Rationale Trial – Niacinamide

Niacinamide is also known as Vitamin B3 or Niacin. It occurs naturally in the skin where it works in tandem with other biological chemicals to keep the skin healthy and hydrated. It does this job by working with the skins aquaporin proteins which form part of the skins cell membranes. Aquaporins are little pumps which maintain the skins osmotic balance ensuring that cells neither get water-logged or dehydrated. It is all very smart really!

In young, undamaged skin this moisture pumping continues without us even worrying about it leaving the skin fresh and healthy looking without the need for additional moisturisers but as time goes and our skin processes slow down our bodies may just benefit from some extra-cellular help in the form of a product.

When our skins barrier is compromised anything, even water will irritate it so the first part of any skin care regimen should be to focus on strengthening this lipid bi-layer. People with ‘normal’ or very tolerant skin may find that the best way to do this is by using a simple moisturiser but those with more sensitive skin or a more compromised barrier may do well to try something like this. Serums do not feel like they are doing much moisturising but as we have seen above, they are. The work smart not hard and focus on working WITH the skin rather than working as a coat to protect it.

Rationale recommend following up the Niacinamide serum with the rejuvenating serum and then some SPF 30 Zinc sunscreen but we will talk about that later.

Rationale

Niacinamide Serum Ingredients:
Aqua, Niacinamide (the key active), Glycerine (another humectant or water binder), Glyceryl polyacrylate (part of a silicone based hydrogel used to form the body of the product and help with active delivery), Ascorbyl Glucoside (vitamin C derivative), Carbomer (thickener), Polysorbate 20 (solubiliser), Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 (anti-wrinkle peptide), Undecylenoyl phenylalanine (amino acid based pigmentation evening active), Sodium Hyaluronate (humectant/ water binder), preseratives, natural aroma (white tea and rosemary).