Since the skin is our largest organ, it’s always prone to damage. Whether we are exposing it to ultraviolet rays or use the wrong skincare products, that will end up causing various skin problems. It’s a very good idea to find products that fit your skin’s requirements, and niacinamide serum can be a solid option to keep in mind.
What is niacinamide serum?
Niacinamides are a form of Vitamin B3, they are water-soluble and their focus is to regulate oil production, but also improve the skin texture and boost the skin barrier. Upon using niacinamide serum, you can have access to a vast range of benefits, including:
- They will help keep any excess oil production under control
- You can use them to minimize the enlarged pores
- It’s a great way to reduce breakouts and acne-related problems
- With this serum, it becomes easier to handle pigmentation problems, while also brightening the dull skin
- It will allow you to reduce the redness and irritation problems, while also improving the skin texture.
Clearly, using niacinamide serum is a must if you have various skin problems and want to keep them under control. Unlike retinol or strong acids, niacinamide serum is easier to tolerate, and that means most people can use it without a problem.
How can you integrate niacinamide serum in your skincare routine?
Cleansing your face
Before you use the niacinamide serum, you will have to cleanse your face. If you have oily skin, gel or foaming cleanser is recommended, for dry skin it makes sense to opt for a hydrating cleaner.
Apply a toner
Once the face is clean, you want to add a toner. Even if this is an optional step, it helps because it allows you to balance the skin pH, while also making it easier for the skin to absorb your niacinamide serum. Apply it right after cleansing and let it dry for a little bit.
Applying the niacinamide serum
Now that the toner is applied, it will speed up the niacinamide serum absorption. Normally, you will need to use around 2-3 drops on your face. Applying is important:
- Add a few drops on the fingertips and use them to pat/press into the skin
- Don’t rub the skin aggressively, because it will not have the intended result
- Focus on dark spots, pores, as well as oily areas
- Leave the serum to absorb for around half a minute to a minute, and then you can move to the next step.
Add some moisturizer
Moisturizer is important because it will lock the hydration process skin. Even if you have oily skin, it makes sense to add a moisturizer. It will help retain balance, and that’s extremely important to keep in mind.
Apply sunscreen
If you apply the niacinamide serum in the morning or during the day, it makes sense to apply some SPF 30 or higher sunscreen on top of it. The reason is simple, you want to avoid any dark spots from appearing, and it also protects your skin as a whole.
What niacinamide serum percentage should you go for?
A lot of the time, you will find concentrations ranging from 5% to 10%. But which is the best niacinamide concentration? 5% is fine for a beginner and someone with sensitive skin or who wants gentle oil control and some brightening. However, if your needs are more complex, going with 10% concentration is the better option. It’s especially true for combination or oily skin, or people dealing with acne. There are 15% concentration products, but unless specified by a doctor, those should be something to avoid.
How much does it take to see any results, though? It depends on the skin issues you have. Ut for the most part, it will take around 3-4 weeks to see improvements for acne, dark spots and skin texture. If you use this for oil control, you should see results in just 2-3 weeks. So yes, you won’t have to wait for multiple months until you see results, which is very good. But you need to have patience.
Closing thoughts
Using niacinamide serum can be great, especially if you combine it with hyaluronic acid, retinol, sunscreen or salicylic acid. It’s important to talk with a doctor in order to identify how much niacinamide you need, when to use the serum and whether it’s a good option for you or not. But in general, if you have a mature or sensitive skin, acne-prone or oily skin, then niacinamide serum is a solid option to consider. It’s a very good purchase to consider, but stick with the product guidelines and information, as mixing too many actives can be an issue. Plus, be patient, it can take a few weeks to see results, and consistency is key!
FAQ
How can you apply niacinamide serum correctly?
You will need to cleanse and tone your skin, and then you apply 2-3 drops of niacinamide serum to your face. Pat the serum onto your skin, let it absorb and then you follow everything with a moisturizer.
Is it a good idea to use a toner before the niacinamide serum?
While it’s not mandatory to use a toner, it does help quite a bit. It allows you to balance the pH of your skin, while improving the serum absorption. That makes it an excellent option to keep in mind.
What percentage of niacinamide serum is suitable for beginners?
Ideally, you should start with 5% niacinamide serum, and then slowly go from there. If you have sensitive skin, 5% concentration will be enough. You can go to 10% if you have acne-prone or oily skin.
How much time do you need to wait until you see results?
It depends, but for the most part you will see results in 2-3 weeks. However, if you want to see texture, acne or pigmentation improvements, that can take up to a month.
Will the niacinamide serum boost the skin barrier?
Yes, and the upside is that it will help protect your skin against environmental damage. That makes it one of the top solutions to consider if you want to keep your skin barrier very strong.
