Vitamin B3 Niacinamide:  The quiet superstar ingredient.

Vitamin B3 Niacinamide: The quiet superstar ingredient.

Haven’t heard of Niacinamide before?... I’ll forgive you.  As a skincare ingredient, it hasn’t quite risen to the same height of stardom as some of its celebrity buddies like Vitamin A (Retinol) and Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), yet Vitamin B3’s skin benefits are undisputedly glow-worthy and well worth making sure it’s front and centre in your skincare routine.


Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3.  An amide derived from Niacin which is found in many foods such as yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, beans, and cereal grains and nourishes your body with two important molecules: NAD+ and NADP+.  These molecules are vital in helping your cells function properly and ensuring good skin health.  In fact they are responsible for over 40 biochemical processes, including such important jobs as DNA repair and cell turnover. 


Our bodies convert Niacinamide from Niacin when consumed but being water soluble our bodies can not store it so it’s important to ensure your diet includes these Vitamin B3 rich foods for good health.  Niacin deficiency can develop a condition called Pellagra’  which causes scaly, pigmented skin rashes amongst other issues and although not common nowadays since many foods are fortified with niacin, I wanted to throw that in there for you to understand how important Vitamin B3 is for skin function.  Take a look at what Pellagra looks like here


So if I get Vitamin B3 from my diet, why do I need Niacinamide in my skincare? 


Well, while the skin is the largest organ of the human body, when it comes to the nutrient uptake you receive from your diet, studies have shown that the skin is last in line to receive it’s share of beneficial minerals and vitamins.  Prioritising your vital organs (heart, liver, brain … etc), the skin is left with slim pickings at best and just like that famous scene from Oliver Twist; desperate with hunger after his miserably small bowl of goop… our skin is also often left pleading... 'Please, sir, I want some more.'


Niacinamide is a true powerhouse ingredient.  It’s multi-functional and can amazingly treat almost any skin issue.  Applying it directly on your skin means that it can quickly be absorbed and get to work supporting your skin’s function.  Long-term usage speeds up your skin’s metabolism, increasing the pace of cellular turnover and paving the way for new fresh and healthy skin cells to develop.  Take a look at what else applying Vitamin B3 Niacinamide topically can do…


Controls hyperpigmentation (dark spots):  Clinically proven to effectively control hyperpigmentation, Niacinamide is not like other brightening superstars such as Vitamin C, Kojic Acid and Azelaic Acid.  What makes Niacinamide special is the way that it controls hyperpigmentation from spreading throughout the skin cells.  While Vitamin C and other tyrosinase inhibitors work by slowing down the speed of pigment creation in the skin; Niacinamide cleverly works on slowing down the transfer of the pigment granule (melanosome) amongst the skin cells.  So Niacinamide is a fantastic team player, working alongside these other brightening ingredients and helping to boost their efficiency.


Helps reduce oil production and refine pores:  If you struggle with an oily skin you probably have already experienced the drying effects of many ‘oil control’ products which just seem to absorb the excess sebum from the surface, often leaving your skin feeling dry or irritated and counterproductively, leaving your skin susceptible to bacterial breakouts due to the disruption to the skin’s natural surface barrier.  Well Niacinamide has been shown to actually ‘slow down’ sebum production with a study finding those changes evident after only two to four weeks of continuous use.  


Additionally, this reduction of oil production means that the skin pores are less likely to fill up or become engorged allowing them to tighten up and create a smoother skin surface.


Great for Acne, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin conditions that affect barrier function :


With it’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, Niacinamide is a great treatment for Acne, Rosacea, Eczema, Dermatitis and being relatively non-irritating makes it a great option for anyone who also suffers from dryness or sensitivity.


Applying Niacinamide topically increases the production of ceramides in the skin… those fatty lipids that help to form our skin’s protective barrier, preventing transepidermal water loss (dehydration) and helping to maintain an effectively functioning biome 


How you can add Vitamin B3 Niacinamide to your daily skincare routine.


Australian Skin Institute are big fans of Vitamin B3 Niacinamide.  In fact, they have included this superstar ingredient in 4 of their cosmeceuticals range of skincare products, including both their day and night creams, so your skin can benefit from that B3 goodness, 24 hours a day.


