Vitamin B12 – more than just a colourant

ABSTRACT

Vitamins in cosmetics are always a popular choice with consumers. Post-pandemic, demand for them is growing as they are seen as both a healthy and eco-conscious way to enhance skin appearance and feel. In response to this demand, DSM has been using its expertise in vitamins to explore the potential of vitamin B12. Although this pink ingredient is often used as a colourant, earlier studies have shown that topical vitamin B12 can help relieve symptoms of atopic dermatitis. In view of this, we have begun investigating further to see if it can help relieve and protect against sensitive skin symptoms more generally. Here, we outline three studies involving our own cosmetic form of vitamin B12 (INCI: Cyanocobalamin, commercial name Vitamin B12 Cryst), which is produced through a biotech process involving non-GMO bacterial fermentation. We present ex vivo and in vitro evidence of our ingredient’s potential to relieve sensitive, irritated skin and to protect the skin barrier from damage by inflammatory processes.

Vitamins in cosmetic form are highly trusted with consumers, who strongly associate them with protection, health, and nature. In the world of personal care, some vitamins are better known and feature more frequently in products than others