Vitamin B3 or Niacinamide is a popular ingredient in skin care products – and it is easy to see why – not only does it build proteins in the skin and lock in moisture to prevent environmental damage, it also helps in the following ways:

  • Builds immunity: Niacinamide helps build keratin, a type of protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy.
  • Improves the Lipid barrier: Niacinamide can help your skin grow a ceramide (lipid) barrier, which helps retain moisture. This is beneficial for all skin types, especially if you have eczema or mature skin
  • Minimises redness and blotchiness: Niacinamide reduces inflammation, which may help ease redness from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
  • Minimises pore appearance. Keeping skin smooth and moisturised may have a secondary benefit — a reduction in pore size.
  • Regulates oil: Niacinamide also helps regulate the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce and prevent your glands from going into overdrive.
  • Protects against sun damage: Niacinamide can help rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
  • Treats hyperpigmentation: Research has found 5% niacinamide concentrations can be helpful in lightening dark spots.
  • Minimises fine lines and wrinkles: Research has also found that the same concentration was helpful in reducing some signs of sun damage that come with ageing. This includes fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Protects against oxidative stress: Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
  • Treats acne: Niacinamide may be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules.

It is, however, Niacinamide’s lightening and brightening effect that we would specifically like to highlight.  According to an article published by the American Academy of Dermatology in 2006, research by Procter & Gamble proved that the Niacinamide is an excellent skin lightening agent with an improvement of between 35 – 68% being seen after 12 weeks of daily usage.

Niacinamide effectively reduces areas of jagged pigmentation and age spots. Its effectiveness at lightening, while at the same time soothing the skin, makes it an excellent solution for pigmentation control without the harmful side effects commonly associated with many other skin lightening agents.  However, due to its inhibitory effect and in order to get the most out of it, it is still advised that you wear sunscreen every day. 

Niacinamide is a key ingredient in many of Celltone’s skin care products including the Spot Control Range and Celltone’s new Brightening Range, which also uses Arbutin, a natural botanical extract derived from plants such as bearberry, pear, and pomegranate known for its natural skin-brightening properties.

It is also possible to take Vitamin B in the form of supplements however this is best done under the supervision of a medical professional.  Vitamin B however, can be found in many foods including eggs, cereals, green, veggies, beans, fish and milk.

 (Additional Info: MaxlifeUSA; Healthline)

For more information on Celltone’s Brightening Range, visit www.celltone.co.za and follow up on Facebook.