Vitamin B

Why vitamin B?

Vitamin B skincare products can help with hyperpigmentation, breakouts, texture and fine lines without the irritation that comes with high doses of vitamin A or the stability issues of vitamin C. They can be used daily.

There are 12 types of Vitamin B in total, but only 4 or 5 types are found commonly in skincare. The main ones we see in Space NK products are B3 and B5.

 All types of vitamin B in skincare work well as pollution fighting anti-oxidants and also improve the skin's moisture barrier.


B3
Great for calming acne and rosacea, brightening, minimizing pores and general anti-ageing

• Also known as niacinimide
• Anti-inflammatory - so great for calming acne or roseacea and fading redness
• Stimulates elastin and fibrillin production in fibroblasts (the cells which produces collagen and other fibres)
• Protects mitochondria (the energy factories in the cell) which means longer cell life, and improved barrier function, which leaves skin looking more youthful and healthy
• Helps retain moisture
• Lightens & brightens
• Tightens pores

B5
Great for dry, dull or dehydrated skin and treating hormonal breakouts

• Also known as panthenol or pantothenic acid
• Acts as a humectant, to help the skin retain moisture
• In the body, vitamin B5 is used to make hormones. It also breaks down sebum. When people are going through hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or puberty, the vitamin B5 pool is used up so there may be a less sufficient supply to regulate sebum, resulting in congestion. Vitamin B5 can be ingested to help with this, and also applied topically on breakouts.

B2
Great for regulating oil production and moisture

• Also known as riboflavin
• Improves zinc absorption
• Helps with mucus secretion which prevents dryness and excess oil production

B7
Great in supplements

• Also known as biotin
• Usually found in multivitamin tablets for skin, hair and nails
• Improves and maintains a clear complexion
• Promotes hair growth

B12
Great for eczema and/or pigmentation

• Also known as cobalamin
• Often found in supplements and occasionally skincare
• Reduces dark spots and discolouration
• Applied topically can help treat eczema by reducing the body's production of nitric oxide

Seabuckthorn and Goji Berry are also great sources of vitamin B in natural products!


Myth

Vitamin C and B can't be used together
False! When research on this was done originally in the 60s, the formulas weren't as stable as they are now. With modern formulations, vitamin C and B can either be layered or mixed together and will still be effective and stable.


Products

Augustinus Bader The Cream £205.00

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Serum £40.00 (B5)

Briogeo Don't Dispair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask £30.00

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir £60.00 (B3)

Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow £38.50 (B3)

Eve Lom Daily Protection + SPF50 £70.00 (B3)

Oskia Renaissance Brightlight Serum £90.00 (B3)

Oskia Bedtime Beauty Boost £88.00 (B1, B3, B5, B6)

Tan Luxe The Water £33.00

Becca Skin Love Glow Mist £22.00 (goji berry)

111 Skin Space Defence Eye Gel £1110.00 (B2)

111 Skin Y Theorem Serum £190.00 (B2)

Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil £60.00 (sea buckthorn)

Odacite Pe+C Combination Skin £32.00 (sea buckthorn)