B vitamin hype: with the promise of fighting acne, rosacea, and tumors, what can this vitamin really do for you?

Vitamin B is no small time player in the high stakes game of beauty. Pellagra is
a life threatening skin disease characterized by dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis that results from a niacin (B vitamin) deficiency. In the early 20th century in the South and Midwest of the United States, pellagra plagued thousands of people. The condition was thought to be contagious until investigators discovered the underlying nutritional deficiency.

Even today, the importance of vitamin B is increasing its importance in the world of beauty. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD forecasts topical vitamin B and its multiple derivatives as key ingredients in future anti-aging products. One study reports that topical nicotinamide, when applied to the skin for six days, reveals softer, smoother skin, with less dryness and flakiness, and a reduction of fine lines. Even more promising is its anti-cancer properties. For instance, when applied to mouse skin, topical nicotinamide produced a 70 percent decrease in ultraviolet-induced skin cancer.

Niacinamide, another byproduct of vitamin B, serves as an effective skin-lightening agent. In one clinical investigation, patients with hyperpigmentation applied a moisturizer containing five percent niacinamide. Four weeks later, computer analysis of the hyperpigmentation and skin color revealed a decrease in hyperpigmentation, along with an increase in skin lightness. Topical niacinamide also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a potential treatment for acne, rosacea, and any blistering-type disease.

Dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C., is confident that praise for the therapeutic effects of niacinamide will continue to increase. Dr. Baumann cautions that the many versions of one vitamin can be confusing, and recommends speaking with your dermatologist to ensure you are selecting the right vitamin product for your skin care needs.

Mother Nature's wisdom will never lead you astray. If you can't wait to get the benefits of B vitamins in your beauty cream, just go to your local market and help
yourself to some chicken, tuna, potatoes, spinach, asparagus, black beans, and watermelon.

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