Both
Kojic Acid and Niacinamide are known to be effective when it comes to skincare. You can use products with these ingredients to treat a variety of skin disorders, including acne and pigmentation. Let’s learn more about these two nutritional compounds to help you decide which one is more suited to your skin type.
Kojic Acid: A Brief
The roots of kojic acid are embedded in nature and it is sourced from various fungal elements, mainly Aspergillus oryzae. Also, foods such as rice wine and soy sauce contain this wondrous compound. Its effectiveness in treating skin issues is cited as the reason for its rising popularity in the realm of skincare. Dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne are some common skin concerns which kojic acid addresses.
Kojic Acid: How does it work?
Kojic Acid, with its multifaceted approach, improves and lightens the skin tone to impart a glowing complexion.
Ø Stops Melanin Production
Copper ions have a key role in melanin synthesis, which determines our skin color. Kojic acid disrupts this process by interacting with copper ions to form chelates, lending a uniform skin tone.
Ø Prevents Dark Spots
Kojic acid’s ability to interfere with melanin production helps to treat and prevent dark skin spots, promoting an even skin tone and flawless complexion.
Ø Restores Skin Shine
Kojic acid has gained popularity as a natural skincare product since it exploits the body’s mechanisms to make your skin look radiant.
You can enjoy the goodness of kojic acid to treat acne by applying 2% kojic acid creams, making your skin look younger.
Kosmoderma’s Acne & Blemish Control Serum is another revolutionary skincare product which addresses your acne, pigmentation, and various other skin problems.
Niacinamide: A Brief
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, is a valuable member of the vitamin-B complex family. In its role as a water-soluble vitamin, this remarkable skincare ingredient promotes the health of the skin with its seamless integration with the body’s natural processes.
How does Niacinamide work?
The skincare benefits of Niacinamide are manifold:
Ø Protects the Skin
Niacinamide maintains the skin’s barrier function to retain moisture and offer protection against environmental pollutants, thereby keeping the skin hydrated and healthy.
Ø Minimizes Inflammation
Niacinamide plays the role of an anti-inflammatory agent, which helps to alleviate skin inflammation and reduce skin blemishes and other imperfections.
Ø Brightens the Skin
Like kojic acid, niacinamide inhibits the production of melanin, thereby addressing your pigmentation and uneven skin tone problems.
Ø Reduces the Size of Pores
Niacinamide’s ability to prevent the overproduction of sebum leads to small pores and fewer acne breakouts.
A range of skincare products containing niacinamide are available, including those that contain 5% to 10% of this nutritional compound. People with sensitive skin can use creams with 5% niacinamide, while those dealing with severe skin problems are advised to apply creams with 10% niacinamide.
You can also try
Kosmoderma’s multi-cleanser, Kosmo Cleanser, to unclog your pores and treat sun-damaged skin to improve overall skin health.
Kojic Acid vs. Niacinamide: Which to Choose?
When making your choice between kojic acid and niacinamide, you should consider your skin care needs:
Opt for Kojic Acid when:
Ø You do not have sensitive skin: Kojic acid can cause skin irritation because of its harsh action. If your skin is not sensitive, kojic acid can do wonders for your skin health.
Ø You want to treat your hyperpigmentation issues: Kojic acid’s melanin-inhibiting qualities help to treat dark spots and melasma.
Opt for Niacinamide when:
Ø Your skin is sensitive: Because Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory in nature, this compound is advised to people with sensitive skin to improve skin resilience.
Ø You want a milder option: Unlike kojic acid, Niacinamide is gentle on the skin and does not cause skin irritation.
Ø You want to address multiple skin issues: Besides treating hyperpigmentation, kojic acid not only keeps the skin hydrated but also reduces the size of pores, thereby promoting healthy skin.
Kojic Acid vs. Niacinamide: How to Incorporate into your skincare routine?
There are various ways of incorporating both kojic acid and niacinamide into your daily beauty regime:
Ø Conduct a Patch Test
It is always advisable to perform a patch test when applying new skin products to check your skin’s reaction.
Ø Use Alternatively
Consider applying kojic acid and niacinamide at different times of the day to exploit both their varied skincare benefits.
Ø Try Layering
When you want to use both products together, you should apply the lighter serum before the heavier one.
Ø Apply Sunscreen
Protect your skin with SPF 50 sunscreen during the day to safeguard your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays when you apply kojic acid or niacinamide because they both increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
WRAPPING UP
When you have to choose between kojic acid and niacinamide, consider your skincare goals and skin sensitivity. The potency of kojic acid can help to target specific pigmentation issues, although it does not suit all skin types. On the other hand, niacinamide is ideal if you are looking for a mild, versatile skincare product to address your skin concerns.
You can approach Kosmoderma to consult our skin specialists to determine whether it would be better to include kojic acid, niacinamide, or both these ingredients, in your personalized skincare plan!
