Benefits of Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Studies have proven in the recent years that niacinamide is a powerful ingredient that yields many skin care benefits.

Commonly known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide at 2% has been shown to reduce water loss in the skin and retain fatty acid levels (younger, plumper, firmer skin). It has also been proven at high concentrations (between 3-4%) to be a very effective acne reducer. Clinical research has shown niacinamide (Vit B3) to be just as effective as the topical antibiotic Clindamycin at treating acne. Obviously Niacinamide doesn't run the risk of resistance, since it is not an antibiotic.

Niacinamide is also an excellent skin lightening agent that works by disrupting the transfer of melanosome from the melanocyte to the keratinocyte. I blogged about this months ago, but there was a study done by Procter & Gamble that proved that the combination of niacinamide and glucosamine (N-Acetyl Glucosamine) demonstrated significant skin lightening in patients. This revelation was pretty big, and was presented at the 2006 American Academy of Dermatology. Here is an interesting link showing before & after pictures of patients as well as details regarding the research:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-06/msl-sfn063006.php

In general, most individuals saw results after 12 weeks of daily usage (and saw a reduction of 35-68% of pigmentation). Like with most other skin lightening compounds, niacinamide has an inhibitory effect and in order to get the most out of it, you must be wearing sunscreen everyday and exfoliate often to ensure a complete melanin inhibiting process.

I am really fascinated by niacinamide, I have heard a lot about it through many mediums. I knew about the skin lightening benefits, but I always hesistated to try it out because very few products out there contain niacinamide in half-decent concentrations. The only ones I can think of are:

Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum

Olay Definity Line

La Roche Posay Rosaliac Anti-Redness

Fair & Lovely Fairness Cream

Fairever Cream

SK II Whitening Source (Japanese whitening line)

There are probably more (and most of those, aside from the SK II Whitening Source, contain below than 2 or 3% niacinamide), but honestly I am more interested in crafted my own niacinamide lightener. Either as a mask, toner or serum I don't know yet but I'm definitley interested in making one. You all know how much I love doing these do-it-yourself skin lightening recipes. I know I can purchase the active ingredient at bulkactives.com.

I just need to do a bit more research but I'm seriously thinking of making one. I am convinced Niacinamide (possibly mix it with N-Acetyl Glucosamine) may end with some awesome results. Look out for a blog post on this in the new couple of days when I get more information.

=D

Picture: Eurekalert