When it comes to building collagen, many people use vitamin C. But there’s another collagen-building nutrient that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
And that’s a shame, because not only does it help build collagen, it also helps with other skin issues like:
1. Wrinkles and dry skin
2. Age spots and hyperpigmentation
3. Red, blotchy skin
This nutrient is even a great alternative to retinol for those who can’t use retinol!
So what is this wonder nutrient? It’s topical vitamin B3.
Let me show you just how remarkable it is...
In one study, researchers wanted to see how effective topical B3 was for improving collagen levels. So they took a group of 50 women — all between the ages of 40 and 60 — and asked them to participate in a split-face trial.
Here’s how it worked:
The researchers gave the women a moisturizer with topical vitamin B3 to apply to one side of their face. And the researchers also gave the women a placebo moisturizer to apply to the other side of their face.
After just 12 weeks, the results were astonishing...
The sides of their faces that got the B3 moisturizer had significantly fewer fine lines and wrinkles. The skin also looked fuller, with more elasticity. And as a bonus, there was even less hyperpigmentation and redness!
I was blown away by those results. I just hope that after the study was over, all the women were given some B3 moisturizer to apply to the other side of their face.
Otherwise, they would have looked pretty lopsided!
But there’s even more that vitamin B3 can do for your skin...
You may have heard of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is important for tissue repair and maintaining skin hydration.
However, as we age, our bodies produce less of it. Which is why dermatologists often recommend skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid.
But did you know that you also can get your skin to make more hyaluronic acid?
It’s true! And all you have to do is apply topical vitamin B3.Yes, B3 helps your skin make more hyaluronic acid.
And guess what? Hyaluronic acid also helps maintain your collagen levels.
See, while collagen makes your skin more firm, hyaluronic acid keeps that collagen moisturized and elastic.
That means you really do need collagen and hyaluronic acid. And you can get both with vitamin B3!
So... are you ready to add vitamin B3 to your skincare routine?
If so, here are a few tips:
#1 Use a topical vitamin B3. Why? Well, topical vitamin B3 directly benefits your skin. Whereas when you just eat foods rich in B3 or take a B3 supplement, your digestive system absorbs the B3 and uses it throughout the body. And only a fraction of the B3 benefits your skin.
Think of topical B3 as an extra skin boost, one that could be the difference between good skin and great skin.
#2 Know what to look for on the label. Topical vitamin B3 goes by different names on product labels. So look for ingredients like “niacin” or “niacinamide.”
#3 Use a product that multitasks. For example, you can use a moisturizer that already contains vitamin B3. That way you won’t have to add another step to your skincare routine.
Topical vitamin B3 is a skin powerhouse. It might not be getting the star treatment that it deserves, but I can't recommend this ingredient enough. It truly does it all!