Topical vitamin B3/niacinamide

Topical vitamin B3 (i.e. applied directly to the skin as a cream) has been shown to reduce many of the visible signs of sun damage and ageing as well as enhancing wound healing. It is inexpensive and readily available in moisturisers and as a stand-alone product.

Skin health benefits of topical vitamin B3

Repair of sun-damaged and ageing skin

Vitamin B3 cream or serum, also known as niacinamide or nicotinamide, is one of the most effective topical cosmetic products. It has been shown in multiple trials to improve visible signs of sun-damaged and ageing skin in many ways:

• pigmentation (Kimball 2010)
• lentigines, also called "age spots" (Bissett 2006)
• wrinkles (Fu 2010, Spada 2019)
• red blotchiness (Bissett 2006)
• yellowing (Bissett 2006)
• elasticity (Bissett 2006, Spada 2019)
• Increased production of keratin, strengthening of the skin's lipid barrier, reduction of dry skin (Spada 2019, Farris 2015)

Enhanced wound healing

Topical vitamin B3 has been shown in an experimental setting to improve skin healing after excision procedures (Esfahani 2015).

Other benefits

Topical vitamin B3 is sometimes used in the treatment of dermatitis and acne.

Using topical vitamin B3

Topical vitamin B3 is easily absorbed into the skin and unlike some other topical skin repair treatments, it rarely causes any side effects or skin irritation. (Farris 2015)

It should be applied to the skin daily and can be used in combination with other ski treatments, moisturiser and sunscreen.

Results will take several months to become apparent.

Availability

Nicotinamide for topical use is available in many skin preparations, including Solarcare vitamin B3 mosturiser (available for purchase at Spot Check Clinic). For people with sun-damaged skin and a history of BCC, SCC or solar keratoses, we recommend Propaira SPF50+  sunscreen, which contains nicotinamide.