Review (5/5): Better Than I Hoped For
I purchased this B3 gel in desperation. I am 70 years old, have rosacea, facial eczema, and rosacea-related acne, redness and sensitivity, and very congested pores. Also, the age-related sagging and wrinkling that most women have. My complexion was very nice when I was younger, so all these problems have been challenging to say the least. Most creams, etc. make me break out or redden. A rosacea website suggested B3. In the past, I used a B3 cream which made me break out badly from the added coconut oil to which I am very sensitive. However, this brand has fewer ingredients, no penetrants to inflame my eczema, and comes well-reviewed. It was also not terribly expensive. Most web reviewers note one must use B3 10% faithfully for three months to get full benefits. On the third day of use, however, I noted the redness of my facial skin subsiding, including my acne scars. By the end of seven days, my pores appeared smaller, even on my nose, and the overactive sebum glands in my T-Zone were shrinking. White heads were either coming to the surface and easily extracted after a shower, or shrinking below the skin. I started using this on my neck and noted increasing firmness (which I badly need). I am not much concerned with wrinkles, as I had oily skin until menopause, and have not yet noticed any difference. Because this gel is thick, I first spray with a non-alcohol toner, and then put one or two drops on my fingers and spray three times with the toner before applying. This amount covers my whole face, neck and eye area. I then apply a lightweight moisturizer after the B-3gel has sunk in. At first, I only did this one time a day There is a very tiny bit of flaking from this gel--it is drying a little. That, I think, is why the acne scars improve. However, this flaking is not noticeable after I apply the moisturizer. I can use mineral powder makeup with no difficulty. I now use the B3 two times a day. The Zinc in this gel appears to prevent my acne from forming like any antibiotic. I will have an undersign cyst begin to form, but by the next day it is gone. I plan to keep using this product and have ordered oral B3 vitamins, also, but have not yet begun taking them. I feel I must be deficient in this vitamin to have such a positive response topically. I should add that I usually have to take extra oral zinc when I break out badly, because I had a bad, life-threatening staph infection six years ago. The breakouts I have from rosacea often become infected now and scar badly. This Topical treatment, however, means I no longer have to take zinc orally, which is much better for my system. I hope this very detailed review helps someone else who suffers from demagogical problems as I do. PS: I also may begin using this gel on the tops of my hands at night, under my hand cream, just to see if my aging skin improves there, too. Retin A appears to thin my skin, but this B3 seems to thicken the protective layer even when the gel is not applied. Try it!! UPDATE: April 19, 2019. I am on my third or fourth bottle, buying them now for friends. I regret this review is so long, but so afraid the company will go out of business since their founder died. These are wonderful formulations--especially this one. I've not found anything as effective at any price. Started using the caffeine eye gel last night and saw a difference immediately.