Know Your Ingredients: Niacinamide
What it is
Niacinamide (also called nicotinamide) is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3.
What it does
Niacinamide increases ceramide, free fatty acid and collagen production in the skin and stimulates micro-circulation in the dermis. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, sallowness and improves elasticity.
One study showed that niacinamide is more effective than vaseline (petrolatum) at reducing water loss and increasing the hydration levels of skin. For these reasons, it may help alleviate rosacea.
It reduces flaking and restores suppleness, thus improving the appearance of dry and damaged skin. In addition, it also improves the appearances of hair by increasing body and sheen as well as the texture of damaged hair.
Some studies on the anti-acne properties of this ingredient showed that it helps reducing the inflammation without inducing bacterial resistance.
Niacinamide also decreases skin discoloration by inhibiting the transfer of melanosomes (organelles that contain melanin in cells) to the skin cells, which stops irregular pigmentation from forming.
Some studies have also demonstrated that niacinamide may have anti-tumor properties.
Side effects
Sirtuins, a group of enzymes that regulates the activity of some genes responsible for metabolism, cell defense and other functions, are inhibited by niacinamide. Therefore, products that contain niacinamide shouldn’t be used with products that contan sirtuins.
It is a mild eye irritant.
Win a Le Gloss Stick Set from Annabelle Cosmetics
Annabelle Cosmetics is holding a competition to win 1 of 5 Le Gloss Stick sets featuring your 6 favourite shades! Le Gloss stick has the comfort of a lipstick and the shine of a gloss. And it has a light vanilla scent as well! Interested? Here’s the details:
The contest is open to Canadian residents only and ends on March 9th, 2009. For a chance to win, simply subscribe to the Annabelle Cosmetics website. Visit the My Annabelle section of the site, create your profile and subscribe to the newsletter. If you’re already registered on the website, you’re already in the draw!
5 random winners will be chosen on march 10th and each of them will get to choose her 6 fave shade of Le Gloss Stick.
Triple Awards!
Wow, I’ve been nominated for the triple awards by two very sweet friends, Eru from The Punk Cat and Emilita from She’s Little and Lovely. Thanks girls, I feel really honoured and you have really brightened my day!
Now I have to nominate ten other beauty bloggers. This was so hard to do as there are lots of beauty blogs that I love!
The rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.
Here are my nominees, in random order:
Makeup and Beauty Blog
Musings of a Muse
Lipsticks and lightsabers
The Punkcat
My Makeup Reviews
Ask Me Whats
A Beautyful Sentiment
My Makeup Blog
Skin Deco
Ahleessa 4 Realz
Please, go and check out these amazing blogs now! I’m sure you’re gonna love them too 
Product Review: L’Oreal Demaq Expert Milk-to-Toner 2 in 1 Makeup Remover
Name: Demaq Expert Milk-To-Toner 2 in 1 Makeup Remover
Brand: L’Oreal
Size: 150ml
Price: €12,50
From L’Oreal website:
For the first time from L’Oréal Paris, an ultra-effective make-up removing milk which then transforms into a fresh toner. A texture that transforms on application for a complete make-up removal solution in a single step.
What I liked:
- transforms from cream to liquid
- pink color (I know it’s not really a pro, but I love pink and really couldn’t think of anything else I like about this)
What I didn’t like:
- doesn’t remove all makeup
- leaves a greasy residue
- stings
- the fragrance
- ingredients
I’ve been curious about this relatively new line of cleanser from L’Oreal ever since it came out. This product in particular, Milk-to-Toner 2 in 1 makeup remover, claims to transform into a toner that removes eye, face and lip makeup all in one step. I like multi-tasking products and I was hoping I would be able to make my cleansing routine faster and cheaper. Unfortunately this product turned out to be a HUGE disappointment and I’m just glad that I didn’t have to pay for it, but only tried a sample.
The cream is a light pink/white color that quickly turns into a watery, although not toner-like, consistency when you massage it on the skin. Then, you remove it using a cotton pad. However, it doesn’t remove makeup well at all. I still needed to use my usual cleanser to get rid of makeup residues this left on my skin. In addition, it left a greasy film on my face.
Another thing I dislike is that this cleanser is not really gentle. It did sting my face so I was too scared to try and remove my eye makeup with it. And the fragrance is nice but very strong and it was really bothering me when I applied the product. Even if this actually worked, I doubt I’d use it again because of the heavy scent, which is something I can’t really stand in beauty products.
One of the main cleansing ingredients contained in the product is Butylene Glycol, which is an alcohol. Ethylhexyl palmitate, a fatty acid, and Isohexadecane are used as solvents too.
One of the prservatives in this product is Imidazolidynil Urea, which has been proved to release formaldehyde. See this post for more information on this subject.
Summary:
It sucks! Definitely the worst cleanser I have ever used. It doesn’t remove all makeup, leaves a greasy residue and stings.
Rating: 1/5
Disclaimer: a few years ago I joined the L’Oreal Club VIP on their official website. One of the benefits is that sometimes they send out products to their members to test out. This item is the only thing that they have ever sent me . The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.DIY Beauty: Orange and Yogurt Facial Mask
Orange and yogurt are not only tasty but they’re really good for your skin as well. Orange is full of Vitamin C and has astringent properties, while yogurt is rich in proteins. It also contains zinc, which has healing properties and calms inflammation, and lactic acid, a AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that exfoliates and improves collagen production.
If you mix these two ingredients together, you’ll make a mask that exfoliates, nourishes and cleans pores. Here’s the recipe:
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon of yogurt
- Juice of about 1/4 of an orange
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix the ingredients together.
Spread the mixture on your face.
Rinse after 5-10 minutes.