Niacinamide has taken the skincare industry by storm. Its benefits have been known for a while, but its inclusion in topical skincare products has proven to render excellent benefits for the skin and even skin conditions like acne and eczema.

Our team of skin experts and dermatologists have spent countless hours determining which ingredients are beneficial for the specific pH balance of men’s skin, and which ones aren’t worth putting in our products. Our product formulations are always intentional, and Niacinamide is one of our favorites.

Here’s everything you need to know about Niacinamide: what it is, how it gets into skincare products, and what you can expect in terms of benefits. 

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also known as Nicotinamide, is a form of Vitamin B-3, which is an essential nutrient. It is often confused with Niacin, which is similarly a form of Vitamin B-3, but with a different molecular structure. Niacin can be taken in supplement form, and the body then produces Niacinamide. This is the case in our Fountain of Youth Skin Supplement, which incorporates Niacin, as well as a probiotic blend and other vital nutrients for skin health. In topical form, the nutrient is typically incorporated into skincare products at 5%.

Niacinamide promotes the construction of proteins within the skin while helping lock in moisture to the skin barrier. As a result, Niacinamide has copious benefits that include brightening, skin cell restoration, and battling sun damage. 

The Skin Benefits of Topical Niacinamide

In short, Niacinamide is thought of as a Fountain of Youth-like ingredient for its ability to restore skin cell strength on a molecular level. Because it is so effective at building proteins within the skin and helping lock in moisture, its benefits cover pretty much any skin concern you might have. 

Bolsters Skin Cell Restoration and Immunity

You can think of Niacinamide as a boost of immunity to your skin. It helps skin cells restore and maintain their energy levels, repairs damaged DNA and promotes the skin’s ability to protect itself and self-repair against sun damage and UV ray exposure. These benefits all contribute to preventing premature aging and the natural degeneration of skin with age and environmental weathering.  

Brightening and Anti-Inflammatory

Niacinamide is most commonly known for helping to treat discoloration and hyperpigmentation. The form of Vitamin B-3 helps promote collagen production, which is a natural protein within the skin that keeps it elastic and youthful. By stimulating the natural skin cell rejuvenation process, Niacinamide can battle redness, rosacea, and discoloration, and even brighten dark spots on the skin. 

Treats Acne

As a natural anti-inflammatory, Niacinamide helps treat more severe forms of acne – especially inflammatory forms of acne-like papules, pustules, and whiteheads. It smooths skin texture and reduces redness, making it helpful for more subtle forms of acne as well like small bumps, razor burn, or shaving pimples. 

Restores the Skin Moisture Barrier

Because Niacinamide is a team player with proteins within the skin, it bolsters the skin’s ability to retain moisture. The lipid barrier is the skin surface that retains moisture and keeps the skin naturally lubricated. Niacinamide bolsters proteins like lipids and collagen to help the skin stay moisturized, and hydrated, and battle against dry skin and eczema. 

Furthermore, Niacinamide is excellent at regulating excess oil. If you struggle with oily skin, an oily nose, or large pore sizes, the nutrient helps bring balance back to the skin surface. For its ability to balance both dry and oily skin, Niacinamide is especially effective for Combination skin types. 

Minimizes Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Lastly, Niacinamide is an anti-aging ingredient in its ability to restore moisture and prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Sun damage contributes heavily to the formation of wrinkles and premature aging, and Niacinamide can both prevent and repair this. 

Ingredients to Pair with Niacinamide

Niacinamide pairs well with many ingredients because it's such a versatile nutrient for the skin. When it comes to protecting against UV rays and sun damage, Niacinamide and Zinc or Copper work well together in SPF skincare products. The duo of Niacinamide and Zinc also help to treat acne as their anti-inflammatory properties are combined. 

Moisture retention is a significant factor of Niacinamide, and when paired with the plumping Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide effectively bolsters the skin's moisture barrier and keeps the skin in balance, fighting dry skin and excess oil levels. 

Let’s Disco

Here at Disco, we are invested in the best of the best when it comes to all-natural ingredients. We do the work and research of deliberating the most beneficial ingredients to include to help men’s skin. Niacinamide is truly one of our favorites for its uses in treating acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin, wrinkles, and fine lines.