Vitamin B (Niacinamide) For The Skin

Vitamin B for the skin

 Niacinamide is a much loved vitamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin, grouped under the B₃ group vitamins and is amide to nicotinic acid. Niacinamide is known for its safe and effective use in common cosmeceutical formulations. It is frequently used in dermal therapy treatments for various applications for its relevance in its mechanisms of action and in the treatment of skin conditions.

Mechanisms of action of niacinamide 

Niacinamide has been found to have many functions on a cellular level. Topical application of niacinamide reduces trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) in the epidermis and increase moisture levels by binding on the epidermal cells in the cornified layer. It encourages biosynthesis of ceramides, lipids, free fatty acids and cholesterol found in the stratum corneum by the activation of the mRNA expression. All of which is why niacinamide has an important function of homeostasis and maintaining the epidermal barrier function. There is an improvement in the stratum corneum thickness by 10% with the use of a topical moisturizer containing niacinamide.

Topical niacinamide is proven to have anti-inflammatory effects for the treatment of various skin disorders. This is mainly because its inhibitor role. The major inhibition of the nuclear enzyme poly-ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) takes place when activated by UV radiation. PARP-1 on the other hand has many important functions, which involve: controlling the nuclear factor-kB (NFkB)-mediated transcription, its involvement with DNA repair, genomic stability and its regulation of some transcription factors with the expression of inflammatory cytokines, adhesive molecules and inflammatory mediators. Niacinamide is the key inhibitor for the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-_I  (ICAM-_I) and for major histocompatiability complex II (MHC-II). A steroid sparing effect can be seen from the inhibition of macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF) due to the up regulation not encountering anti-inflammatory effects on their use compared with other cytokines.

Topical niacinamide can reduce sebum production with its sebo-suppressive properties and have direct inhibitory effect on propionbacterium acne when there is an inhibition of the Sir₂ enzymes. Improvements in acne with the topical application of 4% of niacinamide has been studied. However, in cases of excess sebocyte secretions niacinamide is reported to be dose dependant.

Niacinamide is also able to inhibit the transfer of melanosomes from melanocyts to keratinocytes giving a lightening effect on the skin. The combination of topical niacinamide with other lightening ingredients containing tyrosinase inhibitors synergistically gives better results. This is due to minimal inflammation induced by the anti-inflammatory effects of niacinamide.

The Topical Use of Niacinamie for Skin Conditions 

The topical treatment of niacinamide has been widely used for the treatments of various inflammatory skin conditions such as acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis (AD), rosacea and autoimmune bullous dermatoses. It has also shown to have great improvements in the skin barrier function by decreased sebum excretions, reduced hyperpigmention and redness in visible photoageing. Nicainamide has been seen to having positive effects on the reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin sallowness and skin elasticity.

My Views on Topical Niacinamide

Niacinamide is known for so many of its benefits for the skin. It is an ingredient that can  remain efficacious, as it is able to remain stable in light, heat and oxygen. A pH ranging from 4 to 7 is optimal for a product containing niacinamide. This is one of my favourite ingredients as there is very little evidence in scientific data to suggest niacinamide is toxic, but rather a lot more research and findings have been related to its low-toxic profile. It serves as a very important cell metabolizer, inhibitor and helps with DNA repair. There are many treatments available for various skin conditions that all have a commonly use topical niacinamide for its anti-inflammatory effects, lightening effects, and effects on the epidermal barrier function of the skin.