Niacinamide Shown to Increase Tolerance and Effectiveness of Topical Retinoid Therapy

While retinoid (Vitamin A) therapies are among the most effective topical anti-aging treatments available, they can irritate or damage the skin's barrier and therefore are not fully utilized. P&G Beauty scientists found that if the skin's barrier could be strengthened, retinoid treatments could be more widely utilized. In a recently published paper (Draelos et al Cutis 2066;78:275-281) P&G Beauty reports results showing that the addition of niacinamide-containing moisturizer (which has barrier-building properties) to tretinoin (concentration of .025 percent) therapy improves anti-aging results and patient tolerance.

In the 10-week randomized, split-face clinical trial, 40 female subjects applied blind-coded moisturizers with and without niacinamide for a 2-week preconditioning period and during an 8-week retinoid treatment period. Significant improvements in investigator-assessed skin texture were observed, including a reduced appearance of fine lines after the treatment period (p<0.01) for the niacinamide leg vs. the control. Additionally noted was reduced skin dryness and irritation in the niacinamide study leg (p<0.05).