If you’re looking to up your full-body skincare game, look no further than body creams with niacinamide. This ingredient has been used for years to boost skin hydration, reduce the signs of aging, and soothe redness and irritation.
What Is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. The body naturally produces niacinamide from either niacin or an amino acid called tryptophan. When used as a skincare ingredient, it helps build keratin, a protein essential for maintaining healthy skin.
Is Niacinamide Good for the Skin?
Niacinamide has been shown to strengthen the skin, making it appear smoother and brighter. It can also ease inflammation and calm redness caused by conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. It can also boost the skin’s lipid barrier — the layer of water and oil that protects the skin’s surface. This barrier helps retain moisture and block any irritants that could affect the skin.1
Studies suggest that niacinamide can help reduce signs of aging, including wrinkles and discoloration. By increasing keratin production, niacinamide may improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.2
Additionally, studies show that niacinamide cream can diminish the appearance of dark spots, such as melasma or hyperpigmentation.3
Choosing a Niacinamide Body Lotion
All these benefits make niacinamide an excellent choice for protecting and caring for the skin all over your body. You can easily add a body cream that contains niacinamide without a prescription. There are a variety of creams available that offer all the skin-boosting benefits of niacinamide.
When choosing a good body lotion, check the list of ingredients to make sure it doesn’t contain anything that may irritate your skin. Look out for heavy fragrances or artificial colors if you have sensitive skin.
Start with a cream that contains a low concentration of niacinamide, especially if you have sensitive skin. Most products contain 5% niacinamide or less. Starting with a lower concentration gives your skin time to adjust to the new ingredient.
Use the body cream once or twice a day. You can use it right after taking a bath or shower or apply it before bed. You may find that using it on damp skin enhances its moisturizing effects. It can also be used with other skincare ingredients, such as glycolic acid, which is often used as an exfoliant.
When applying the cream, pay special attention to areas that have dark spots or wrinkles, such as the back of the hands, shoulders, and chest.
If you notice redness or irritation, stop using the niacinamide cream. Ask your dermatologist for advice on slowly adding it back into your routine or finding a gentler formulation.
To learn more about how ingredients like niacinamide can improve the appearance of your skin, talk to a dermatologist near you, or keep reading My Skincare Routine.
SOURCES:
- Cleveland Clinic: “Top 6 Benefits of Niacinamide.”
- Antioxidants: “Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation.”
- Dermatology Research and Practice: “A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the Treatment of Melasma.”