Can I use niacinamide on open areas?
Niacinamide has been gaining popularity in recent years. A highly effective ingredient that offers a range of skin benefits, niacinamide is a favorite among skincare experts and fans.
Due to wearing masks and daily skin stress, more and more people are experiencing frequent breakouts. Niacinamide is able to step in to help perfect the skin’s purity, moisturize the skin, and strengthen the protective skin barrier so it can function properly. If you’re wondering what niacinamide does for your skin, here’s a quick summary of its benefits before we get into whether or not you can use niacinamide on open areas.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that is naturally produced in the body thanks to amino acids found in certain forms of protein. In skincare, niacinamide can provide a hydrating effect to the skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, and the complexion is plump and full of youthful elasticity. It prevents further damage to the skin from free radicals by keeping the skin barrier healthy and strong.
It’s well known that niacinamide has similar effects on the skin as hyaluronic acid, but has its own unique properties. It regulates the skin’s sebum production, which reduces the frequency of breakouts and minimizes the appearance of pores, making it a useful ingredient for oily and blemish-prone skin. It’s an ingredient that can be easily and effectively incorporated into your daily routine, but always make sure you consult your doctor or dermatologist beforehand. If you want to learn more about niacinamide, read our dedicated blog post on using this ingredient on your face.
Now let’s dive into how to use niacinamide on open areas.
Can niacinamide be applied on pimples?
Yes, you absolutely can! Niacinamide is an ingredient that is highly effective and gentle on the skin. Many people prefer niacinamide, especially if they suffer from frequent breakouts, because the moisturizing ingredient regulates sebum production. Often, people who suffer from frequent breakouts opt for ingredients that are sometimes too strong for the skin. This causes the skin to produce too much sebum, leading to more blemishes and a vicious cycle that weakens the protective barrier and causes an imbalance in pH.
You’ll find that applying topical preparations, such as: B. Niacinamide-rich serums, applied to the surface of the skin, keep the complexion plump while reducing the size and redness of spots. Even after your complexion clears, you can continue to use these formulas to prevent hyperpigmentation or acne scarring caused by acne and exposure to free radicals.
Can I apply niacinamide to open wounds?
Yes, you can definitely apply niacinamide to open wounds. Multiple studies have shown how effective its anti-inflammatory properties are for the skin. Niacinamide speeds up wound healing by increasing fibroblast proliferation and migration. Both are essential for wound healing and speeding up surface healing.
Can I use niacinamide to pop pimples?
Yes, you can apply niacinamide to popped pimples. The only concern is that pimples should not be popped at all, but we know you’re only human. Here’s an example of how to treat a popped pimple so it doesn’t grow into a problematic pile of skin. Here’s what you should do after popping a pimple:
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial hand soap.
Blot the pimple with a clean cotton swab to remove any remaining blood and fluid.
To prevent infection in the infected area, wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in glycolic or salicylic acid toner.
Next, apply your nighttime treatment directly over the breakout to cover the area and keep bacteria out.
Continue with the rest of your evening skin care routine, avoiding the infected area.
When you wake up in the morning, wash your face with a cleanser that is low in salicylic acid, then apply a Vitamin Moisturizer C Concentrate Serum, wait 15 minutes, and then apply another serum containing niacinamide.
Complete your daily routine with an SPF 30 or higher for complete protection from UV rays and other free radicals.
Everyone’s skin is different; therefore, it’s important to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to ensure that you and your skin are comfortable incorporating niacinamide into your daily routine.
Does Niacinamide Cause Acne?
This is not the case, as niacinamide does not affect the skin in a way that could cause breakouts or detoxify the skin. When skincare increases the rate of cell turnover, you will notice that you will have more breakouts before your skin becomes clearer. Since niacinamide moisturizes the skin and does not exfoliate it, the ingredient is less likely to cause flaking or rashes.
When you combine niacinamide with an exfoliant like glycolic acid or salicylic acid, you’ll notice that any signs of irritation, flaking, dryness, redness, or discomfort are addressed.
Is niacinamide good for acne scars?
Yes, niacinamide is a great ingredient for treating acne scars. With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it can help prevent existing acne scars from remaining on the skin. When applied to the skin, niacinamide can reduce the pigmentation of dark spots and acne scars while reducing inflammation caused by active skin blemishes. When you combine niacinamide with acne-fighting ingredients like BHA and salicylic acid, the skin stays healthy, balanced, and easier to care for.
You can find out more about using niacinamide on open areas here. If you have any additional questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram. You can reach one of our skincare experts in our DMs.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
