How to Use Niacinamide Serum Like a Dermatologist

Niacinamide is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare these days, and there are many reasons why. In this article, we’ll take a look at the various benefits of niacinamide for the skin, what’s in a serum, and how to use it from a respected nationally certified dermatologist.

What is niacinamide? Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for overall body and skin health. As nationally recognized dermatologist Dr. Davin Lim explains, niacinamide is considered a very effective and flexible active ingredient, explaining that it’s actually one of the easiest vitamins to use in skin care because it’s paired with vitamin C A (aka. It’s highly tolerable and has a very low frequency of side effects even compared to vitamin C (retinol).

Niacinamide serums are a great way to incorporate the multiple skin benefits of niacinamide into your daily skincare routine, as the serum (due to its lightweight formula) contains a high concentration of active ingredients that can be released into the skin to specifically treat specific skin concerns.

What Are the Benefits of Niacinamide for Skin? According to nationally recognized dermatologist Dr. Shereen Idriss, topical niacinamide can perform many different functions in the skin, such as:

Therefore, it is important to keep the skin intact and tightly bound by keratin to maintain the skin’s immune function and better protect us from external influences. Improves lipid barrier function:

Niacinamide can also increase the production of ceramides.

Ceramides are lipids that act as intercellular “glue,” holding skin cells together and keeping the skin soft and hydrated. Increased ceramide production allows the skin to retain its natural moisture, which can help treat certain conditions such as eczema.

Anti-inflammatory effects: Niacinamide has been shown to reduce the production of several mediators and molecules involved in the inflammatory process [1]. Therefore, it is suitable for acne patients with inflammatory

bumps and acne.

In addition, niacinamide can help reduce redness, which Dr. Lindane may be beneficial for people with rosacea. Regulates oil secretion: 2% Niacinamide has been shown to control the secretion and excretion of sebum, which is responsible for facial shine and the formation of acne.

Helps Even Skin Tone: There is evidence that niacinamide may be a potent compound that inhibits the transfer of melanin granules, also known as melanosomes, from melanocytes to keratinocytes.

While niacinamide alone may not be effective in combating hyperpigmentation, Dr. Shereene Idriss says it can enhance the effects of other ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, and arbutin to even out skin tone.

Anti-aging effects: Niacinamide has the potential to boost collagen synthesis in the skin and inhibit its breakdown, thereby providing a firming effect, improving surface texture, and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. So what can niacinamide be used for?

Due to its numerous proven biological functions in the skin, niacinamide may be suitable for all skin types to treat different skin concerns. Certified dermatologists use it for: Acne-prone skin and oily skin.

What is the optimal concentration to apply? Now that you know its many benefits and uses, you might think that the higher the concentration of niacinamide in your serum, the better, right? We tell you that’s not true.

Niacinamide serums come in concentrations ranging from 2% to 20%, with 10% being the most common. Nationally recognized dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu, however, notes that most of niacinamide’s benefits have been demonstrated at lower concentrations of 2% to 5%, with no studies showing any real benefit at higher concentrations.

In fact, Dr. Shereene Idris notes that “more isn’t enough,” and serums above 5% (like those in 10% formulas) can cause irritation, inflammation, and breakouts—all skin concerns you really want to treat.

In that order, most board-certified dermatologists recommend niacinamide serums with concentrations between 2% and 5%. Additionally, you can look for serums that already combine niacinamide with other ingredients to minimize the number of products you use to treat a specific skin concern, such as Dr. Shereene Idris recommends.

Dr. Shereene Idriss believes that these 10% serums, formulated with 1% zinc (like regular niacinamide serums), act as an anti-inflammatory agent and greatly reduce the inflammatory potential of niacinamide.

How to use niacinamide serums correctly? The great thing about niacinamide is that, according to Dr. Davin Lim, it combines well with most ingredients in skincare, such as retinol and vitamin C. From this point of view, niacinamide serums can be used with other skincare products without any incompatibility.

– Should you use it in the morning or at night? It can be used in the morning and/or at night, but most people prefer to use niacinamide serums at night, which is also what Dr. Davin Lim recommends.

– How is it used? If you are new to niacinamide serums, Dr. Shereene Idriss recommends starting with one daily application to see how your skin reacts to this new product.

When it comes to your skincare routine, products should be used in a specific order. In a basic skincare routine, serums should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing (in the morning or at night). Why in this order?

Nationally recognized dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah divides skin care into three phases:

1. Cleansing: It is important to remove dirt, sweat, oil, and impurities so that your skin is clean and ready to enjoy the benefits of skincare products and active ingredients.

2. Treatment: This step uses a multi-ingredient serum that targets your skin’s specific concerns.

3. Protect: In this step, moisturizer is applied to prevent moisture loss from the skin, followed by sunscreen (AM process) to protect the skin from UV rays. He explained that niacinamide acts on the skin during the

treatment phase and then seals the skin with a layer of moisture. Conclusion: Niacinamide has been shown to be an excellent multifunctional active ingredient that is suitable for all skin types and is well tolerated.

It can relieve skin problems. Although it deserves the hype, it is important to know that concentration plays a key role, and dermatologists recommend choosing serums with concentrations between 2% and 5% to obtain the maximum benefits

Niacinamide does not have the risk of inflammatory reactions. Scientific evidence proves its effectiveness and safety.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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