Why NIACINAMIDE BURNS & CAUSES REDNESS| Dr Dray

Summary

In this video, dermatologist Andrea discusses common skin reactions to niacinamide, a popular skincare ingredient. Despite its numerous benefits like reducing oiliness and hyperpigmentation, some people experience redness and irritation. She explores potential causes, including allergies, product sensitivity, and high concentrations. Andrea advises sticking to lower concentrations supported by studies and suggests alternatives like green tea and licorice root for similar benefits.

Takeaways

• 🧪 Niacinamide is a popular antioxidant in skincare due to its numerous benefits such as fighting free radicals, aiding skin barrier repair, reducing oiliness, minimizing pore size, and improving hyperpigmentation.
• 🔍 Despite its benefits, some people experience redness, irritation, stinging, and burning when using niacinamide, which can be puzzling given its anti-inflammatory properties.
• 🤔 The exact reason for these adverse reactions is not fully understood, but possible causes include an allergy to niacinamide, sensitivity to other ingredients in the product, or overuse of the ingredient.
• 🏥 Allergic reactions to topical niacinamide are rare, as most skin allergies require previous exposure and sensitization to the allergen.
• 🌐 It's more likely that individuals are sensitive to other components in the skincare product, with preservatives like Binoxi and Ethanol being common irritants for some.
• 💧 Overuse of niacinamide can lead to irritation, as can using multiple products containing the ingredient, which can add up to a concentration higher than what is recommended by studies.
• 📊 Research suggests that beneficial percentages of niacinamide for skin improvement range from 2% to 5%, with no significant advantage to using higher concentrations.
• 🛑 Manufacturers often do not disclose the exact percentage of niacinamide in their products, and higher percentages may be marketed as more effective, which is not necessarily true.
• 🍵 If niacinamide causes irritation, alternative ingredients like green tea, licorice root, and soy can provide similar benefits without the adverse effects.
• 🧬 Sensitivity to skincare products can be influenced by genetics, skin type, and environmental factors, and may vary throughout a person's life.
• 💊 Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3, distinct from Niacin (Nicotinic Acid), which can cause flushing and irritation when applied topically or taken orally.

Q & A

What is niacinamide and why is it commonly found in skincare products?

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and an antioxidant found in various skincare products such as creams, serums, toners, and more due to its numerous skin benefits like fighting free radicals, aiding skin barrier repair, reducing oiliness, minimizing pore size, and helping with hyperpigmentation.

Why might niacinamide cause redness, irritation, stinging, or burning for some people despite its benefits?

While the exact reason is not fully understood, it could be due to an allergy to topical niacinamide (which is rare), sensitivity to another ingredient in the product, or overuse of niacinamide-containing products leading to irritation.

Is it possible to be allergic to niacinamide?

Allergic reactions to topical niacinamide are very unlikely and rare. Most skin allergies require previous exposure to sensitize the individual to the allergen.

What is a more common reason for experiencing discomfort from niacinamide products other than an allergy?

A more common reason for discomfort is sensitivity to another ingredient in the product, such as a preservative or inactive ingredient, rather than the niacinamide itself.

What does the term 'overdoing it' refer to in the context of using niacinamide?

Overdoing it refers to using products with high concentrations of niacinamide or using multiple products containing niacinamide simultaneously, which can lead to skin irritation due to excessive amounts.

What are the typical percentages of niacinamide used in studies that have demonstrated skin benefits?

The percentages of niacinamide used in studies that have shown skin benefits range from 2% to a maximum of 5%.

Why might some products on the market contain higher percentages of niacinamide than what is supported by research?

Some manufacturers may use higher percentages of niacinamide to attract consumers under the misconception that higher concentrations are more effective, even though studies do not support concentrations above 5% for skin benefits.

What are some alternative ingredients that can provide similar benefits to niacinamide?

Alternative ingredients that can provide similar benefits to niacinamide include green tea, licorice root, and soy, which can help with inflammation, skin barrier repair, and oiliness.

How might the use of niacinamide in combination with other skincare products affect the skin?

Using niacinamide with other products, especially those with acidic pH like vitamin C serums, could theoretically cause niacinamide to convert to niacin, potentially leading to flushing and irritation, although this is considered unlikely.

What advice does the dermatologist give for individuals who find niacinamide products irritating?

The dermatologist advises to avoid products causing irritation and to consider trying alternative ingredients like green tea, licorice root, or soy if niacinamide is problematic.

What is the role of sunscreen as mentioned by the dermatologist at the end of the video?

Sunscreen is emphasized as an essential part of skincare routine to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation, which is not directly related to niacinamide but is a general skincare recommendation.