---
title: "Evidence: barrier and pigment modulation"
description: "Topical niacinamide improves multiple signs of facial aging, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, yellowing, and elasticity."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s180.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s180.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s180.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "s180"
journal: "Dermatol Surg"
year: 2005
pmid: "16029679"
doi: "10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Evidence: barrier and pigment modulation

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: barrier and pigment modulation

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s180.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s180

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Dermatol Surg |
| Year | 2005 |
| PMID | [16029679](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16029679/) |
| DOI | [10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732) |
| Study key | s180 |

## Takeaway

Topical niacinamide improves multiple signs of facial aging, including wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, redness, yellowing, and elasticity.

## The question

What are the effects of topical niacinamide on skin appearance and properties, specifically wrinkles, yellowing, and elasticity?

## Hypothesis

Topical niacinamide will improve the appearance of aging facial skin, including reductions in fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and will improve elasticity.

## Methods

Fifty female white subjects with facial photoaging applied 5% niacinamide to half of their face and a vehicle control to the other half twice daily for 12 weeks. The study was double-blind and left-right randomized. Facial images and instrumental measures were taken at baseline and every 4 weeks.

## Results

Topical niacinamide significantly reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness (yellowing). Skin elasticity, measured by cutometry, also improved.

## Conclusion

Topical niacinamide provides additional benefits beyond previously observed effects, including improved appearance of skin wrinkles and yellowing, and improved elasticity.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> reductions in fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots and skin sallowness

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Serum | Moderate evidence | [Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/180.md) |

## Reference

1. **Evidence: barrier and pigment modulation**
   Dermatol Surg 2005 · [PMID 16029679](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16029679/) · [DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732)

   > reductions in fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots and skin sallowness

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/180.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [The clinical anti-aging effects of topical kinetin and niacinamide in Asians: a…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d18047609.md)
- [Topical Niacinamide Combined with Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing: A Double-blind…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d39171587.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).