The thing we miss most about being in the office – sorry, work BFFs – is the air-con. Working in a non-aircon home office gives us more breakouts, oilier, more reactive skin, and less radiance. That’s where niacinamide, or vitamin B3, comes in.
Dr Eileen Tan, dermatologist at Eileen Tan Skin Clinic and Associates, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, says the ingredient has three top benefits. It’s a powerful anti-ager as it protects cells against photo damage and environmental pollution. It is anti-inflammatory, so it will not worsen eczema, rosacea and acne. It also helps to both boost moisture content and reduce moisture loss in skin.
Other lesser-known benefits include lightening pigmentation and reducing pore size. Plus, it’s safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Xenia Wong, founder of Sigi Skin, is a fan of niacinamide. It’s used in three of her products, including the newest Dream Capsule overnight mask.
Wong started looking into the ingredient to help her own hyperpigmentation issues, then discovered it could do so much more. “Many Dream Capsule users have commented that their pores look smaller and pimple scars fade faster. It also works well with moisturising ingredients to restore skin’s moisture.”
Niacinamide also co-exists well with many active ingredients, says Dr Tan. “It can be combined with retinol or azelaic acid for anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory effects. It also works well with hyaluronic acid to improve skin absorption and hydration.”
Here are the benefits of niacinamide.
