By now you’ve probably heard quite a lot about niacinamide — a form of vitamin B3 and a powerhouse skincare ingredient that’s cropping up all over the beauty world, and for good reason. Dermatologists love niacinamide thanks to its multitude of benefits, from reducing redness and clearing up breakouts to brightening complexion and smoothing out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; so it’s no surprise it’s the all-star ingredient in our newest serum: B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum.
“Let’s start with its texture and consistency. This is a thin, water-based serum. I chose this consistency because I assume users follow multiple skincare steps throughout the day and don’t want excess oiliness. This serum is designed to soak in anyone’s skin incredibly quickly into any skin type, whether dry or oily. You can use it either in the morning or at night,” shares Sunday.
B3 Nice features 10% niacinamide, which is the perfect, potent amount to help even the skin tone, improving the appearance of redness and discoloration, notes Riley. “Because niacinamide also helps to improve oiliness and regulates sebum production, it can help those dealing with oily skin, acne, or post-acne dark marks,” Sunday says. “It can work to support the skin’s natural moisture barrier by helping to support ceramide production. It’s one of those ingredients that I’ve been obsessed with for a very long time. It’s anti-aging, it’s anti-inflammatory. So the really cool thing about niacinamide is it increases your body’s natural production of ceramides and free fatty acids, which, by the way, decline as you age. It also increases the production of an enzyme which helps to increase the production of ceramide. So it’s kind of like dual working here. It’s wonderful if you’ve got dry skin, it’s going to help prevent your skin from being dry. It helps your moisturizer to sink deeper. It’s amazing because niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory, so we’re going to start seeing some of that redness calm down, too’.
Meet the Experts
Sunday Riley , CEO, founder and product formulator
Marisa Garshick, M.D., is a dermatologist at Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery (MDCS) in New York.
Jodi LoGerfo, D.N.P., is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner in Dermatology.
Blair Murphy-Rose, M.D., is a cosmetic and medical dermatologist in N.Y.C. and the Hamptons with Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, and a clinical instructor of dermatology at NY Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Dustin Portela, D.O., is a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon.
Niacinamide might be the most famous and noteworthy ingredient we used in this serum, but it’s hardly the only one. Here, a breakdown of the other notable ingredients in our B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum and how they can benefit your skin.
Trans-Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an antioxidant that offers a wide array of health benefits. “It has been found in more than 70 different plant species and its dietary sources include grapes (skin and seeds), red wine, peanuts, and soy,” says Jodi LoGerfo, D.N.P., Doctor of Nursing Practice and Family Nurse Practitioner in Dermatology, and who works with A-listers such as Amy Schumer. “Resveratrol is very helpful in wound healing, scarring, and photoaging of the skin. This ingredient is extremely close to my heart. It’s really wonderful for inflammation and it helps with hyperpigmentation,” explains Sunday. One study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology even found nighttime application of resveratrol to be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Brightenyl (Diglucosyl Gallic Acid)
This lab-created skincare ingredient’s claim to fame is its ability to reduce hyperpigmentation. “It is one of several ingredients that can treat and prevent pigmentation by interfering with the process of melanogenesis by inhibiting a critical enzyme, tyrosinase,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, M.D., a cosmetic and medical dermatologist in N.Y.C. and the Hamptons. ‘This ingredient is unique. Brightenyl is a biotechnologically created molecule that’s activated by the skin’s microbiome to brighten the look of skin and soothe the signs of sensitivity. Trihydroxybenzoic acid glucoside (THBG) is mouthful. This ingredient is highly unstable. It works with the microbiome and the stratum corneum to have an enzymatic reaction that converts it to the original form, because if it was in the original form in the bottle, by the time you got it as a consumer, it’s unstable. But if it’s in this other form, then it has this in somatic reaction with the microbiome, which we all have, it’s basically getting a fresh dose to the skin in each pump’, explains Sunday.
Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract
This effective and anti-inflammatory skincare ingredient is derived from the resin or sap of the Indian frankincense plant, explains Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Boswellia has been found to inhibit leukotrienes (which can be thought of as a type of messenger in the immune system), providing anti-inflammatory effects.”
Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG)
This antioxidant, which is derived from green tea leaves, helps to protect against free radical damage which can occur from oxidative stress, according to research, including one study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Sunday Riley points out that EGCG as a skincare ingredient can help protect the skin from environmental factors including pollution.
Who would this serum be most ideal for and why?
Sunday Riley formulated the B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide serum to be effective and useful for all skin types. It can be especially helpful for anyone who is blemish-prone or who feels their skin is inflamed, pigmented, or has dull texture, notes Riley. “It can be used by all skin types, given it helps to regulate sebum production, making it good for those with oily skin and can also help to support the natural skin barrier, making it good for those with dry skin,” Riley says. “It is overall gentle on the skin and can be used by those with sensitive skin.”
‘We conducted several studies in the UK, Korea, and other locations. We tested on people with acne-prone skin across different age groups. The results showed significant improvements:
- Great reduction in pore size.
- Noticeable improvement in discoloration appearance.
- Significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes.
- Reduced oiliness, with a 100% reduction in oily skin within two weeks.
Additionally, within two weeks, 100% of participants saw a reduction in post-acne dark spots and improved oiliness. After four weeks, 100% reported clearer skin and reduced redness, with 96% showing wrinkle improvement. By eight weeks, 100% saw a reduction in pore size. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the serum,’ adds Riley.
It’s also worth pointing out that this product has clinical results, which means it was tested in a group of consumers who were asked to rate the benefits over the course of 2, 4, and 8 weeks. By two weeks, 100% of users reported an improvement in post-acne dark marks and decreased oiliness. “Just as important as the short term results we seek is that with continued use of the serum the same users reported decreased redness, less visible pores, and improved appearance of wrinkles,” says Dustin Portela, D.O., a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. “I always love to see studies where the results are graded by an independent observer, preferably a dermatologist, but user reported results are also an effective way to understand the benefits of a product.”
How to use the B3 Nice Serum in your skincare routine
To reap the most benefits from this skincare product and its active ingredients, use it twice daily after cleansing and before moisturizing. You can use it either morning or night. When using it in the morning, apply it before your vitamin C serum, but before putting on sunscreen. “In the evening I would use it after my retinol serum, and before my moisturizer,” she adds. ‘And by the way, there’s a couple of products that I apply twice a day besides cleansers. B3 Nice is something that I frequently will apply at bedtime as well. Another one is peptide-infused firming Pink Drink essence that I spray during the day, and C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening serum for sure, and I do all my skincare from my bedside table that I can’t escape.’
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