Vitamin B12: Origin, Benefits and Uses.

Profile: Vitamin B12

Commonly known as: Vitamin B12, cobalamin.

I.N.C.I. list name: Cyanocobalamin.

Extraction process: Bacterial fermentation of corn syrup.

Source: Biotechnological.

Botanical name: /

Family: /

Extracted part of the plant: /

Origin, provenance: Switzerland.

Chemical properties: Molar mass: 1,579.6 g/mol; Soluble in water; Insoluble in fats; pH between 3.5 and 7.5.

Properties: Emulsion, gel, true aqueous solution.

Required dosage in cosmetic products: Recommended dosage: between 0.001% and 0.1%.

Function: Skin maintenance agent.

Specificities: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, soothing, healing, illuminating, regenerative.

Benefits: All skin types, especially irritated skin; All hair types, particularly in cases of hair loss.

Properties

Anti-inflammatory: Soothing irritated skin by reducing the activation of the inflammasome and decreasing histamine;
Antioxidant: To limit oxidative damage and prevent premature skin ageing by stabilising free radicals through electron donation, thanks to its chemical structure rich in double bonds, and by activating certain antioxidant molecules (glutathione);
Regenerative: Promotes the formation of granulation tissue by stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts and angiogenesis.

Contraindications, Usage Precautions

Suitable for all skin types, vitamin B12 is considered a safe ingredient, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, rare cases of skin reactions have been reported, manifesting as redness. Therefore, as one is not immune to a skin reaction, it is strongly advised to test the product on a small part of the body before any widespread application.

In its stable form, cyanocobalamin, also known as vitamin B12 or cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for many bodily processes (red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids, and neuron function). It has a chemical structure similar to heme, but with a cobalt atom in place of the central iron atom. Naturally found in the liver, oily fish, eggs, seaweed, and dairy products, it also offers additional benefits in the skincare and haircare sector. Topical vitamin B12 is primarily known and used as a natural colourant with its pink hue to promote a radiant complexion, but it also provides daily benefits to the skin such as increasing collagen production, regulating skin inflammatory responses, neutralising free radicals, and reducing the proportions of pathogenic bacteria in the skin microbiome.