What Happens if You Use Too Much Niacinamide on Your Skin - SILKUP (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I use too much niacinamide? ›

“Overusing niacinamide or using high percentage products can cause irritation and breakouts,” she adds. Additionally, if you're just starting to add niacinamide into your skin care routine, you'll want to start slow.

A 5% concentration of niacinamide has been shown to be effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and improving fine lines and wrinkles according to some studies. ¹⁷ Additionally, a concentration of lower than 10% may be more suitable if you have sensitive skin or if you're new to using niacinamide.

It might cause side effects such as stomach upset, gas, dizziness, headache, and rash. When applied to the skin: Niacinamide is possibly safe. Niacinamide cream might cause mild burning, itching, or redness.

Niacinamide (NIA) or “vitamin B3” is a water-soluble vitamin that displays antioxidant effects and helps repair damaged skin barriers and combats reactive oxygen species.

Niacinamide and AHAs / BHAs

Similar to retinol, niacinamide should not be used with acidic skincare ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. Ordinary niacinamide combined with an acid can cause a bad chemical reaction of redness and flushing.

The short answer is no; Niacinamide generally does not cause skin purging. Skin purging is usually a result of products that increase your cell turnover rate, and Niacinamide does not do this. In fact, Niacinamide is a fairly mild skincare ingredient that generally has very few side effects.

Niacinamide, also called Nicotinamide, is an amide of Nicotinic Acid. The latter is often present as a residual impurity during the purification of Niacinamide. High concentrations of Nicotinic acid are associated with various possible skin side effects such as redness, irritations, and acne exacerbation.

Niacinamide has been shown to support skin components such as ceramides and fatty acids that are integral to the outermost layer of our skin. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% hydrates the skin, and reinforces the skin barrier in as little as 7 days.

Niacinamide skincare products can sometimes cause breakouts in people who are acne-prone. If you start to experience more breakouts while using niacinamide products, discontinue use immediately.

Niacinamide has been shown to cause flushing of the face, especially in sensitive areas such as the cheeks and nose, and around the eyes, including redness, itching, stinging or burning.

What not to mix with niacinamide? ›

DON'T MIX: AHA/BHA and niacinamide

Niacinamide is used to treat hyperpigmentation and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants. To understand why niacinamide shouldn't be mixed with AHAs and BHAs, you need to consider pH.

Don't use vitamin C: Niacinamide and vitamin C can cause skin irritation and discoloration when used together, so it's best to use them at different times of the day. Don't overuse: While niacinamide is generally well-tolerated, overusing it can cause redness and irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.

Yes, You Can Use Niacinamide Every Day!

From strengthening the skin barrier to reducing inflammation, addressing hyperpigmentation, and combating signs of aging, niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that caters to various skin concerns.

Don't: use at high concentrations

At higher concentrations, niacinamide may cause redness and irritation, warns Dr. Garshick. “While having anti-inflammatory properties, when niacinamide is used in higher concentrations, it may cause contact dermatitis, which may manifest itself as redness and a rash,” she says.

Topical niacinamide is generally considered safe to use. People who have preexisting allergies may be more likely to experience an allergic reaction. This is because niacinamide can cause your body to release histamine.

A 10% concentration of niacinamide is considered a relatively high concentration, and it may not be suitable for everyone, especially for those with sensitive skin. It's generally recommended to start with a lower concentration of niacinamide, such as 2-5%, and gradually increase if your skin tolerates it well.

"In over-the-counter formulas, the concentration is so small it usually doesn't cause a reaction," she explains. When used in high concentrations, niacinamide can cause skin irritation and redness.

Do: Use it every day. Given it is a tolerable ingredient, Dr. Garshick points out that niacinamide is safe to use every day and can be incorporated into a daily cleanser, moisturizer, or serum that is meant for daily use. It can also be used both in the morning or at night.

If you're wondering how often you can use niacinamide, the answer is pretty simple: every single day! In fact, we recommend applying twice daily in order to see the benefits, which include visibly improvement of discoloration, a brighter complexion, and clearer-looking skin.