Ingredients Watch: The Types of Vitamin B

Ingredients Watch: The Types of Vitamin B

For many years, we have focused on the need for getting vitamins A & C into our skincare regime. Don't get me wrong, these ingredients are some of the essential building blocks to healthy skin, but there's another vitamin that has often been overlooked.

Lately I've noticed vitamin B stepping out into the limelight and becoming much more prominent in skincare regimes. It's a fantastic addition that can quietly make some visible changes to your skin, but it's also quite confusing. There are nine forms of vitamin B, so I thought we'd take a look at the ones you should be looking for in your skincare.

Vitamin B3: Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a powerful skin-restoring ingredient that provides a number of benefits to all skins, making it my favourite of the B vits. B3 strengthens the skin barrier. A healthy barrier function is crucial to maintaining a clear, youthful complexion, as weakened skin is less able to protect itself against harmful environmental aggressors such as pollution, weather, etc. A fully functioning barrier will also help to prevent moisture loss and dehydration.It's also been shown to increase the ceramide levels in the outer layers of the skin. An increase in ceramides in the first trimester of pregnancy is what gives expectant mothers their gorgeous glow, so niacinamide can help to boost skin radiance.If all that wasn't enough, vitamin B3 helps to regulate oil production, maintaining a healthy level for skin that doesn't lean too much towards dry or oily.You may not have realised your skin needs this vitamin, but after two weeks of including niacinamide in your daily regime, I promise you'll see the difference!

Find it in: Synergie Vitamin B Essential Niacinamide Serum

Vitamin B5: Panthenol

When applied to the skin, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid, a substance that is readily absorbed by the body. This allows it to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin where it can really get to work.Pantothenic acid acts as a humectant, which means it attracts water into the skin cells and holds that moisture there. You'll often find B5 added to moisturising serums and creams to help skin hold onto the hydration they provide for much longer. As well as this, it can also have an anti-inflammatory effect, soothing and calming irritated skin.

Find it in: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5

Vitamin B7: Biotin

Biotin is a fantastic all round beauty mineral as it works to thicken the hair, skin and nails. Although it can have some benefits when applied topically, the key to getting the most of Biotin is orally.Did you know that the benefits of B7 were discovered when it was used to prevent horses hooves from becoming brittle and cracking? If it can keep tough hooves in a healthy condition, think of what it can do for you! If you feel your skin, hair and nails are weakened and need a boost, taking biotin will help to restore a healthy feel and appearance.

Find it in: Beautycoll Collagen Drink

If you need some help on incorporating vitamin B into your existing regime, call our skincare experts on 0113 282 7744 for free advice.

Written for you by: Ellie, Face the Future