If you are looking for your perfect skincare ingredient, or you are considering incorporating magical niacinamide into your skincare routine, you’re in the right place.
This versatile ingredient has gained quite a great popularity for several compelling reasons and benefits for your skin cells.
Firstly, it’s celebrated for its ability to regulate oil production, improve the appearance of your (enlarged and clogged) pores and skin tone.
Additionally, it’s praised for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. But there are many more positive effects of this magical ingredient (you will find out about them later in this article, stay patient!).
If you’re new to this ingredient or have heard some stories about its side effects, you may be wondering “Does niacinamide cause purging?”.
As with any skincare ingredient, niacinamide may, in some cases, cause side effects, such as mild irritation or redness.
If you experiences these reactions, you should consider reducing the frequency of niacinamide use or adjusting its concentration in your routine to mitigate potential side effects.
If you are still worried about it – keep reading!
What Is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, one of the most amazing skincare ingredients, is also known as nicotinamide or vitamin B3. It plays a crucial role in various physiological functions within our bodies.
But, particularly in skincare, niacinamide is really versatile and popular for its extraordinary benefits. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-repairing properties, making it a complete ingredient for your skincare.
Niacinamide can help you regulate oil production, improve the appearance of enlarged pores, even out skin tone, enhance skin barrier function, and reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
Its versatility and compatibility with various skin types make it a sought-after ingredient in many skincare formulations.
If you wanna find out if you need to apply niacinamide everyday, and how long it takes to see the results, read my article about using niacinamide here.
Benefits Of Niacinamide
Where to start when it comes to the benefits of niacinamide? Well, let’s see what it does to your skin.
- It regulates oil production
Niacinamide helps balance sebum production in your skin cells, making it beneficial for those of you with oily or combination skin types. And yes, it does so without overly drying out the skin.
- It minimizes pores
It has the ability to minimize the appearance of enlarged or blocked pores by regulating sebum production and improving skin elasticity, resulting in a smoother complexion. You will love it!
- Improves uneven skin tone
Niacinamide serum will definitely help you fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration, leading to a more even skin tone.
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
If you use niacinamide, this will stimulate collagen production and cell turnover, which can lead to firmer, plumper skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
- Skin barrier improvement
Niacinamide products will help you strengthen your skin’s barrier, preventing moisture loss and increasing its resilience against environmental stressors – something like a skin protector. As an antioxidant, niacinamide helps neutralize free radicals, protecting the skin from damage.
- Anti-inflammation
Niacinamide possesses anti-inflammatory effects, making it suitable for calming redness, skin irritation, and (active) acne.
How Do I Know If Niacinamide Is Working?
You will definitely know if niacinamide is working on your skin. The result is – beauty. However, if you are seeking some more specific answers, we’ll go through it.
You will notice smoother skin texture, more even skin tone, balanced oiliness (no oily skin), without overly dry skin, less skin irritation, reduction in signs of aging, and increased skin hydration.
Does Niacinamide Cause Purging?
Skin purging is actually a temporary skin reaction that occurs when using certain products in your skincare routine increases breakouts or skin cell turnover.
Niacinamide typically does not cause skin purging – as it doesn’t increase skin cell turnover. However, it may initially cause mild irritation that subsides with continued use rather than causing purging.
That actually goes for almost any new skincare product containing those strong active ingredients.
Is Purging Normal With Niacinamide?
Purging is not a common reaction to niacinamide because it doesn’t increase skin cell turnover like some other active ingredients.
However, some of you may still experience some mild irritation or breakout when first using niacinamide1.
What’s noteworthy, this isn’t considered a typical purging reaction. So if your question was: does niacinamide cause purging – the answer is rather negative: niacinamide doesn’t cause purging.
What Does Niacinamide Purging Look Like?
Although rarely, niacinamide may cause purging, in the form of breakouts or increased skin concerns after you first start to use niacinamide.
However, it is much more likely that this is a reaction or irritation specific to the individual’s skin type or other skincare products being used simultaneously.
Purging usually manifests as an increase in small, similar, and temporary blemishes or pimples in areas where you commonly break out, due to increased skin cell turnover triggered by certain active ingredients.
If breakouts occur after starting niacinamide, it might indicate an individual sensitivity or reaction rather than the typical purging.
In any case – consulting a dermatologist can help clarify the cause of any unexpected skin reactions.
How To Heal Your Skin After Niacinamide Purging
After experiencing purging, you should provide your skin with gentle care to soothe and support the healing process.
First of all, simplify your skincare routine to gentle, non-irritating products. Of course that means also avoiding harsh or active ingredients and over-exfoliation that may further irritate your skin during the healing phase – and prolong skin healing.
Of course, you should absolutely use a gentle and hydrating moisturizer to replenish moisture and support your skin’s protective barrier.
Look for products with soothing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera – or other calming ingredients.
Besides, you should protect your skin by applying the sunscreen to shield your skin from further damage caused by UV rays. Protecting your skin from the sun can aid in the healing process.
