Should I Use Vitamin B in My Skincare?

Vitamin B has amazing benefits, including reducing inflammation, healing blemishes, improving fine wrinkles, and fortifying the skin barrier—but is it what YOU need? Read on to learn which forms of Vitamin B can help with each of these issues, and where to find it naturally!

Welcome to The ABCs of Skincare Series

In skincare products, unlike in foods, vitamins aren't listed on the ingredient list when it's naturally found in another ingredient (such as pumpkin pulp)—even though they are some of the best places to find nutrients. In this series, learn where to find those naturally occurring sources. Check out the Vitamin A Blog here!

In this blog:

Types of Vitamin B in Skincare 

Vitamin B has eight types overall, which doesn’t make it easy to know which ones you need. But we’re about to break it down! Today we will look at five types of Vitamin B that are often found in skincare: B3, B5, B6, B7, and B12.

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)

Dropper

As Dr. Gerard Ee summarizes, “Vitamin B3 reduces inflammation, signs of aging like fine wrinkles and blemishes, and improves the function of the skin's barrier.” [1] Check out this list of benefits:

  • Antioxidant: Niacinamide increases the antioxidant capacity of the skin. Antioxidants help reduce damage to the skin caused by UV rays and free radicals. [2]
  • Barrier function: Niacinamide stimulates important functions of the skin barrier, improving skin’s protective qualities. [3]
  • Treat acne: At 4-5% concentration, Niacinamide has proven effectiveness treating acne—because of promoting the skin barrier and important compounds within the skin, as well as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [4]
  • Minimize pores: At 2-3% concentration, Niacinamide can reduce sebum production that causes appearance of enlarged pores and acne. [5]
  • Fine lines and wrinkles: At 4-5% concentration, Niacinamide can improve signs of aging. Niacinamide may increase production of collagen and proteins like keratin in the skin, which can improve elasticity and reduce wrinkles. Prescription retinoids and Vitamin C may have a faster effect on these signs of aging, but Niacinamide is perfect for treating sensitive skin at a sustainable rate, or combining with either of those products to increase their effectiveness and decrease irritation. [6] [7]
  • Hyperpigmentation: At 4-5% concentration, niacinamide can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation with consistent use. [8]
  • Improve elasticity: Even before signs of aging appear, Niacinamide can promote a glowing complexion by bolstering collagen and keratin production. [9]
  • Yellowing of skin: By inhibiting oxidative processes, Niacinamide may help reduce yellowing of the skin associated with signs of aging. [10]

Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) is often used at 2-3% concentrations to treat fine lines, loss of elasticity, and excess sebum production. It is used at 4-5% concentrations to treat acne and hyperpigmentation.

At Apoterra, we include Vitamin B3 in these products:

  1. Rose Essential Hydration Mist - Niacinamide (3%)
  2. Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist - Niacinamide (4%)

We include ingredients that have naturally occurring Vitamin B3 (niacin) in this product:

  1. Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud - Pumpkin Pulp [20]

    Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)

    Pumpkins

    Panthenol is at its best as a moisturizer and minor wound healer. As an “unsung hero” of hydrators [11], it has these benefits: 

    • Moisturizes and hydrates: With both humectant and emollient properties, it binds water to the skin and smoothes the skin. Its hydrating properties can help treat dry skin, dermatitis, and psoriasis. [11] [12]
    • Wound healing: Panthenol can increase cell turnover, hydrate, and improve barrier function. All of these makes it a great ingredient to treat minor skin injuries, sunburns, and burns. [13] 
    • Boosts skin barrier: Panthenol improves the skin barrier by enhancing lipid synthesis, improving elasticity, and enhancing the skin’s permeability to active ingredients. [14]
    • Skin soothing: Keeping the skin moisturized can reduce irritation associated with conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis. It also soothes UV irritation. [15] [16]
    • Reduced sebum levels: By strengthening the follicles, pantothenic acid has been shown to decrease sebum levels in persons with oily skin [17]
    • Sunburn treatment: Panthenol is commonly used to treat sunburn since it has an anti-inflammatory effect on UV-induced redness. [18]

    Panthenol is naturally found in plant and animal sources, such as nuts, meat, fish, eggs. For higher concentrations, it is usually synthetically produced in a laboratory setting. [19] At Apoterra, we include ingredients that have naturally occurring Vitamin B6 in this product:

    1. Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud - Pumpkin Pulp [20]

    Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

    Turmeric Powder

    Vitamin B6 is popular for both oral and topical uses in skincare, but with different results

    • (Oral) Soothe Hormonal Imbalance: Pyridoxine helps balance blood sugar, reduce histamines, and reduce estrogen dominance when taken orally. An improved hormonal balance can reduce hormonal acne. [21] [22] 
    • (Topical) Reduce inflammation: Pyridoxine can reduce inflammation, improving inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. [23]

    Vitamin B6 has plentiful natural sources from both plants and animals [24]. At Apoterra, we include ingredients that have naturally occurring Vitamin B6 in these products:

    1. Vitamin C Regenerative Balm - Turmeric [25]
    2. Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud - Pumpkin Pulp [26]

    Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

    Shiitake Mushrooms

    Biotin is not often used topically, but it deserves a mention for skincare. Biotin and collagen oral supplements are often taken in conjunction to improve hair, skin, and nails [27] 

    • (Oral) Support hair, skin, and nail health: Anecdotally, many have found that biotin supplements increased the thickness and vitality of their hair, skin, and nails. Studies are still in progress to approve or deny these claims; it may not be as beneficial for those who are not biotin-deficient. [27]
    • Support scalp health: The main topical use of biotin is in shampoos and other hair products. Biotin hair care can produce thicker, healthier strands. [27]

    Biotin is naturally found in plant and animal sources, including egg yolks, beef, fish, almonds, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes [28]. For cosmetic purposes, it is usually synthetically produced in a laboratory setting. We don’t currently include biotin in our line.

    Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

    Seaweed on the shore

    Cobalamin is commonly used in both topical and oral forms for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and barrier-supportive qualities.

    • Antioxidant: Cobalamin has antioxidant properties, which can protect from oxidative damage via free radicals. [29]
    • Improves barrier function: Regular use of Cobalamin can result in thicker, firmer skin and overall improved skin health [30]
    • Reduces inflammation: Cobalamin can be useful to treat acne, psoriasis, and eczema because of its anti-inflammatory properties. [31]
    • (Oral) Cellular regeneration and wound healing: Cobalamin can be an effective healer through supporting cellular regeneration, blood cell production, and pigment regulation. [32]

    Cobalamin is naturally found in animal sources, such as beef, clams, and tuna, as well as mushrooms and seaweed [32] [33]. However, for cosmetic purposes it is usually synthetically produced in a laboratory setting. We don’t currently include cobalamin in our line.

    Getting the Most out of Vitamin B Skincare

    • Use Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) at 2-3% concentrations to treat fine lines, loss of elasticity, and excess sebum production. 
    • Pair Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) with most anti-aging and acne skincare ingredients like retinoids to reduce irritation that these ingredients might cause.
    • Use Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) at 4-5% concentrations to treat acne and hyperpigmentation.
    • Combine Vitamin B5 (Panthenol) with almost any ingredient; you will find it in hydrating serums and sunburn relief. 
    • Take Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and B7 (Biotin) orally to soothe hormonal imbalance and support hair, skin, and nail health. 
    • Use Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) and B12 (Cobalamin) topically to combat inflammation and support the skin barrier. 
    • It’s also good to take B-complex supplements orally for inside-out benefits!

    Shop Vitamin B Skincare

      1. Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist - Nicknamed “liquid gold” by our customers, this pH balanced hydrating mist is your pore-clearing, dullness-ditching, vibrant skin pick-me-up. It contains Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) at a 4% concentration ideal for acne and hyperpigmentation.Neroli Mist
      2. Rose Essential Hydration Mist - When skin needs hydration, this pH balanced mist will provide it at a cellular level. It contains Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) at a 3% concentration, alongside hyaluronic acid, ideal for fine lines, loss of elasticity, and dehydration.Rose Mist
      3. Vitamin C Regenerative Balm - This Vitamin C balm provides a potent treatment to plump fine lines, repair hyperpigmentation, and revive the skin barrier—all while inciting the ultimate glow. It contains turmeric powder with naturally occurring Vitamin B6, which can help reduce inflammation.Vitamin C Balm
      4. Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud - A 2-in-1 face scrub and exfoliating mask made with a synergetic cocktail of naturally occurring acids and enzymes to gently exfoliate and renew dull, lackluster skin.It contains pumpkin pulp with naturally occurring Vitamin B5 and B6, which can help reduce inflammation.
        Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud

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