Ingredient highlight: Niacinamide

Ingredient highlight: Niacinamide 

This is an ingredient highlight for all the Cosmology Skincare nerds out there who love a little chemistry lesson, that is linked back to great skin. We’re suckers for the nitty gritty too, we love a breakdown on what we are using on our skin and why. As they say, knowledge is power right!? If the below isn’t reason enough to introduce Niacinamide into your routine, we don’t know what is. Let’s dive right in. 

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B also known as nicotinamide, people often use it to treat Vitamin B deficiency in the body. But, it’s become hugely popular in the skincare industry, for very good reasons. It is a water soluble nutrient that actually helps turn food into energy. However being the versatile cutie that it is, topical Niacinamide is a powerful ingredient to support skin health. It works alongside the skin’s natural substances and functions to increase the skin’s retention of moisture and hydration. Along with reducing that orange peel look of enlarged pores and improving texture drastically, this ingredient visibly reduces discolouration and pigmentation caused by sun damage and the natural ageing process. Don’t you worry now, we have not forgotten the scariest thing of all, wrinkles and fine lines - it tackles these head on and very effectively. 

Niacinamide is an anti-oxidant that plays a role in cell signalling and DNA repair. It improves the epidermal barrier function and works primarily on the epidermal layer of the skin. This layer is the most superficial one and basically effects our complete visible complexion, pressure huh!? This layer is the first line of defence for our skin and provides a barrier of protection from outside elements and substances. The long and the short of it - this layer needs to be firing on all cylinders…at all times. 

To break it down in more detail for our chemistry buffs out there, get ready it’s a mouthful - Niacinamide regulates the synthesis of intercellular lipids, and stimulates keratinocyte differentiation. Confused yet? Basically this means that when these two functions are operating well, the structural and functional integrity of the epidermal layer is kept. Meaning ultimate protection for our skin. This magic ingredients also works to reduce redness, blotchiness and yellowing of the skin (also known as sallowness). The reduction is again thanks to the improved skin barrier function. 

FACT: Niacinamide has huge anti-oxidant capacities which is one of the most studied anti-ageing effects of the ingredient. 

Ok we know you have been waiting for this…wrinkles…lines…help. 

Little wrinkle recap first: wrinkles and lines develop due to a decrease in the epidermal cell layer and dermal components of the skin, this is thanks to an initial reduction in protein and collagen. After this upsetting event has taken place, the skin’s structure and epidermal barrier function is effected, and elasticity is depleted, resulting in wrinkles.

So how does Niacinamide combat wrinkles? It has been proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the dermal collagen and protein production. Two crucial elements that keep our skin plump and increase its’ elasticity. 

If battling pigment is the story of your life, read on. Applying topical Niacinamide is highly effective at decreasing epidermal hyperpigmentation, and pigmented spots that appear as we age. The ingredient reduces the discolouration by preventing the melanosome transfer of melanocytes to surrounding keratinocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that produce pigment inside the melanosomes, so the inhibition of this transfer drastically reduces pigment development. 

How fast will you see results? Within 4 weeks of twice daily application. Shop here.