Skin Talk with Steph: Ingredient Spotlight Niacinamide, Peptides & Tranexamic Acid

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how to build healthy, radiant skin from the inside out.
We’ve learned:

• Week 1: The importance of consistency and understanding your skin type — because skincare should work for you, not against you.

• Week 2: How simplifying your routine leads to better results when you choose products and treatments that align with your unique skin goals.

• Week 3: That real change happens over time when you combine the right homecare with professional treatments — creating harmony between both.

Now, in our final week of this series, we’re diving deeper into the ingredients themselves — the powerhouses behind every formula that transforms, balances, and renews your skin.

Let’s take a closer look at three of today’s most trusted actives that continue to deliver incredible results here at S-TEEM SKIN:
Niacinamide, Peptides, and Tranexamic Acid.

Why Ingredients Matter

When it comes to achieving real, visible results, your skincare ingredients are everything.
Behind every radiant complexion is a formula crafted with purpose — and understanding what’s inside your products is how you start making smarter choices for your skin.

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on three powerhouse ingredients that continue to transform complexions at S-TEEM SKIN:
Niacinamide, Peptides, and Tranexamic Acid.

Each of these ingredients has a specific role — think of them as the “skin health trifecta” that helps restore balance, firmness, and brightness from the inside out.

1. Niacinamide — The Multitasker

Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is one of the most versatile ingredients in modern skincare. It’s beloved for its ability to bring harmony to the skin — balancing oil, soothing sensitivity, and strengthening the skin barrier all at once.

Benefits:

• Balances oil production without drying the skin

• Reduces redness and inflammation (perfect for acne or rosacea-prone skin)

• Minimizes pore appearance for a smoother texture

• Strengthens the skin barrier, improving hydration retention

• Brightens dull, uneven skin tone over time

Pro Tip from Steph:

If you’re new to active ingredients, start with Niacinamide. It pairs beautifully with almost every ingredient — Vitamin C, Retinol, and even exfoliating acids — and helps calm potential irritation.

Best For: All skin types, especially those dealing with sensitivity, redness, or breakouts.

2. Peptides — The Firming Builders

Think of peptides as your skin’s personal trainers. They’re short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for essential proteins like collagen and elastin, which keep your skin firm, smooth, and youthful.

Benefits:

• Stimulates collagen production for improved firmness and elasticity

• Smooths fine lines and wrinkles

• Supports skin repair and recovery (especially post-treatment)

• Enhances hydration and plumpness

Pro Tip from Steph:

Peptides are perfect for anyone focusing on anti-aging or prevention.
Use them consistently, ideally both morning and night, and layer them under your moisturizer or SPF. Peptides are gentle, making them safe for long-term daily use — and they work synergistically with treatments like Procell Microchanneling or HydraFacial boosters for amplified results.

Best For: Mature, dehydrated, or dull skin needing a firming boost.

3. Tranexamic Acid — The Brightening Powerhouse

While it might sound intimidating, Tranexamic Acid is a dermatologist-loved ingredient that targets stubborn discoloration and uneven tone without harsh side effects.
Unlike exfoliating acids, it works on the skin’s pigment pathway to reduce dark spots, melasma, and post-acne marks gently and effectively.

Benefits:

• Fades hyperpigmentation and dark spots

• Evens skin tone and brightness

• Soothes inflammation from sun exposure or acne

• Improves radiance and clarity over time

Pro Tip from Steph:

Consistency is key with Tranexamic Acid.
Use it regularly — especially alongside Vitamin C in the morning and Niacinamide at night — to boost brightness and prevent new discoloration from forming.

Best For: Uneven tone, post-inflammatory marks, or sun damage.

How They Work Together

When combined, these ingredients create a comprehensive, skin-healthy approach:

• Niacinamide calms and strengthens your barrier

• Peptides rebuild and firm

• Tranexamic Acid brightens and evens

Together, they address multiple skin goals — from texture and tone to firmness and luminosity — without overwhelming your skin barrier. That’s the S-TEEM SKIN philosophy: clinical expertise with skin-nourishing balance.

Steph’s Professional Insight

“Great skin isn’t magic — it’s chemistry done right.
When you understand what’s in your products, you start using them with purpose instead of guesswork.
Niacinamide, peptides, and tranexamic acid are three ingredients I rely on daily — in treatments and homecare — because they speak your skin’s language: balance, repair, and radiance.”

Each ingredient works quietly behind the scenes to create lasting change.
When combined with consistent facials and a customized home regimen, you’re not just caring for your skin — you’re training it to thrive.