and is often suggested as a way of lowering cholesterol ratios but can cause the body to flush bright red. So it is important to make sure the B-3 listed as the amide ending.

Although it is recommended that people not combine niacinamide with vitamin C because when they combine they form an acid which can cause redness but which eventually forms into nicotinic acid with extreme heat but under normal circumstances, it is fine but if you have sensitive skin, you might want to use only one or the other.

So if you see niacinamide on the label, you know more about it.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to know.  Have a great day.