In this entry I’m going to tell you a little bit about vitamins! ❀
Recently, I regretfully noticed that vitamin B3 is used very rarely in cosmetics. What makes the matter even worse is the fact that I can count on one hand where vitamin B3 plays the first fiddle as an active substance. Too bad because niacin has a significant and very positive influence on skin! I believe, it’s worth introducing the substance into day-to-day care in greater quantities. Thanks to this entry, you are going to learn more about niacin’s features and where to find the vitamin. Enjoy!
VITAMIN B3 / VITAMIN PP / NIACIN
The truth is, vitamin B3 has been known for almost 150 years now. It’s a combination of niacin – an acid with its amide. It was first described while conducting researches on nicotine.
At the beginning niacin was called nicotine acid but such term caused a few problems. What problems? Namely, many people started associate nicotine with vitamins and healthy food. A really bad association, isn’t it? Hence, the name had to be changed. Niacin was created as a blend of a few letters: nicotine acid + vitamin.
The truth is, nomenclature is secondary here. After all, it’s not the fancy nickname that introduced niacin to cosmetology. It wasn’t that long time ago when its features were examined. It turned out that vitamin B3 serves well for cosmetic purposes, especially when applied to skin externally. It’s a newbie! Maybe that’s the reason why is hasn’t been so highly valued by cosmetologists yet?
However, it’s worth mentioning that our grandmas were well-acquainted with features of vitamin B3 by applying yeast face mask regularly. They just didn’t know that it’s niacin in particular (yeast contains plenty of vitamin B3) that has this beneficial influence on skin.
How does vitamin B3 work?
If you are curious what action vitamin B3 delivers and what the vitamin affects, go on reading what I managed to learn about this substance. I was surprised myself how many positive features this ingredient has! Here is a short summary on action delivered by vitamin B3 in cosmetology.
Let’s start from what the substance is suitable for. It can be used:
- for dry skin because it reinforces hydro-lipid barrier and improves hydration;
- for acne skin because it reinforces natural skin shield against bacteria;
- for pale and dull complexion because it stimulates blood circulation, evens skin tone and revitalizes;
- for mature skin because it helps fix DNA strands, improves elasticity and smooths;
- for oily skin because it reduces sebum production and relieves irritations.
To sum up, vitamin B3 is suitable for all skin types because it combats all skin problems – from acne and breakouts, through redness and roughness, to serious inflammations.
How does vitamin B3 work? First and foremost, it prevents water loss through skin and regulates skin self-renewal processes. Also, it is a strong anti-oxidant so it minimalizes adverse influence of free radicals. Niacin is a natural sunscreen which protects against UV radiation. It reduces discolorations, prevents skin imperfections, smooths, adds softness, elasticity and vitality. This is how I can describe the most essential qualities of the vitamin.
If you are truly interested what functions are fulfilled by vitamin B3 in cosmetics, I’m fast to explain this to you. This is an ingredient that stimulates production of lipid elements of skin ceramides and substances responsible for maintaining moisturisation, keratin, collagen and hyaluronic acid at the right level.
Where to look for vitamin B3?
There is no point in wondering what food product contains the greatest quantities of vitamin B3. Supplying our organism with the very substance only by following a particular diet would not be satisfactory to answer all needs of our body. However it’s still worth eating a lot of meat, nuts and grains because the very food products are rich in niacin.
Still, it’s better to spare a thought where to find vitamin B3 apart from the above-mentioned food products. The answer is simple: in cosmetics! Frequently, various face, neck and cleavage creams gels and serums are enriched with niacin. We can also find it in body balms, hand creams as well as shampoos and hair conditioners (especially the ones that have to be applied to the scalp).
Why is vitamin B3 more powerful when added to cosmetics, not when used solo? There is one simple reason. This substance’s performance can be significantly improved by mixing it with various compounds that help niacin penetrate deep into skin. And here is the secret revealed.
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