How do you choose the best B vitamins for your next cosmetic formula? We’ll help you with this overview of all vitamin B types.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Advantage in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Thiamine improves blood flow and reduces signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
- Hair products: It contributes to a healthy scalp that promotes hair growth and strong hair.
- Soap: Soaps with thiamine help keep skin healthy by preventing dehydration.
Usual applications: Anti-aging creams, hair growth serums, scalp treatments, moisturizing soaps.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Advantage in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Riboflavin helps promote cell renewal and repair that reduce inflammation and redness making it good for sensitive skin.
- Hair products: It repairs damaged cells involved in healthy hair.
- Soap: Such soap is useful for healing the skin.
Usual applications: Sensitive or irritated skin care products, moisturizers, anti-inflammatory treatments, restorative soaps.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin/Niacinamide)
Benefit of Vitamin B3 or Niacin in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Niacinamide is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and brightening effects on the skin, reducing hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
- Hair products: It increases hair elasticity and makes it stronger, while reducing scalp inflammation.
- Soap: Niacinamide-enriched soap can help brighten skin and control problem areas with breakouts.
Common uses: Brightening serums; anti-aging creams; shampoos; conditioners; soaps to fight pimples.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).
Benefit of Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic Acid or DL-Panthenol in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Pantothenic acid acts as an emollient compound that heals cuts, resulting in smoother skin.
- Hair Products: It adds strength to your locks enhancing their shine while retaining moisture in each strand.
- Soap: Pantothenic acid in soap helps ensure that skin stays wet and smooth.
Uses: Moisturizers, healing creams, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizing soaps.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Benefit of Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Pyridoxine is used to treat eczema and acne because it has anti-inflammatory properties that help with skin health.
- Hair products: It supports hair growth by aiding in protein metabolism.
- Soap: Such soaps can help reduce irritation to soothe the skin.
Common uses: Acne treatments; anti-inflammatory skin care; hair growth products; emollient soaps.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Advantage in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Biotin works to keep the skin hydrated and smooth.
- Hair products: It promotes healthy hair growth while also making your hair stronger and thicker.
- Soap: This vitamin keeps skin healthy in a bar of soap and protects it from drying out.
Common uses: hair growth serums; conditioners; moisturizers; nourishing soaps.
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
Advantage in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Folic acid helps regenerate skin cells and reduces signs of aging.
- Hair Products: Supports healthy hair growth by preventing hair loss.
- Soap: Soap enriched with folic acid can help renew skin and restore moisture.
Common applications: Anti-aging products; regenerating creams; hair growth remedies; revitalizing soaps.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
Advantage in cosmetics, hair products and soaps:
- Cosmetics: Cobalamin fights dryness in addition to inflammation, making one’s skin look healthier.
- Hair Products: Helps prevent hair loss and stimulates growth by supporting red blood cell formation.
- Soap: Soap with cobalamin helps keep skin hydrated by reducing irritation.
Usual applications: Moisturizers, anti-inflammatory skin care, hair growth products, moisturizing soaps.
Formulation overview
By incorporating these different types of Vitamin B into cosmetics, hair products and soaps, manufacturers can address a wide range of skin and hair problems, such as aging, dryness, inflammation or hair loss.
| For the skin | For the hair | Formulation considerations | |
| Niacinamide/B3 | @2%: reduces TWEL up to 27%, strengthens skin barrier, stimulates collagen production @5%: reduces age spots by more than 25% in eight weeks | Usage: 1-5% pH: 3.5-7.5 Stable in light and oxygen Add at <70°C | |
| Panthenol/B5 | skin moisturizer, anti-inflammatory effect, soothes irritated skin, helps heal minor wounds @2.5% improvements > 37% | Strengthens the hair; provides moisture | Usage: 0.5-5% pH: 4-7.5 Stable in light and oxygen Add at <70°C |
| Pyridoxine HCl/B6 | Balances sebum levels, reduces excessive oiliness | Healthy appearance of hair; increases efficacy of anti-dandruff products | Usage: 0.05-0.3% pH: 5.5-8 Stable in light and oxygen Add at <40°C |
| Biotin/B7/ Vitamin H | Improves the quality of keratin structures, excellent for fine and brittle hair | Usage: 0.5-5% pH: 5.5-8 Stable in light but unstable in oxygen, so use an airless serum dispenser Add at <70°C | |
| Folic Acid/B9 | Combats photoaging, general anti-aging, prevents/repairs DNA damage | Usage: 0.1-0.2% pH: 6.5-8 Stable in oxygen but unstable in light, so use dark container Add at <40°C Add at <40°C |
