Enhancing Vitamin B3 + NAG Formula for Acne, Oiliness, and Pores

Yes, you can definitely add Licorice Extract and Vitamin B6 to your Vitamin B3 + NAG formula to help address acne inflammation, oily skin, and large pores. These ingredients, along with others like Zinc PCA and L-Carnitine, are beneficial for these skin concerns.

Here's how these ingredients can help and their recommended usage rates:

• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Helps reduce oiliness, inflammation, redness, and dark spots. It also strengthens the skin barrier and can help reduce the appearance of pores by controlling oil. Recommended usage is typically 1-10% (often 5%).
• NAG (N-Acetyl Glucosamine): Works synergistically with Vitamin B3 to reduce dark spots. It also helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid for moisture and provides gentle exfoliation, which can help reduce acne breakouts. Recommended usage is typically 1-8% (often 4% when combined with Niacinamide).
• Licorice Extract (Licochalcone A): Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps reduce redness and irritation associated with acne. It also helps control skin oiliness. Recommended usage for the water-soluble 1% Licochalcone A extract is 0.5-3% (0.5-1.0% is often recommended for oiliness and acne).
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride): Effective in balancing skin oiliness and can help tighten pores by reducing excess sebum. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Recommended usage is 0.5-3.0%.
• Zinc PCA: An excellent ingredient for reducing skin oiliness and helping to heal acne scars. It also stimulates collagen production and helps reduce acne breakouts. Recommended usage is 0.2-1.0% (1.0% is recommended for oily skin and reducing acne breakouts).
• L-Carnitine: Helps reduce facial oil production by controlling the pores. It also gently accelerates skin cell turnover, moisturizes, and can help heal scars. Recommended usage is 1-5% (3% is often recommended).

Formulation Notes:

• Licorice Extract (water-soluble type), Vitamin B6, Zinc PCA, and L-Carnitine are all water-soluble and should be added to the water phase of your formulation.
• Ensure your formula's pH is suitable for all ingredients. Vitamin B6 is stable in pH 2-6, Licorice Extract (1%) in pH 3.5-6.5, Zinc PCA is best soluble at pH 4-6 (stable 3-7), and L-Carnitine needs pH below 8 (optimal 3.5-8, adjust to 4-7 for skin).
• Avoid heating Vitamin B6 above 40°C and protect it from light.
• Vitamin B6 is an electrolyte and might affect the viscosity of gels or creams.
• L-Carnitine is very sensitive to moisture; ensure containers are tightly sealed.

By incorporating these ingredients at their recommended rates, you can create a more potent formula targeting acne, oiliness, and pore appearance.