Uneven Texture
Clogged Pores
Clogged Pores 101: How to Unclog Your Pores
Giner Munos Perez, Benefit National Beauty & Brow Authority, Spain
Uneven Texture
April 17, 2023
Picture this: you're scrolling through skincare products on your phone, getting more overwhelmed by the minute. You take a screenshot of one with niacinamide, THE hot ingredient, and send it to your beauty BFF (the one who somehow knows all the skincare lingo before anyone else does):
WTF is niacinamide?
Is it good? Do I need it? Will it solve my pore problems?
HELP!
We’ll step in as your beauty BFF. And don’t worry—we won’t leave you on read.
Let’s get into everything you need to know about niacinamide, from what it is to its amazing skin-smoothing benefits.
Whether you’re pore-obsessed or have a skincare vocabulary that consists of “soap” and “water,” you’ve come to the right place to learn all about the benefits of niacinamide for skin.
First, let’s save you some scrolling with at-a-glance answers to your questions. Then, we’ll dive into the more detailed ins and outs of niacinamide.
Keep reading for the in-depth scoop on niacinamide.
It's a vitamin! Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3. There are 8 B vitamins that support various aspects of your overall health, from your nervous system to digestive functions. But we know what you’re here for—Vitamin B3 has benefits for skin (don’t worry, we’ll get into that next).
Your body’s no stranger to this vitamin—in fact, our bodies can generate their own niacinamide!
So, what does niacinamide do for your skin? A lot!
#1 Minimizes the Appearance of Pores
Let’s talk about PORES.
You got ‘em. We got ‘em...but what are they, really? They’re tiny openings all over your skin that allow your whole dermal system to function healthily. When pores are visible to the naked eye, they can look like tiny little black dots all over your skin. Which, we know, isn’t exactly ideal.
Here’s the thing: You can’t change the actual size of your pores. Pore size is determined by various factors that are kinda out of our control, like genetics. But you can make them look smaller, especially with products that help minimize oil production.
Enter: niacinamide for pores. Niacinamide can help reduce oil on the surface of your skin. Less oil means pores look smaller (which is one reason we LOVE this ingredient).
Our skin produces sebum, a natural oil that keeps our skin healthy. But when your skin produces too much oil, that oil can get caught in your pores, trapping dirt and impurities in there with it. When that oil, gunk, and grime build up it can make the pore look bigger by “stretching out” its appearance.
Metaphor time: Think about your favorite cloth tote bag—when it’s empty, it looks trim, tight, and tidy. But when you load it up with stuff, the bag looks a lot bigger and more stretched out. That cute lil tote is still the same size as it was before; it just looks bigger because you’ve filled it up. This same rule goes for your pores!
When your skin has less oil, your pores can look smaller. Using niacinamide can reduce the oil on your skin, which then can help visibly reduce the look of pores.
#2 Helps Retain Moisture
Niacinamide can also help reduce water loss in the skin, which is a HUGE win, (especially if you’re wondering about niacinamide for dry skin). When our skin can more easily retain water, it feels healthy and moisturized. So, the more water our skin can retain, the better!
Skin scientists believe that niacinamide may help the skin’s natural water and oil barrier work more efficiently, locking in moisture for skin that looks and feels hydrated.
#3 Helps Skin Look Smoother
The mighty niacinamide combines its powers of oil reduction and moisturization to do even more for your skin. Specifically, niacinamide can help skin feel and look smoother.
Here’s how this smooth operator, well, operates:
"Wow, I’m sold on niacinamide. What next?”
We’re so glad you asked.
Here are our best niacinamide tips to help you maximize the effects of this super-powered ingredient:
Okay, we’re not not going to brag about our superstar smoothing moisturizer.
The POREfessional Smooth Sip is a beautifully bouncy, lightweight gel-cream moisturizer that gives you 12 hours* of hydration and helps improve skin texture. It’s packed with pore-loving ingredients, including:
And these ingredients go to WORK (we checked).
After one use of The POREfessional Smooth Sip...
After 1 month of use...
Just apply to a clean face and neck in the morning and in the evening after you cleanse and tone.
*instrumental test on 30 participants
**self-evaluation by 115 participants after 1 use
***self-evaluation by 115 participants after 1 month
With award-winning Pore Care products and 5,000+ trained and trusted Pore Experts globally, Benefit’s got your back (and your pores, of course). Because when you do more for your pores, you’ll see more from your skin.
Check out our pore resources to learn more!
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, November 27). Top 6 Benefits of Niacinamide. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/niacinamide
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, August 10). 6 Benefits of Niacinamide. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-niacin/art-20364984
Shaw, S. (2022, October 19). What is niacinamide? experts explain the benefits of the anti-aging skin care ingredient. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/beauty/niacinamide-skin-benefits