Niacinamide is also known as Vitamin B3. Niacinamide is a derivative of niacin, which is found in all cells and plays a pivotal role in the cell’s energy production. Niacinamide has been shown to be beneficial to all skin types and skin ages, particularly acne-prone skin and aging skin. This article will solely focus on the anti-aging benefits of niacinamide.
For aging skin, niacinamide helps in a number of ways: it helps to improve the moisture barrier of the skin, boost collagen production and reverse dark spots, or hyperpigmentation – also called sun spots or age spots.
A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology in 2000 stated that the application of niacinamide topically increased the levels of ceramides and fatty acids in the skin. This in turn helps lock moisture into the outer layer of skin, helping to protect skin from drying out. Dry skin looks older and makes wrinkles more visible. In contrast, moisturized skin has a plump, soft appearance.
Niacinamide has also been shown to boost the production of collagen. Collagen works with the protein elastin to create the skins’ support structure, making it firm, yet flexible. Thankfully, niacinamide also helps to boost fibroblast production, which is responsible for creating elastin.
So this ingredient can stimulate both collagen and elastin, leading to the rebuilding of the supportive foundation of the skin. As the foundation is improved, skin that once sagged and showed wrinkles can be visibly plumped and firm, essentially filling in those wrinkles from the inside out, leading to an overall younger-looking appearance.
A study in 2003 showed that adding niacinamide at just 5% to a moisturizer led to ‘significant improvements’ in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation spots, texture and red blotchiness for women aged 40-60. This shows that even at low levels, vitamin B3 can be beneficial in reducing the signs of aging.
Another way that vitamin B3 helps to minimize the appearance of aging is by reducing and even reversing age spots. Dark spots pop up on skin often as a result of too much sun exposure and can be one of the telltale signs of aging, some that can be difficult to remove or minimize, until now.
Niacinamide has been proven at a 4% concentration to help lighten the areas of dark pigmentation and even out skin tone. It also helps prevent additional spots from developing. Not only can you erase these signs of aging, but also help protect against future skin spots developing just by using niacinamide.
Niacinamide is a powerful, proven ingredient that works on a number of levels to improve the appearance of aging skin. Use products that contain vitamin B3 and see the difference this ingredient can make on your skin. With the power of these studies, Ageless Perfection Cream and Micro Algae Immun-B3 Serum have been supercharged with the proven efficacy of Niacinamide for a visibly glowing complexion.
Love, gratitude and wishing you a gorgeous healthy skin,
Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu MSc., PhD.
*Scientific references
1-Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin.Bissett DL, Miyamoto K, Sun P, Li J, Berge CA. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2004 Oct;26(5):231-8.
2-The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer.Hakozaki T, Minwalla L, Zhuang J, Chhoa M, Matsubara A, Miyamoto K, Greatens A, Hillebrand GG, Bissett DL, Boissy RE. Br J Dermatol. 2002 Jul;147(1):20-31.
3-Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier.Tanno O, Ota Y, Kitamura N, Katsube T, Inoue S. Br J Dermatol. 2000 Sep;143(3):524-31.