Vitamin B3 ComplexFormulated with highly active Vitamin B3 to deliver a targeted treatment for all skin types. Enhance skin clarity, hydration and illumination, while boosting collagen and elastin.

 

Best of all, Vitamin B3 Complex uses ASI’s unique nanotechnology; a Transdermal Delivery System that penetrates into the deeper layers of your skin to deliver a higher concentration of active ingredients.

 

Targets -  Fine lines, wrinkles, breakouts, scarring, sensitivity, redness, broken capillaries, and uneven skin tone

 

Key Ingredients :  Vitamin B3 - Enhances skin clarity, hydration and illumination. Boosts collagen and elastin.

 

Directions - Use daily. Apply to cleansed skin. Massage 0.25ml (1 pump) onto face, neck and décolletage.

 

Top Tips - Can be used throughout the day under your moisturiser to keep skin hydrated and illuminated.




Rejuvenating Day Cream:  Full of illuminating Vitamin B3, hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, and protective Zinc. Restore and enhance skin health daily and enjoy the added benefits of SPF protection.

 

Best of all, Rejuvenating Day Cream uses ASI’s unique nanotechnology; a Transdermal Delivery System that penetrates into the deeper layers of your skin to deliver a higher concentration of active ingredients.

 

Targets -  fine lines, wrinkles, dehydration, sensitivity, breakouts, and uneven skin tone.

 

Key Ingredients:  Vitamin B3 - Illuminating and brightening, resulting in beautiful glowing skin. Will also assist in the treatment of breakouts.

Hyaluronic Acid - Holds 1000 times its weight in water, helps to hydrate your skin like no other ingredient.

 

Directions -  Use daily in the morning. Apply 0.50ml (2 pumps) to cleansed face, neck and décolletage.

 

Top tips - This product has the added benefits of a natural SPF, derived from Zinc, which helps to heal breakouts and calm the skin. Can be used as your daily moisturiser and protector. 



Rejuvenating Night Treatment:  Bursting with restorative Vitamin C, calming Vitamin B3, and rejuvenating Vitamin A. Boost collagen and elastin production while actively repairing skin blemishes. Sleep easy knowing skin concerns are being treated.

 

Rejuvenating Night Treatment is our must-have night time face, eye and lip cosmeceutical treatment.  This ‘hero product’ has been formulated with the most potent vitamins designed to change the structure of the skin to improve dehydration, congestion and acne. Scientifically proven to reverse the natural signs of ageing, highly active Retinol and Vitamin C will refresh and refine the skin from the inside out.

 

Targets -  Fine lines, wrinkles, dehydration, sensitivity, uneven skin tone, pigmentation, breakouts, scarring, open pores, broken capillaries, and age spots.

 

Key Ingredients:  Vitamin A -  Stimulates cellular turnover to rejuvenate the skin and help fight the signs of ageing.

Vitamin B3 - Improves skin hydration and helps with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Vitamin C - Strong antioxidant protecting the skin from premature ageing.

 

Directions - Use nightly. Apply to cleansed skin. Massage 0.50ml (2 pumps) onto face, neck and décolletage.

 

IMPORTANT - Do not use this product when pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.

 

Top Tip -  Provides optimum skin health from the three most important Vitamins - A, B, & C! All other ASI Products are able to work more efficiently on the skin and target concerns faster when skin is at optimum health.



Clearing Renewal: Using clarifying Magnesium Sulfate, detoxifying Chlorhexidine and calming Vitamin B3.  Heal and rejuvenate skin while fighting and preventing bacteria causing breakouts.

Best of all, Clearing Renewal Complex uses ASI’s unique nanotechnology; a Transdermal Delivery System that penetrates into the deeper layers of your skin to deliver a higher concentration of active ingredients.

 

Targets -  breakouts, ingrown hairs, inflammation, irritated skin, redness, scarring, and open pores

 

Key Ingredients:  Magnesium Sulfate - Has strong extracting properties to detoxify the skin.

Chlorhexidine -  Fights infections by killing bacteria which can lead to breakouts and congestion.

 

Directions -  Use when required. Apply 0.25ml (1 pump) over affected areas. Do not apply any other skincare products, excluding makeup, over the top.

 

Top tip - When applying to a breakout, don't use any other products over the top - this can decrease the effectiveness of the product.

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