We all aim to get our recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals in order for our body and its organs to function optimally, but we often forget the largest organ of all, our skin. Along with being our largest organ it is also the one that is the most abused from external aggressors and is the last place that receives nutrients from our food and supplements. The good news is this can be rectified by using an effective skin care product that contains a high dose of vitamins.

One of the most important vitamins for skin health is Vitamin B. Vitamin B was once thought to be one single vitamin; it was later proven that it is made up of 8 slightly different chemical components that co-exist in the same sources each providing a specific function within the body and on the skin. These are known as:

  • B1 (Thiamine)
  • B2 (riboflavin)
  • B3 (niacin)
  • B5 (pantothenic acid)
  • B6 (pyridoxine and pyridoxamine)
  • B7 (biotin)
  • B9 (folate or folic acid)
  • B12 (cobalamin)

Vitamin B3(niacinamide) is the most commonly used form of Vitamin B within the skin care industry. A few reasons why you should be including it in your skin care routine are as follows;

Niacinamide helps to boost our skins immunity; it works in much the same way a flu shot would work in the skin by keeping skin cells healthy whilst repairing damaged cells. The Langerhans cells are found within our skin and are important as they provide our skin with protection against external aggressors and further repair cells within our skin. When being exposed to the sun for an extended period of time, the Langerhans cells briefly “hide away” leaving the skin without its natural immunity making it vulnerable to colonising microbes. This in turn increases the chance of precancerous lesions forming on the skin. Applying a topical form of Niacinamide will help prevent this temporary loss of protection.

Alongside this, niacinamide also helps to improve chronic skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis as it increases the biosynthesis of ceramide lipids in the epidermal layers of the skin, thus preventing Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL). This in turn leaves the skin without visible signs of itching, dryness and flaking skin.

The same rule applies when looking at an oilier or acne prone skin. To control the oil secretions the lipid barrier also needs to be balanced. Oily skin types tend to over stimulate their skin which will exacerbate the oil secretion in the skin. By applying niacinamide to the skin, the lipid barrier is no longer impaired and the natural oil secretions become controlled, producing only the amount that is required to keep the skin hydrated and prevent breakouts.

DermaFix Vitamin B Cream helps to improve the above-mentioned concerns. This highly effective, lightweight cream is recommended for all skin types including blemished and problematic skin of any age group, as well as sensitive skin types. A complex of natural botanical extracts, vitamins, and amino acids help to moisturise and balance the skin, while natural Vitamin B Complex (Yeast Extract) helps to regulate oil gland secretion to reduce the possibility of clogged pores, inflammation and breakouts. D-Panthenol (Vitamin B5) stimulates skin healing whilst providing deep moisturisation needed to combat sensitive skin. As an alternative one can incorporate MD Prescriptives Acne Solutions containing an active amount of Niacinamide, Raspberry Leaf Extract and Blackcurrant Leaf Extract helping to control acne by acting as an anti-inflammatory.  This anti-inflammatory action assists to reduce redness and irritation. MD Prescriptives Acne Solutions has a keratolytic action and suppresses the amount of oil or sebum that the glands secrete, thereby reducing the formation of blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores.

Niacinamide furthermore helps to suppress an over production of pigment on the skin and thereby improves uneven skin tone and age-spots. The use of Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanin-containing melanosomes to the outer layers of skin, helping prevent the formation of hyperpigmentation. MD Prescriptives SkinLite is a physician strength formulation containing Niacinamide, visibly diminishing dark spots and skin discolorations for an even, radiant skin tone. This targeted treatment contains a unique triple-action formulation working to suppress the formation of melanin within the skin.

Niacinamide is the perfect addition to your skin care routine if you are looking to minimise fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, Niacinamide boosts collagen production and improves the skins lipid barrier. Along with the improvement of the skin’s lipid barrier comes an increase in cell turn over which contributes to the formation of collagen and elastin. The anti-oxidant properties of Niacinamide help to reduce the negative impact of oxidative stress on the skin. DermaFix PowerDerm is an anti-ageing corrective containing Niacinamide. It protects and stimulates the mitochondria enhancing the ATP levels of the skin cells thereby stimulating collagen synthesis and combating chronological ageing.

Whether you are dry and sensitive, oily and breakout prone or just looking for something anti-ageing and collagen and elastin boosting, Niacinamide can be used on the skin for its versatile properties keeping your skin in optimal health. For further information on the DermaFix Cosmeceutical Skin Care products that contain this highly effective active, visit our website www.dermafix.co.za or contact us directly on 0861 28 23 23