Our recent posts have presented some of the hidden gems of beauty science, allowing you to include these wonder-ingredients in your skincare routine. Niacinamides are yet another powerful weapon in your fight against ageing.

This article explains what they are, how they help, and why you should consider adopting them into your skincare routine.

Remember, there is no single potion that ‘does it all’. Anti-ageing requires a team of ingredients and treatments, each addressing a different component of skin decline by giving your skin precisely what it needs to thrive.

Combining these at-home treatments is as essential as having your routine Opulent Aesthetics treatments, as they work together, producing lasting results.

To find out more about creating a tailored routine that includes specialist treatments and a home routine, book a consultation with Sadie, who has studios in Caterham and Purley, South Croydon.

What are niacinamides?

Niacinamides, also known as nicotinamide, are a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 (niacin). A biologically active compound available in several food items, its versatility and benefits to the skin are well-documented.

You can enjoy its benefits by applying it topically (on the skin) and by consuming it in your diet, although the effects may be less direct.

How do niacinamides benefit the skin?

Niacinamides enhance the formation of your stratum corneum lipids – the outer protective barrier of your skin. Lipids are essential for maintaining healthy skin and help lock in moisture for hydration.

Your skin barrier is formed by a lipid matrix, comprising 50% ceramides, 25% cholesterol, and 10-20% free fatty acids. Collectively, they provide antibacterial properties, prevent permeability to keep out pathogens, including pollution, and bind to water to maintain hydration.

Because niacinamides are so important to lipids, they boost the effects of moisturisers and serums containing lipids, like linoleic acid (omega 6), oleic acid (omega 9), and phospholipids.

Additionally, niacinamides reduce inflammation, helping to manage conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. If your skin is naturally oily, niacinamides help manage your sebum production, reducing unexpected breakouts. This is because excess sebum (oil) production leads to microbial issues that exacerbate conditions like acne and dermatitis.

Niacinamides also smooth skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation by reducing the transfer of melanocytes to keratinocytes, which leaves dark spots and an uneven complexion.

Niacinamides also support your anti-ageing quest by supporting collagen production, softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Antioxidant and DNA repair benefits are often overlooked, but they are important for skin maintenance. Niacinamides are effective at correcting oxidative stress.

To see the benefits, you will need concentrations between 2% and 5%. Results can vary between individuals, however, clinical studies demonstrated that the benefits can be observed between 4-12 weeks of regular use.

_________________________________________________________________________

Must read: Ceramides, A Hidden Gem For Skincare

_________________________________________________________________________

How to include niacinamides into your daily routine

Your daily skincare routine should be robust and comprehensive. There is no single ingredient that addresses all skin-related concerns, so the magic formula involves an array of products and the professional treatments provided by Opulent Aesthetics, and rotating them.

Here is an example of a skincare routine you can begin immediately.

Morning routine:

• Start with a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil, loose dead skin cells, and any microbes lurking at the surface of your skin.
• Vitamin C serum (L-ascorbic acid or an appropriate derivative) – apply your serum to dry skin, and wait 10 minutes or so for the PH level to stabilise before applying anything else.
• Apply your niacinamide serum (5-10% concentration) – It is safe to layer this with your vitamin C, and will help soothe irritation and inflammation.
• Apply a ceramide moisturiser (cream or serum) – it will reinforce your skin’s protective barrier and ensure hydration is maintained.
• Apply sunscreen – apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 to protect your skin from sun damage. SPF 50+ is ideal.

Evening routine:

• As always, begin with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities that have accumulated on your skin in the course of the day, including makeup, pollution, etc.
• Apply your niacinamide serum to prepare your skin for retinoid application, minimising irritation.
• Apply a retinoid cream (start with once or twice a week, building up to 3-4 times, as your tolerance increases). Your retinol should be no more than 0.5-1% concentration, unless prescribed by a medical professional.
• Apply your ceramide cream to lock in moisture and enhance the effects of the retinol. Sandwiching the retinol between the niacinamide and ceramide reduces irritation, making the treatment more effective.

Combining niacinamides with professional treatments

Microneedling and facial peel treatments work well to enhance your skin’s natural radiance by stimulating collagen and elastin production and exposing younger skin. Microneedling, in particular, works by creating micropunctures in the surface of your skin to promote your skin’s wound healing response. Whereas facial peels dissolve the outermost layer of your skin.

Both of these treatments are effective, but cause mild inflammation. Niacinamides help reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation following treatment and promote wound healing.

Remember not to use retinols and vitamin C for at least 48-72 hours post-treatment (depending on how sensitive you are) because they cause mild irritation, and your skin will already be inflamed and sensitive.

Your post-treatment routine should look like this:

• A gentle, non-foaming cleanser.
• Niacinamide (2-5%)
• Ceramide-rich moisturiser
• After you have fully healed (3-5 days), introduce retinols and vitamin C as normal.

Final thoughts

Your skin is constantly fighting a battle against external stressors like the sun, pollution, and ageing needs nothing more than time to erode your youthful appearance.

That’s why taking care of your skin requires a diverse and long-term strategy that includes professional treatments and a good aftercare routine. It’s never a case of ‘set and forget’. Rather, constantly maintaining your skin, so it looks its best for as long as possible.

Opulent Aesthetics provides revolutionary treatments that cater for all of your skin’s needs, including microneedling with exosomes – a revolutionary treatment, facial peels, and skin booster injections, including polynucleotide treatments, all of which correct fine lines and improve skin quality over time.

We also provide the latest research in beauty science, keeping you informed about how to take care of your skin at home, and Niacinamides are one of the secret formulas you can rely on.

Unfortunately, no matter how much we invest in preserving our youth, age will inevitably ensure its decline, but fear not, because our anti-wrinkle injections provide the perfect solution, with decades of recorded efficacy and safety records.

If you are concerned about your skin quality and want to see enhancements, book a free consultation with Opulent Aesthetics today, and Sadie, our lead practitioner, will guide you through your treatment options.