Vitamin B3 is one of our favourite ingredients for skin exposed to extremes of dry hot and dry cold weather, air conditioning, dust and harsh makeup removers.

Known as niacinamide, it is always laboratory produced and although primarily used as a depigmenting agent, it is fast becoming a darling of the cosmeceutical world and for a very good reason. Not only is it excellent at repairing the skin barrier which is easily damaged by harsh environments and strong cleansers used to remove heavy makeup, but it also reduces excess sebum (the waxy secretion in pores) so pores look smaller, skin texture is more uniform and acne is improved.

One benefit we truly love is that niacinimide reduces skin yellowing and sallowing and being an excellent anti-inflammatory, red blotchiness is also reduced (though this could be because of a combination of an improved skin barrier and vitamin B3's anti-inflammatory action).

As more and more positive research is published about this excellent active, get ready to see it included in many more products designed to improve the skin barrier and reduce hyperpigmentation. As a stand alone active it is excellent, but as with all skin actives, vitamin B3 is best used in combination with other actives to create a synergistic effect. BLOOM Collagenesis Day Cream and Phyto Retinol Night Cream are both formulated with niacinimide in combination with other essential vitamins, antioxidants and anti inflammatory agents.