Trend beauty ingredient niacinamide: what is it, what can it do?

It promises smaller pores, glowing skin and is also the new holy grail of the beauty scene. We explain to you what niacinamide can do and for whom it is suitable.

Niacinamide? Uh, please …? Never heard of it, I thought when I first saw the term on the Internet. And suddenly, a few weeks later, mine speak Favorite skincare gurus on Instagram incessantly from it. Model Hailey Bieber describes it as: "Favorite skincare ingredient of life!" and German skin care professional Leon from @xskincare says: "Niacinamide is an all-rounder that belongs in every routine. "

And it is definitely an active ingredient that deserves our attention - it is very versatile and therefore contained in a wide variety of care products. Research shows time and time again that it's one of the most exciting ingredients to use in skin care. It is also suitable for all skin types and is very well tolerated.

The questions we are now asking ourselves are: What kind of active ingredient is it? What can he do? And what exactly is it suitable for now? We have listed the most important pluses for you:

• It is a vitamin: niacinamide belongs to the group of B3 vitamins. It is water-soluble and can therefore be perfectly absorbed by the skin, on which it can then develop its many positive effects.
• Niacinamide is great for people who are familiar with Fight dry, tight skin to have. It increases the moisture ability of moisturizers, which means that the body can better cope with the natural moisture loss of the skin. Niacinamide works great with common moisturizers or (non-scented) vegetable oils.
• It brings benefits for too Skin types prone to blemishes, as it can be anti-inflammatory and calming. Niacinamide also regulates sebum production: the skin is less greasy and enlarged pores appear smaller. An uneven skin tone, for example due to pimple marks or redness, becomes smoother and more even.
• Niacinamide stimulates the skin's own ceramide production. Incidentally, ceramides form a natural barrier that protects the skin from drying out and prevents foreign substances from penetrating. It promotes the regeneration of the skin, which is particularly beneficial for dry skin. If the ceramide production is too weak, it can cause all sorts of skin problems like dandruff or increased sensitivity.
• It has a Anti-aging effect, as it stimulates the formation of collagen - the formation of wrinkles is slowed down, fine lines are sometimes evened out.
• The appearance of the pores is positively influenced: The size of the pores is largely genetic. However, due to the reduction in sebum production, less sebum accumulates in the pores. Clean Pores appear much smaller, as clogged or unclean pores.

What is the best way to use it?

Many washing gels, face masks and creams already contain niacinamide. For the extra boost there is the Active ingredient also as serum, what is used as a treatment after washing the face and applying before the moisturizing cream. The concentration varies depending on the product - most serums contain between five and ten percent. Especially with sensitive skin, you should definitely start with lower concentrated products and get yourself "work up" over time.

As with any new skincare product, it takes a bit of time, around four to six weeks, to get one visible effectachieved. When used daily, niacinamide can have positive effects on overall skin health, reduce inflammation and improve the overall complexion.

Of course, despite its many positive properties, there is no universal guarantee that niacinamide will suit everyone's skin. We definitely recommend Consultation with a dermatologist to keep. They will advise you individually and recommend a skincare routine that is tailored to your personal skin needs.