It generally takes around 8 to 12 weeks before you start to see tangible results, although some people may start to see a slight difference right away.

It thus decreases the possible itching and regulates the appearance of fatty films. It helps to prevent the obstruction of the hair follicles and to maintain a healthy scalp. Protects against oxidative stress. Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins. While we might be used to seeing niacinamide in our beauty products now, this hyped-up ingredient actually has a host of other reported benefits too. Yup, whilst I love my vitamin C for getting a glow, hyaluronic acid for moisturising and retinol for targeting those ever-present fine lines, niacinamide has become my go-to for preventing breakouts and brightening up my skin. And I'm not alone, the ingredient has been growing in popularity as more and more beauty brands embrace it's benefits.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth including in your wellness routine, we’ve got everything you need to know below. What is niacinamide?

Main benefits: Increases blood flow to hair follicles to promote growth, improves the health of follicular cells, and keeps hair lustrous by maintaining sheen, body, and strength. Reduces scalp inflammation:"Nicotinamide has anti-inflammatory and hydrating benefits," Camp says. These properties help to calm and soothe the skin and scalp, reducing irritation and inflammation.The vitamin is used in serums for the scalp and there also exist niacinamide shampoos and hair masks. Here is a summary of the main benefits of niacinamide for hair and scalp: Niacinamide also helps ceramide synthesis, which is the glue between protein scales and helps to mend brittle hair. It reinforces hair resistance, thus making it stronger. Read more about its hair-strengthening properties in this PMID study. Dietary niacinamide and topical niacinamide products ‘work in synergy’, Dr Glancey explains, ‘but skin products are usually more effective at penetrating directly into the skin and reaching the target area.’ Now, you may hear some people replace the word niacinamide with niacin, but these are not the same thing. There are two slightly different types of Vitamin B3, of which niacinamide and niacin are the two of ones. In this way, these two things are quite similar, but they are still not the same.

It reportedly doesn’t have the same side effects as steroids or antibiotics, such as hypertension, immunosuppression, osteoporosis and bacterial resistance, either. 10 You can either do this by applying it as a standalone product or mixing some into your moisturiser and using it that way. 21 And the even better thing is, when you combine it with other skin-boosting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or Vitamin C, its ability to soak into and work its magic on skin gets even better. If you’re looking for a supplement that contains niacinamide, remember to look for that name on the label. It may also be called nicotinamide or niacinamide. 8 Still not sure what all the fuss is about? Don’t worry – we’ve pulled together 5 key benefits of niacinamide just for you. This way, the next time you’re indulging in a night of self-care and encounter this powerhouse ingredient you’ll no longer have to wonder ‘what is niacinamide?’… PROMOTE GROWTH – NIACINAMIDE FOR HAIR GROWTHDealing with, well, pretty much any kind of complexion concern? Odds are good that niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a solution—it can do pretty much anything and everything. “Niacinamide is a versatile skincare ingredient that’s beneficial for a wide range of skin conditions,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez of Riverchase Dermatology, adding that it helps the skin produce more ceramides, ingredients that are essential for maintaining a strong and healthy skin barrier. Niacinamide is also used sometimes to help with inflammation – yet another big help for hair. But this combined is why niacinamide is sometimes used to help treat certain skin conditions. Some of these are eczema or simply redness and blotchiness on your skin. Our star chemists designed the speciality patented KeraPlantin™ by selecting three plant proteins (in around 1,000 crops that were designed for hair strength and structure) to create a compound that’s proven to increase your hair’s strength by 2.2x and reduce split ends and breakage by 53%. Treats hyperpigmentation. Some research has found 5 percent niacinamide concentrations can be helpful in lightening dark spots. Benefits were seen after four weeks, but not beyond two months. This benefit may be due to increased collagen production.