Be patient, allow your skin time to recover naturally. If the irritation persists, consider consulting a dermatologist.
Does Niacinamide Cause Breakouts?
Breakouts are actually the appearance of new pimples or blemishes on your skin. And breakout is typically caused by factors such as clogged pores, dead skin cells, bacteria, or inflammation.
Now, you may wonder – what differs a breakout from purge? Well, breakouts differ from purging, as purging is only a temporary worsening of skin condition (or skin conditions) due to increased cell turnover – triggered by certain skincare ingredients.
Generally, niacinamide doesn’t cause breakouts. However, some individuals may initially experience some skin reactions like mild irritation or small blemishes when starting niacinamide.
But remember, this isn’t typical and could indicate some other issues.
Why Am I Breaking Out After Using Niacinamide?
This can be due to sensitivity to the product or a reaction influenced by other skincare products being used simultaneously, rather than niacinamide itself.
If you experience breakouts after using niacinamide, it would be good to evaluate if other factors or products could be contributing to it.
And – consult a dermatologist for personalized advice.
Other Side Effects Of Niacinamide
Although niacinamide is generally well-tolerated by many, it may cause some side effects, like most other skincare ingredients. Let’s see what those are.
Some individuals might experience some mild sensitivity reactions, redness, itching, or irritation upon initial use, especially if using higher concentrations or combining it with other active ingredients.
On the other side, in some cases (although rarely), niacinamide may cause dryness and flakiness.
Rarely, niacinamide may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Does Niacinamide Dry Out Skin?
Niacinamide is usually known for its ability to improve the skin’s protective barrier and maintain moisture levels rather than drying out your skin.
However, in some very, very rare cases – or if used excessively (keep this in mind!), niacinamide might potentially contribute to dryness or flakiness for some individuals.
Overall, niacinamide is rather considered a hydrating ingredient. Just be careful with the amount you use.
Is Niacinamide Supposed To Burn?
Niacinamide typically does not cause any burning sensation. However, note that, if you have sensitive skin or when you use very high concentrations of niacinamide, a mild tingling or burning sensation might occur upon initial application.
Why Does Niacinamide Burn?
Although rarely, niacinamide may sometimes cause burning sensation, due to skin sensitivities, allergies, or high concentrations in products used.
Does Niacinamide Cause Peeling?
Generally, niacinamide does not cause skin peeling. However, some of you might experience mild peeling or flaking, especially if using high concentrations of niacinamide or if you combine it with other potentially irritating ingredients.
Be careful when combining skincare ingredients!
>> Read more about using niacinamide and vitamin C serum together
>> Find out how to pair niacinamide with strong BHA (like salicylic acid)
Niacinamide – Rash
Niacinamide generally doesn’t cause any rashes – in most cases. Some of you may still experience a rash as a rare allergic reaction or due to skin sensitivity.
If this happens it’s better to stop using it and to consult with a dermatologist.
Niacinamide – Allergic Reaction
While allergic reactions to niacinamide are pretty rare, they may occur in sensitive individuals.
But – it is crucial that, if you suspect an allergic reaction to niacinamide, discontinue its use immediately – and seek medical help.
Does Niacinamide Clog Pores?
Niacinamide is considered non-comedogenic – so it’s unlikely to clog your pores. It actually regulates oil production, reduces pore size, and improves skin texture without causing pore blockages.
In fact, for most skin types, niacinamide is a safe and beneficial ingredient in skincare routines, particularly for those of you prone to acne or enlarged pores.
How To Use Niacinamide In The Right Way To Avoid Purging & Other Side Effects
Using niacinamide effectively and in the right way while minimizing the risk of purging or adverse effects involves a few steps. Let’s go through them!
Before you even start using niacinamide, you should perform a patch test – and decide to start with lower concentrations (around 2-5%)2 to allow your skin some time to get used to it (for example Purito Cream with Centella Asiatica contains only 2% of niacinamide).
Once you see your skin is doing fine, you can start increasing the concentration. It would be also great if you would start using niacinamide a few times a week, then gradually increase frequency to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
Niacinamide works good on almost any skin type, but you never know. You don’t want to see your skin irritated, right?
Of course, you should also be careful what you combine niacinamide with, and simplify your skincare routine. Too many active ingredients can cause more harm than good, sometimes.
And – most importantly – if you have known sensitivities, or you’ve previously experienced some reactions to niacinamide, rather avoid it altogether.
There is always a solution, feel free to ask your dermatologist.
How Much Niacinamide Is Too Much?
Well, there is actually no defined limit for topical niacinamide. Still, keep in mind that using excessively high concentrations or multiple niacinamide-containing products simultaneously may cause skin irritation.
So, starting with lower concentrations (around 2-5%), a few times a week is often recommended. ‘Less is more’ applies here, too!
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
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Resources:
- https://www.sciencebecomesher.com/
- https://www.healthline.com/
