Skin Care Review: Metazene 5% Topical Niacinamide

Metazene is 5% topical niacinamide (a B vitamin derivative) in an aloe vera gel. I began using this about 3 months ago twice a day. My skin has been oily and acne-prone since my early twenties, and I was willing to try anything short of Accutane. I had seen some improvement with the use of oral antibiotics but did not want to continue those for health reasons. Oral birth control pills also helped my acne, but my skin was still extremely oily and prone to breakouts. So I stuck with the oral bc and added Metazene to my regimen.

After about 3 or 4 weeks, I began to notice that my skin was less oily. This was true even in the heat of summer. By now, my skin is far less oily, and I don't even carry around blotting papers with me anymore!

Please note that I am using Zovia (the bc) in conjunction with the Metazene, so my results could be from the combination. However, I do credit the Metazene because I have tried oral bc before and never seen such improvement, and now, if I get lazy and stop applying the Metazene, I can tell my skin doesn't look as fresh as when I do.

By the way, aloe vera gel, according to what I've read, is a transdermal carrier, so it carries the niacinamide into the skin. And, it's soothing!