Niacinamide Origin and Nanotechnology in Skincare
Question
I have two questions:
- Is the Niacinamide sold on myskinrecipes extracted from nature or synthesized?
- Regarding nanotechnology in skincare products that reduces particle size, for example, does it truly improve absorption and efficacy, or is it just a marketing mechanism? I ask because I've seen good results from simply mixing ingredients purchased from myskinrecipes without needing any special technology.
Answer
Based on the staff's reply in the forum thread:
Regarding Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) sold on myskinrecipes, the staff reply indicates that Vitamin B3 is generally synthesized, not extracted from nature, regardless of the source. The crucial aspect is the purity achieved during synthesis. Impurities like niacin can cause skin flushing and irritation.
On the topic of nanotechnology in skincare to reduce particle size (like in creams), the staff explains that "nanotechnology" is a very broad term. Simply stating "nano" doesn't automatically mean it's beneficial. Some nano applications are useful (e.g., titanium dioxide around 100nm for UV protection), while others may not be (e.g., very small 10nm titanium dioxide which doesn't block UV effectively). While simple mixing can yield results, appropriate and effective technology can enhance formulation efficacy beyond basic mixing. However, the specific technology needs to be clearly defined to assess its true benefit versus being purely a marketing claim.