by Oily skin and summer weather do not mix. You are sticky and sweaty and your skin produces so much oil that no amount of blotting paper can control it. To help reduce oil production, Shirley Chi, MD, a certified dermatologist in Southern California, says you can use niacinamide.
“Niacinamide has sedative and anti-inflammatory properties, which neutralize the effects of stress hormones on the skin,” says Dr. Chi. “Stress hormones increase the production of oil on the skin, so reducing inflammation makes your skin less oily.”
Stress hormones and oil production are linked because the oil and sebaceous glands have hormone receptors on them. Thus, calming your skin and protecting it from stress hormones helps to normalize the fat glands. A small study from 2006 found that a topical niacinamide product reduced sebum excretion rates by two percent over four weeks, which means that if you start using your niacinamide now, it can help degrease your skin before Really hot summer weather is coming.
In addition to reducing oil production, niacinamide is also an excellent moisturizer, can help strengthen your skin barrier and offers antioxidant protection from environmental stressors. It is also quite gentle, which means that anyone can use it, explains Rebecca Marcus, MD, a certified dermatologist in Dallas.
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“People with very sensitive skin can usually tolerate niacinamide in the right concentration,” says Dr. Markus. “It’s important to pay attention and make sure it is between 3 and 5 percent, so it works, but it is not annoying.”
Buy 4 great niacinamide options for oily skin
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