Frequently Asked Questions about Nicomenthyl

Nicomenthyl compared to other niacin derivates

They are completely different substances, with completely different molecular structures:

metil nicotinato

Methyl nicotinate

mentil nicotinato

Menthyl nicotinate

Methyl nicotinate is a very strong vasodilating agent and can be in some cases highly irritating to the skin even at very low concentrations (0.1% or less). Menthyl nicotinate (Nicomenthyl) effectively enhances skin microcirculation without causing bothersome hyperemia or irritations, on the contrary it generates a pleasant hot-cold sensation in the area of application.

Niacinamide (also called Nicotinamide), although it is considered another form of Vitamin B3, has a different chemical structure than nicotinic acid. It is a derivative of nicotinic acid, chemically named amide of nicotinic acid:

niacina

Niacin or nicotinic acid

niacinamide

Nicotinamide or Niacinamide

No. Niacinamide, unlike Nicomenthyl 20, has no vasodilating activity, is not a microcirculation enhancer, because it barely permeates the stratum corneum layer of the skin (Sara et al., 2008), and its skin absorption is not effective enough to reach the microcirculation of the dermis, as per the graph shown below.

Niacinamide Skin Microcirculation

No. Being Niacinamide hydrosoluble, its dermal penetration is hindered by the skin lipid bilayer (hydrophobic) and is not effective enough because it barely permeates the stratum corneum layer of the skin (Sara et al., 2008). From in vivo studies*, the Niacinamide’s absorption rate in 24h is only 2.2% of the initially applied dose, i.e. a very poor amount if compared to the actual quantity of Vitamin B3 released, in 24 hours, through the skin, by Menthyl nicotinate: 18% of the applied dose.
This means that Nicomenthyl 20 delivers 8 times more Vit. B3 than does Niacinamide, as per the graph shown below.

*Absorption of some organic compounds through the skin in man, by Robert J. Feldmann and Howard J. Maibach - The Journal of Investigative Dermatology – © 1970 The Williams & Wilkins Co.

Graphic Nicotinamide Nicomenthyl Skin Penetration

No, Nicomenthyl 20 is not a whitening agent. On the contrary, it tends to increase cutaneous pigmentation (melanin), while effectively preventing and protecting the skin against UVA and UVB rays damages.

Yes, certainly. There is no incompatibility between these two substances.

Because it ensures the highest and fastest delivery of Vitamin B3 with no skin irritation or sensitization, as thoroughly documented by several safety and efficacy tests.

Skin penetration