Discovering the Ingredients that Make SkinPhD Unique
Niacinamide and Prickly Ash Bark
The SkinPhD commitment to quality skin care means we must choose ingredients of merit that result in positive changes in the skin’s appearance while remaining soothing, balancing, and healthy for the skin. Prickly Ash Bark and Niacinamide are two unique ingredients you will find in our formulations for just these reasons. Prickly Ash Bark is a component of many of our products, and Niacinamide is the key ingredient in our Pigmentation Control serum.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide possesses skin hydrating, lightening, and anti-aging properties. It has also been shown to have a positive effect on breakout and acne prone skin. Niacinamide is one of two principle forms of Vitamin B3. It is better tolerated than its counterpart niacin and does not produce the well-known “niacin flush”. It is stable in heat and light and remains efficacious in formulated products. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the fantastic benefits of this skin improving agent!
Niacinamide as a Skin Lightener
As a skin lightening agent, niacinamide effectively reduces areas of uneven pigmentation and age spots. Niacinamide does not inhibit melanin production but instead inhibits the transfer of melansomes to the surrounding cells. Because of its strong lightening capabilities and its gentle, soothing nature on the skin, niacinamide is an excellent solution to pigmentation control without the negative side effects commonly associated with many other skin lightening agents. You can find niacinamide in our specialty treatment, Pigmentation Control.
Niacinamide and Skin Hydration
In order for the skin to be soft, supple, well-hydrated and radiant, the skin’s barrier must be in a healthy condition. Several classifications of lipids including ceramides and fatty acids are integral components of the skin barrier. These lipids work to maintain skin vitality by holding water in the tissue. When these important lipids are damaged or not present in sufficient volume, the result is skin that may rapidly dehydrate in a process called trans-epidermal water loss or “TEWL”. Dehydration results in poor skin texture and a lifeless complexion. Long-term dehydration of the skin may lead to damage in the deeper skin layers resulting in loss of skin firmness and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Damaged or missing ceramides and fatty acids are also linked with increased sensitivity, irritation, and redness.
Niacinamide works to increase ceramide and fatty acid levels in the skin thereby increasing hydration levels. The end result is skin that is softer, smoother, and less prone to irritation, redness, and sensitivity.
Niacinamide and Aging Skin
As the skin ages, collagen and elastin become damaged and deteriorated. These losses lead to skin laxity, fine lines, and deep wrinkles. By increasing the activity of fibroblasts (cells that produce collagen and elastin fibers), niacinamide is an effective component in anti-aging regimens.
Prickly Ash Bark (Zanthoxylum Americanum)
The Prickly Ash tree was known to the Native Americans as the Toothache Tree because of its use in treating tooth aches. The bark of this tree contains potent wound-healing, stimulating, pain-relieving, and detoxifying properties. With a long history of use amongst Native American cultures, Prickly Ash also became a tool in the treatment of joint pain, arthritis, and poor circulation. Today, Prickly Ash bark is still used to improve these conditions and has been found to improve a number of skin conditions due to its excellent wound-healing properties.
Skin Protecting Properties of Prickly Ash Bark
- Pain reliever
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiseptic
- Stimulates circulation and lymphatic flow
- Wound healing
You will find Prickly Ash bark in our Cleansing Lotion, Skin Tonic, Day Care Lotion, Night Care Cream, Breakout Control Gel, Lip Treatment Cream, and Moisture Maintenance.
For more information on our clinically-endorsed range of products and our signature therapies, please visit www.skinphd.com.