Niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinamide and is a water- and alcohol-soluble, stable, low molecular weight vitamin that penetrates the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of our skin.
Niacinamide is a precursor to a series of cofactors that participate in many enzymatic reactions in the skin, thereby positively influencing numerous skin processes.
What are the benefits of niacinamide?
- It is effective for controlling oil and increasing ceramide levels.
- It helps moisturise the skin, preventing it from drying out or flaking.
- It has anti-ageing effects to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- It improves skin elasticity.
- It is an antioxidant that helps reverse the signs of photoaging.
- It is an effective agent for lightening, evening out skin tone and brightening skin suffering from hyperpigmentation.
- It is an effective treatment for acne, dermatitis and rosacea. It inhibits inflammation, thereby reducing post-acne erythema, and its anti-pigmentation effects reduce the severity of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne. It also reduces scarring, helps keep skin pores open and reduces sebum production.
- It has a photoprotective effect as it reduces damage caused by exposure to blue light and UV rays: it optimises the DNA repair process and reduces the suppression of immunity induced by UV radiation.
- It acts as a vasodilator, improving blood circulation in the scalp and stimulating the metabolism of hair follicles.
- It improves skin texture and epidermal surface structure while accelerating keratinocyte differentiation.
- It has a comprehensive protective effect against atmospheric pollution and PM (particulate matter): it suppresses the generation of free radicals and reduces oxidative stress in keratinocytes.
An all-purpose ingredient
In addition to all its qualities, niacinamide has another great advantage: it is very well tolerated. This means it can be used on all skin types. It is especially recommended for sensitive skin with redness and/or prone to rosacea, pigmentation disorders, acne or signs of ageing. Due to its high versatility and compatibility with other cosmetic active ingredients, niacinamide is present in many cosmetics (cleansers, serums, creams, masks, etc.). This makes it easy to find a product that is suitable for each skin type and specific problem.
As mentioned above, niacinamide is highly compatible with any of the active ingredients commonly used in skincare, including retinol, peptides, hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C, and all types of antioxidants.
Polyvitamins, nutrient solution
The Institute BCN Polyvitamins formula incorporates niacinamide or vitamin B3 among its components, in addition to vitamins A, C and E combined with the B complex (B1, B2, B5 and B6). This is a vitamin complex that contributes to deep skin nutrition.
It is essential to stimulate cells through a regular supply of energising elements. This highly antioxidant cocktail smooths the skin’s texture, balancing nutritional deficiencies caused by external and internal factors. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces hyperpigmentation and stimulates the metabolism of hair follicles due to its vasodilator effect, which improves blood circulation in the scalp.
Download the complete Polyvitamins Nutritive Solution data sheet here.
MesoPure for acne-prone skin
Within the BCN Pre & Post range, we find another product that incorporates niacinamide in its formulation. MesoPure is a daily-use gel for the care of acne-prone skin. It has purifying, gentle exfoliating, astringent and soothing properties. In addition to niacinamide, it contains panthenol, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, calendula, allantoin, camphor, zinc, biotin and menthol, among other active ingredients. MesoPure provides the following specific benefits:
- It has a gentle exfoliating action that prevents pore blockage.
- It minimises and prevents pore dilation.
- It has purifying properties that help prevent acne proliferation.
- It has an astringent action that helps restore the skin’s natural balance.
- It soothes and refreshes redness associated with
inflammatory acne processes, evening out skin tone. - It helps prevent and improve acne marks.
