Understanding Cosmetic Ingredients - Niacinamide

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Niacinamide used in cosmetics blocks the pathway by which melanin (melanin pigment forms in the lowest layer of the epidermis and spreads to the surrounding epidermis and stratum corneum, playing a role in darkening the entire skin) moves to the skin surface.

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Niacinamide has a different mechanism that brightens the skin tone by inhibiting the migration of skin melanocytes and suppressing or blocking the process in which melanin is produced in melanocytes and transferred to adjacent keratinocytes in the form of melanosomes, thereby reducing the overall melanin content as the keratinocytes in the lowest layer move upward.

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The first function of niacinamide is whitening.

If only 2~5% is included, it can be granted the mark of a functional cosmetic for whitening improvement and used as a functional cosmetic.

The first principle of skin whitening involves an enzyme called tyrosinase, which inhibits the production of melanin itself.

The principle of inhibiting that enzyme is a characteristic of ingredients with whitening effects.

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Among whitening ingredients, some are highly susceptible to light and air, requiring them to be packaged in brown bottles or used only at night. However, niacinamide does not pose this problem, offering the significant advantage of being usable consistently day and night. Due to this advantage, it continues to be utilized in cosmetic ingredients.

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​ The second function of niacinamide is its anti-inflammatory function.

It regulates an enzyme called Poly ADP ribose polymerase-1, which is responsible for DNA repair and the production of inflammatory substances that can arise when stimulated. Since niacinamide prevents the production of these inflammatory substances, it effectively prevents inflammatory reactions and helps alleviate existing inflammation. Furthermore, various tests have shown that it is effective in relieving inflammatory responses caused by acne bacteria and regulating sebum production, indicating that it can be used as an adjunct to acne treatment.

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In addition to this, niacinamide is widely used in cosmetics due to its various benefits, such as improving the skin barrier, relieving itching, preventing skin cancer, and providing anti-aging effects!