Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12 occasionally included in topical skincare formulations, where it may serve as a coloring agent (imparting a pink-red hue) or as a conditioning additive. Some research has explored topical B12 for inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin irritation or redness | Rare | Mild, transient local reactions occasionally reported with topical application. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated sensitization cases described in the literature. |
Temporary skin staining | Uncommon | Due to the inherent pink-red color of the compound, especially at higher concentrations. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.