Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) has long established itself as an "all-around active ingredient" thanks to its ability to address most skin conditions, from oily, acne-prone skin and enlarged pores to sensitive skin and hyperpigmentation. However, to achieve optimal treatment effectiveness in a short period, combining Niacinamide with synergistic active ingredients is a smart strategy that "Skintellectuals" always prioritize.

Let's explore with oh!oh! a deeper understanding of the mechanism of this active ingredient and combination formulas that bring remarkable changes to the skin.

1. The multifunctional benefits of Niacinamide for the skin

Niacinamide is not only a simple nourishing agent but also a treatment ingredient when used at appropriate concentrations.

• Brightens skin and provides in-depth pigment control

Unlike ingredients that reduce dark spots and fade pigmentation like Alpha Arbutin or Kojic Acid, which directly impact melanin formation, Niacinamide prevents the transfer of melanosomes (vesicles that transport and distribute melanin to the epidermis, causing the appearance of dark spots, freckles, and age spots).

Niacinamide promises to be a safer, gentler, and less irritating alternative to Hydroquinone. One study compared the effectiveness of 4% Niacinamide versus 4% Hydroquinone in treating melasma. After 8 weeks of treatment, Hydroquinone showed better results than Niacinamide. However, Niacinamide has the advantage of fewer side effects such as skin redness and itching compared to Hydroquinone (18% experienced side effects with Niacinamide and 29% with Hydroquinone).

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A study conducted on 18 Japanese women used a cream containing 5% Niacinamide on half of their face for 8 weeks. The results showed significant improvements in the size of hyperpigmented spots on the side of the face treated with Niacinamide compared to the side treated with a placebo cream.

• Anti-inflammatory and acne treatment support

Niacinamide reduces the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins (PGE2, IL-8, and IL-10) in epidermal keratinocytes. With this feature, Niacinamide soothes skin redness caused by eczema, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin conditions.

For a long time, topical antibiotics and retinoids were the gold standard in acne treatment. However, the overuse of topical antibiotics can contribute to the development of bacterial resistance and side effects. Therefore, alternative active ingredients to antibiotics have been developed, with Niacinamide being a potential candidate.

A study conducted on 60 people showed that 5% Niacinamide was more effective in treating acne than 1% Clindamycin. After 8 weeks of testing, both Niacinamide and Clindamycin were effective in reducing acne, with the group using 5% Niacinamide seeing an 87% reduction in acne symptoms and Clindamycin a 77% reduction.

Comparing the effectiveness of 5% Niacinamide and 1% Clindamycin in treating acne

In another trial comparing the effectiveness of Niacinamide and the antibiotic Erythromycin at the same 4% concentration in improving acne. Both groups showed good improvement in inflammatory lesions, but the group treated with Niacinamide was more effective at reducing sebum.

• Strengthens the skin barrier, restores sensitive skin

Niacinamide helps your skin maintain its normal protective barrier function and reduces skin sensitivity. The main job of your skin is to act as a barrier to keep essential components in and to prevent harmful effects from things in the external environment.

Niacinamide participates in the biosynthesis of ceramides in keratinocytes by activating the mRNA expression of serine palmitoyltransferase, a crucial enzyme for synthesizing sphingolipids - a group of lipids that make up the skin's protective barrier. By promoting ceramide synthesis, Niacinamide can improve the skin barrier, reduce water loss, and protect the skin from potential irritants. Additionally, Niacinamide also has the ability to accelerate wound healing and skin recovery. This ingredient is ideal for incorporating into a skincare routine after invasive procedures such as chemical peels, laser treatments, microneedling, etc.

• Antioxidant

Niacinamide protects cells from oxidative stress, inhibiting lipid, protein, and DNA oxidation processes and apoptosis in keratinocytes when the skin is exposed to environmental pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM 2.5).

Niacinamide also helps accelerate DNA repair, especially damage caused by UV rays. Due to this effect, more and more sunscreen products are integrating Niacinamide into their formulas because, in addition to protecting the skin from sun damage, the presence of niacinamide also helps quickly heal damage caused to the skin.

• Prevents aging

Niacinamide works in the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate the production of structural components such as Collagen (types I, III, and V), Elastin, and Fibrillin (types 1 and 2), while inhibiting the activity of collagen-degrading enzymes like MMPs (types 1, 3, and 9), thereby preventing aging and improving skin elasticity and firmness. Pores appear larger when the deep skin layers are less firm and saggy; this anti-aging mechanism also explains Niacinamide's ability to shrink pores.

In a study, Bissett et al. evaluated the ability of Niacinamide to impact signs of skin aging. Results after 12 weeks showed that a 5% Niacinamide cream helped improve a range of skin aging manifestations such as fine lines/wrinkles, texture, hyperpigmented spots, redness, and rough skin.

2. "Golden" combination duos to enhance effectiveness

• Combined with N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG)

The combination of Niacinamide and NAG optimizes the effectiveness of melanin pigment inhibition, brightens skin, and reduces the appearance of hyperpigmented spots better than using each compound alone.

NAG has skin-brightening and dark spot-fading effects due to its ability to inhibit the glycosylation of Tyrosinase – the enzyme primarily responsible for melanin pigment formation.

✦ Solution from oh!oh!: Skin Health Serum boasts an impressive ingredient list, containing 20% Niacinamide and 2% Acetyl Glucosamine. This perfect synergistic ratio addresses concerns like dark spots, dullness, and enlarged pores while ensuring gentle application on the skin.

Another plus point of oh!oh! Skin Health Serum is its lightweight, fast-absorbing texture that doesn't leave a greasy or uncomfortable feeling on the skin afterwards. With an affordable price compared to similar high-concentration Niacinamide products currently on the market, oh!oh! Skin Health Serum is a worthwhile choice for you to experience and feel the difference.

 

• Combine Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

If Niacinamide focuses on repairing and strengthening the protective barrier, HA will be responsible for deep hydration. Using HA as a primer will help Niacinamide absorb better and minimize the feeling of dryness and tightness when using high concentrations.

✦ Solution from oh!oh!: Combine Skin Health Serum with HA & Proteoglycans Amber Serum. The presence of 3 types of HA in the Amber line will instantly hydrate the skin, creating a foundation for 20% Niacinamide to exert its brightening and restorative power.

3. Product suggestions containing Niacinamide from oh!oh!

• oh!oh! 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐦 with the combination of 20% Niacinamide and 2% Acetyl Glucosamine - a synergistic ingredient with Niacinamide, helps significantly reduce pigment spots, control oil, moisturize, prevent aging, and brighten skin.

> > > See product details HERE.

• oh!oh! Cellular Corrective Cream is a versatile moisturizing cream featuring superior skin-restoring active ingredients that deeply moisturize the skin and fully protect it from environmental aggressors, resulting in firm, smooth, and radiant skin.

• oh!oh! HA serum: amber is a hydrating serum product for all skin types from the oh!oh! cosmetics brand (South Korea). The formula includes a rich blend of moisturizing ingredients that quickly and deeply penetrate the skin, providing instant and long-lasting hydration, while soothing, brightening, and strengthening the skin barrier, preventing wrinkle formation, and leaving skin firm, smooth, and supple. The serum has a rich but lightweight, fluid texture, leaving a refreshing feeling immediately after application.

> > >See product details HERE