Niacinamide, chemically known as pyridine-3-carboxamide, has shown several benefits for skin health and protection when topically applied, making it a commonly used ingredient to hydrate dry skin and control breakouts in acne prone skin.
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Niacinamide, chemically known as pyridine-3-carboxamide, has shown several benefits for skin health and protection when topically applied, making it a commonly used ingredient to hydrate dry skin and control breakouts in acne prone skin.
Despite its common usage, niacinamide’s physiochemical properties can make it difficult for the chemical to surpass the skin barrier and reach the target in the skin. Drug delivery systems have been developed to help overcome that issue and ensure a more targeted delivery, namely liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles
and microneedles.
Bicomide is a delivery system that provides targeted delivery of niacinamide to the epidermis and follicles. With a more targeted delivery, Bicomide can help control the production of sebum, equilibrate the microbiome, reduce the size of pores and improve the appearance of acne prone skin. Bicomide also decreases the population of Cutibacterium acnes on the skin surface, promoting a cleaning effect on acne prone skin.
Bicomide is composed of two lipid assemblies: internal smart discs that carry the active ingredient and an external lipid vesicle enclosing the discs, thereby double encapsulating the active ingredient.
“The vesicle delivers the smart discs to the skin, which then pass through the narrow intercellular spaces of the stratum corneum and reach the targeted skin layer, where the active ingredient is released,” said the team at Ultra Chemical. “Smart discs are designed to reach specific skin layers where the active ingredient needs to be by tailoring the affinity of the smart discs with the environment of the target skin layers.”
Bicomide is a product of Bicosome, a biotechnology company based in Barcelona, Spain. Ultra Chemical is the North American distributor for the product. It has 88% natural origin, with no hazardous reactions known under normal conditions of use. It can be used in product types like anti-shine serums, sebum control lotions, soothing essences, purifying masks and anti-pimple sticks. The recommended concentration level is 1-3%.
A 30-day clinical study cited by Ultra Chemical that analyzed 20 volunteers using twice daily application of a gel formulation containing 3% Bicomide demonstrated efficacy against different forms of compromised skin without causing other skin complications.
Bicomide can provide a targeted delivery of niacinamide by using the Bicosome patented platform for skin delivery that interacts biomimetically with the skin, following its natural processes to target the epidermis and follicles. The bicosome structure boosts the affects by strengthening skin barrier function, which plays an important role in the equilibrium of the microbiome, according to the company.
Bicomide contains water, lecithin, niacinamide, lysolecithin, phenethyl alcohol, caprylhydroxamic acid, tocopheryl acetate, caprylyl glycol and phytic acid. The product should be stored in a dry cool place that is protected from life. Storing it at 8˚ Celsius can further improve its shelf life. It is recommended to refrain from eating or drinking while handling the product. 
