German based chemicals company Daiichi has claims the new vitamin, called Panadoxine P, contains the same therapeutic properties as the original B6, but has more stable qualities indicating it is ideally suited for use in cosmetic products.
Vitamin B6 is vital for the body and plays an important role in the metabolism of proteins, whilst also acting as a coenzyme in the metabolism of fats.
However, deficiency of this vitamin can cause cosmetic problems such as hair loss and skin inflammation.
Topical preparations that have been created to combat these issues have included vitamin B6 ingredients such as pyridoxine hydrochloride (PN).
However, these have poor light stability and therefore are prone to causing skin irritants -the main reason why the use of vitamin B6 in cosmetics has proved controversial in the past.
However, as Panadoxine P is a pro form of Vitamin B6, released as Vitamin B6 by internal enzymes such as phosphatese, it is a stable and reliable source for hair and skin care, said to be able to 'penetrate through the first skin layers and evolves its vitamin-activity to improve skin damages'.
The company maintained the B6 derivative in stable conditions in compositions such as medicaments, foodstuffs and feeds, and has now began to market it as a key cosmetics ingredient that can fight ailments such as skin roughness, acne and sunburn.
A recent report from Frost and Sullivan, US Vitamin B Market, showed the B vitamin is thought highly of in the US, stating that nutricosmetics and cosmeceuticals are areas showing significant potential for future growth.
For instance, B vitamins have been show to help promote healthy skin, hair and nails; and niacinamide has been recognised for its anti-aging potential.
Frost and Sullivan researched the European vitamin B marketing in 2005, valuing it at US$534.1m (€407.3m) and estimating an increase of more than 100 per cent to $1.16bn (€884m) by 2012.