What are the Side Effects of Niacinamide on Your Face?

Niacinamide is a unique ingredient that has made its name in the populated world of skincare as a transformative vitamin that brings with it a host of benefits. Also known as Vitamin B-3, it has abilities to heal and protect your skin cells. Part of its uniqueness is that our body does not have the ability to house or produce it, and thus, it must be applied externally. However, all of its incredible benefits do not mean it is immune to side effects.

In this blog, we will explore the side effects of niacinamide, helping you decide whether it is suited for your face or not.

Initial Redness and Irritation

One of the most common niacinamide side effects, or even for almost any type of skincare/beauty products is redness or irritation. This side effect can be interpreted differently by different people, but generally it is regarded as temporary when niacinamide is taken into account. This redness and irritation can be due to over applying niacinamide when your skin is simply not used to it. Gradually increasing the volume and letting your skin get used to it is the key here. 

Increased Oil Production

Another reported side effect of niacinamide is an increase in the production of oil on the face. This is the reverse of what should happen, as Vitamin B-3 should, in fact, help balance oil production. However, every skin is different and may react differently to niacinamide. Individuals who have oily skin types are the ones who find that niacinamide triggers a surge of oil by acting as a stimulant to their sebaceous glands. However, this side effect can be subsided with continuous use, as it will balance their skin and adjust to niacinamide. 

Read More: What Does Niacinamide Do for Your Skin?

Acne Breakouts

Having acne is one of the main motivators to give skincare products a chance. Having acne breakouts due to them can be quite a problem. Niacinamide is one of the best solutions to acne and is often recommended for it. However, due to its uniqueness to the skin, it can potentially cause temporary acne breakouts when first applied. The best way to fight these short-term acne flare-ups is to apply a lower concentration of niacinamide and reduce its frequency. With time, the anti-inflammatory properties of Vitamin B-3 will make it effective against breakouts. 

Dryness or Tightness

One of the best products for combating dryness is products including niacinamide due to it being a humectant, which means it draws water to the skin. However, as the human skin is complex and incredibly varied in terms of how it can react to different vitamins, for some people, introducing their skin to Vitamin B-3 can make it dry or feel a tight sensation. It is possible that these people naturally have very dehydrated skin, and the niacinamide side effect here is that it simply doesn’t provide enough moisture by itself. Try pairing up niacinamide with an even richer moisturizer to combat the dryness.

Allergic Reactions

Although niacinamide is usually regarded as safe to use for all skin types, there is a possibility that an individual may be suffering from a true allergic reaction to niacinamide. What makes these reactions apparent is swelling and blistering, which should not happen under any circumstances. An allergic reaction is different from rare, albeit typical, niacinamide face side effects, and in this case, there is no remedy. The person dealing with a reaction such as this must stop using the product immediately, as allergies should be taken seriously. 

Incompatibility with Other Ingredients

One of the side effects of niacinamide that can be overlooked is its rare incompatibility with other ingredients. There are multiple reasons for this; one is that usually when one uses niacinamide products, one has to have one product that takes care of multiple skin issues at once. As such, there is no need to combine it with other ingredients. Others want too much and use another ingredient, which is also a powerful antioxidant, such as vitamin C. The combination of these can potentially irritate the skin, especially when applied in high concentrations. 

Tips to Minimize Side Effects of Niacinamide

Given these niacinamide face side effects, it’s essential to take a few precautions to minimize potential reactions. Here are some tips to get the best results:

1. Start Slow: Begin with a low concentration of niacinamide and gradually work up as your skin becomes accustomed to it.
2. Perform a Patch Test: Testing on a small area before full application helps avoid major allergic reactions.
3. Limit Frequency if Necessary: If you experience irritation, reduce application to a few times per week and slowly build up.
4. Moisturize and Protect: Use a good moisturizer to counteract potential dryness, and always apply sunscreen during the day.
5. Consult a Dermatologist: If side effects persist or worsen, consult a dermatologist for professional advice.

Conclusion

In the end, we’d like to say that the side effects of niacinamide can be varied and can range from minor issues, such as mild irritation, to more persistent issues, such as acne breakouts, dryness, or increased oil production. However, as believers in the good properties of niacinamide, we can safely assure you that these issues can be managed. 

For the majority, niacinamide still remains an incredible ingredient to utilize for a multitude of skin issues, and improving it, such as improving skin texture, moisturizing, reducing enlarged pores, and more. 

However, if you are still uncertain about the niacinamide’s side effects, it is always recommended to visit a skincare professional.

At Flower Organics, we believe in providing completely safe and natural ingredients for our skincare products, such as niacinamide. If you are looking for more incredible and worthy additions to your skincare product collection, check out the range of our products!