Vitamin B12, most commonly used in skincare as cyanocobalamin, is best known as an essential dietary nutrient, but a topical form has also been studied for calming inflamed, irritated skin.
In a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial, people with atopic dermatitis who applied a vitamin B12 cream twice daily for several weeks saw meaningful improvement in their eczema severity scores compared to those using a placebo cream.
Researchers believe topical vitamin B12 may work partly by reducing nitric oxide, a molecule involved in triggering inflammation in skin. Separate research has also found it helpful as an add on treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis when paired with a standard emollient.
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) References
Topical Vitamin B12, A New Therapeutic Approach in Atopic Dermatitis, Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability in a Randomized Placebo Controlled Multicentre Clinical Trial, British Journal of Dermatology, 2004
Superiority of a Vitamin B12 Containing Emollient Compared to a Standard Emollient in the Maintenance Treatment of Mild to Moderate Plaque Psoriasis, Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
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Reliable, well tolerated ingredients that do their job without complaint. They may not carry the headline benefits of a Best rated active, but they hydrate, stabilize a formula, or support the ingredients around them in ways that make a real difference in how a product performs and feels.
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Ingredients with documented potential to irritate skin, disrupt the barrier, or trigger sensitization in some users, often synthetic fragrance, drying forms of alcohol, or certain essential oils. Not automatically a dealbreaker for every skin type, but worth knowing about before you commit to a product.
