When used in topical form, niacin, or niacinamide gel, may improve skin quality and reduce the facial flushing of rosacea. However, eating foods that contain high amounts of this B-complex vitamin may aggravate rosacea symptoms in people who have the condition, according to Rosacea.org. If your medical provider has recommended niacinamide gel as a topical treatment, use the product only according to your provider's instructions. Because dietary triggers for rosacea can be highly individualized, you may need to monitor your diet to identify foods that trigger flare-ups of this inflammatory skin disease.
Symptoms
Rosacea is a chronic, often progressive skin condition that begins with a persistent flushing around the cheeks and nose and an increased sensitivity to sun, extremes of hot or cold or thermally hot foods and beverages. Your skin may be dry, fragile and prone to irritation when you use certain skin-care products or eat certain foods. In some individuals, small pustules or papules may form on your face and torso. Although there is no specific treatment that resolves rosacea symptoms in everyone who has the condition, many people have reported improvement after using topical or oral antibiotics, specialized moisturizers and sunscreens or facial laser surgery, Mayo Clinic says.
Significance
Niacin, or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble nutrient that occurs naturally in chicken, pork, mackerel, swordfish, salmon, beef liver and fortified ready-to-eat cereals. Unlike the majority of the B-complex vitamins, niacin may be toxic at high levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Niacin contributes to glucose metabolism and regulates blood flow by promoting vasodilation, or expansion of your blood vessels. Because of its function as a vasodilator, niacin may worsen the redness of rosacea. According to the Mayo Clinic website, foods or beverages that stimulate circulation to the skin may trigger inflammation in people who have this chronic condition.
Topical Treatment
When used as a topical gel, niacinamide, or nicotinic acid, may improve skin quality by increasing moisture retention in your skin's outer layer and counteracting cellular damage caused by light and aging. In an article published in the April 2004 issue of the "Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology," niacinamide gel may act as a protective barrier, stimulate new cell growth in the skin and reduce inflammation in people who have rosacea. Niacinamide gel is available with a medical provider's prescription. Drugs.com recommends that you apply a thin layer of niacinamide gel to your face after washing with a mild cleanser, then gently rub the gel into your skin to ensure thorough distribution. Niacinamide gel is typically applied twice a day.
Precautions
Although niacinamide gel may resolve or reduce rosacea symptoms, oral forms of niacin and foods that are high in this vitamin may make inflammation and skin sensitivity worse. High oral doses of niacin, or vitamin B3, can cause hot flushing, skin irritation, heart irregularities and sudden drops in blood pressure, according to the UMMC. Do not use niacinamide gel in combination with other topical treatments or substitute other forms of niacin for the prescribed treatment, Drugs.com says. Niacinamide gel may cause dry skin, a rash, hives or other allergic reactions. Consult your medical provider about using niacinamide safely to reduce rosacea symptoms.
