Can a topical niacinamide formulation, alone or combined with 5 MHz unfocused ultrasound (5-US), improve signs of skin aging?
Curr Med Chem · 2025 · PMID 39171587 · DOI 10.2174/0109298673325125240813075250
A topical niacinamide formulation improved skin hydration and reduced sebum, with subjective benefits in appearance, firmness, and wrinkles, especially when combined with ultrasound.
The question
Can a topical niacinamide formulation, alone or combined with 5 MHz unfocused ultrasound (5-US), improve signs of skin aging?
What they tested
A topical formulation with niacinamide, especially when combined with facial application of unfocused 5-US, will improve signs of skin aging.
How they did it
Sixty-seven women aged 30-60 with aged skin were randomized into four groups: (A) placebo formulation, (B) cosmetic formulation (with niacinamide), (C) placebo formulation plus 5-US, and (D) cosmetic formulation plus 5-US. Groups C and D received eight weekly 20-minute 5-US sessions. Clinical, instrumental, and subjective assessments were conducted at baseline (T0) and week eight (T8).
What they found
The niacinamide formulation improved stratum corneum aqueous content and reduced transepidermal water loss. Sebum reduction was observed in groups using the niacinamide formulation. Consumer evaluations indicated improvements in appearance, firmness, elasticity, and reduced wrinkles, particularly in Groups C and D. Sensory analysis showed overall product acceptability.
What it means
The niacinamide formulation improved skin hydration and reduced sebum content, and subjective evaluations indicated qualitative improvements in skin appearance. While 5-US alone did not show instrumental improvements, the combined approach suggests potential synergies for anti-aging interventions.
Limitations
The study suggests that protocol adjustments and longer study periods might be needed for 5-US to show instrumental improvements.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Topical Niacinamide Combined with Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing: A Double-blind Randomised Placebo-controlled Study |
|---|---|
| Journal | Curr Med Chem |
| Year | 2025 |
| PMID | 39171587 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.2174/0109298673325125240813075250 ↗ |
| Topic | Skin, hair & photoaging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
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Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Serum
Randomized, mostly split-face trials indicate that topical niacinamide can modestly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, sallowness and skin elasticity, while strengthening the skin barrier and reducing transepidermal water loss.
Niacinamide (nicotinamide) is the amide form of vitamin B3 and a precursor of the cellular cofactors…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Can a topical niacinamide formulation, alone or combined with 5 MHz unfocused ultrasound (5-US), improve signs of skin aging? [Plain-English summary of Curr Med Chem 2025, PMID 39171587, DOI 10.2174/0109298673325125240813075250]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d39171587.html@misc{magellan_d39171587,
title = {Can a topical niacinamide formulation, alone or combined with 5 MHz unfocused ultrasound (5-US), improve signs of skin aging?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d39171587.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 39171587; DOI 10.2174/0109298673325125240813075250; Curr Med Chem 2025. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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