The The best possible care for the décolleté That was the topic of last week's blog post. Our customers' reaction was clear: there was a lot of praise – but also the recurring question: "What exactly is niacinamide?" This ingredient is indeed found in countless skincare products. However, an explanation is usually lacking. Therefore, we decided to dedicate this post to the active ingredient with the pleasant-sounding name.
Facts and figures
First, to get you in the mood, here are a few facts: Niacinamide Niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide; it belongs to the B vitamin family) is found in an average of one in three skincare products worldwide. The market research company Mintel even reported that around 40 percent of all global skincare launches contained niacinamide in 2023. Wow, that's an impressive number. But what makes this active ingredient so popular? Science provides the answer. In the renowned "Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology," the substance is described as a multi-talented ingredient for the skin. This B3 vitamin strengthens the skin barrier to the maximum extent because it stimulates the production of ceramides. In short, ceramides are skin lipids that play a crucial role in protecting against transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Even a small amount leads to a remarkable reduction of 24 percent. This means more moisture remains in the tissue – and you can feel the difference almost immediately.
Best effect on problem skin
Niacinamide But they offer hope for problem skin. A clinical study from the University of Pennsylvania demonstrated that even a four percent vitamin B3 cream significantly alleviates visible acne after just eight weeks. Less inflammation! Less redness! Fewer blemishes! We're thrilled. Niacinamide also helps with pigmentation spots and age spots. The reason is easily explained: The vitamin inhibits the transport of melanin (the pigment that tans our skin or causes spots) into the upper layers of the skin.
Suitable for all skin types
If we here at the blog weren't already fans... now's the time. And the best part: Niacinamide is also surprisingly easy to use. It's compatible with all other active ingredients, be it retinol, hyaluronic acid, or vitamin C. And it's ideally suited for all skin types: whether the skin is too dry or too oily, sensitive, or mature! There's no catch. However, fans should keep one thing in mind: the concentration has to be right. Two to five percent is recommended for daily use. Using products with a higher dose risks irritation. So, in this case, less is more.
A look at history
And that leads nicely into the historical part. Our motto: 48grams doesn't just make you beautiful, we also want to impart (a little) knowledge. Niacinamide was discovered back in 1867. The chemist Hugo Weidel succeeded in isolating the substance from – brace yourself – nicotine (!). However, back then, researchers couldn't do much with it. Its importance for health, in particular, only became clear decades later: In 1937, the US biochemist Conrad Elvehjem proved that niacin – and therefore also niacinamide – is a lifesaver. He was able to cure a vitamin deficiency disease (called "pellagra") that was rampant in the USA at the time. That's quite an achievement.
All-rounders for our top 10
Incidentally, it's not recorded when vitamin B3 first appeared in facial care products. However, the active ingredient has been found in many INCI lists for decades. Admittedly, even we members of the blog editorial team are still learning something new when we research and write about ingredients in the skincare world.One thing is already certain: Niacinamide is now in our top 10. A standard all-rounder that simply promotes beauty and health. Isn't that great?
