Niacinamide leave-on formulation provides long-lasting protection against bacteria in vivo.
Mathapathi. Mruthyunjaya Swamy MS; Mallemalla. Prathyusha P; Vora. Shilpa S; Iyer. Vidula V; Tiwari. Jyoti Kumar JK; Chakrabortty. Amit A; Majumdar. Amitabha A
Key Findings
- Niacinamide increases levels of antimicrobial peptides such as LL‑37 in skin cells
- In mice, topical niacinamide reduced skin bacterial infections
- A leave‑on niacinamide formulation provided long‑lasting antibacterial protection
Practical Outcomes
- Apply a 2‑5% niacinamide serum or cream after cleansing and leave it on the skin; this simple step may enhance your skin’s innate immunity and lower infection risk from minor cuts, acne, or exposure to microbes. No special equipment is needed, making it an easy addition to a daily skin‑care routine.
Summary
A leave‑on skin product with niacinamide (a common cosmetic ingredient) can boost the skin’s natural antimicrobial peptides, including LL‑37, and give lasting protection against bacteria, as shown in mouse studies. This means you can potentially strengthen your skin’s defense by using a niacinamide serum or cream daily without rinsing it off.
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) form a part of the skin's innate immune system. Their primary activity is to provide antimicrobial benefits and hence protect from infections. AMPs that are present on human skin include psoriasin (S100A7), RNase 7, lysozyme, LL-37 and defensins. Niacinamide is a well-known cosmetic ingredient that has been used traditionally for multiple skin benefits. Recent data indicate that niacinamide treatment can boost AMPs in human gut epithelial cells and in neutrophils. Treatment with niacinamide in mice also provided protection from skin infections by enhancing AMPs. In this article, we find that treatment with niacinamide formulation provides long-lasting protection against bacteria, potentially through the activation of an AMP response.
Study Information
pubmed
2017
2017-04-11T00:00:00.000Z
10.1111/exd.13285
16
7