RIBOFLAVIN

Description: RIBOFLAVIN — vitamin B2, antioxidant support.

All Functions: vitamin B2, antioxidant support

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a water-soluble vitamin your body cannot make, so you need it from food or supplements
• It powers your cells’ energy production and helps maintain antioxidant defenses
• Your body excretes excess riboflavin in urine, which is why it turns yellow—a sign you’re getting enough
• Deficiency can cause fatigue, mouth sores, skin issues, and anemia
• Riboflavin may play a protective role against psoriasis, especially in people over 40

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🧪 RIBOFLAVIN

RIBOFLAVIN

CAS Number: 83-88-5

Also Known As: —

Category: active

EC Number: 201-507-1

Riboflavin

RIBOFLAVIN is an active ingredient used in skincare formulations.

🌍 Regulatory Status

📊 Comedogenicity

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Riboflavin works inside your cells by transforming into two active compounds called flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). These act as cofactors—essentially helper molecules that allow enzymes to do their jobs (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026; NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, 2024). Specifically, riboflavin enables your mitochondria (your cells’ energy factories) to produce ATP, the universal energy currency your body runs on, while also maintaining healthy redox balance—the chemical equilibrium that prevents oxidative damage (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026). #1: Energy and cellular function. Riboflavin is essential for the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain, both critical pathways for ATP production (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026).

It also supports detoxification and electron scavenging pathways (NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, 2024). #2: Skin, hair, and mucous membrane health. Beyond energy, riboflavin contributes to maintaining the health of these tissues (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026). Interestingly, riboflavin deficiency may impair skin collagen maturity due to conditioned deficiency of other B vitamins like B6 (Indian J Med Res, 1998). #3: Possible psoriasis protection. Emerging evidence links adequate riboflavin status to a lower risk of psoriasis, particularly in individuals older than 40 years. Research has found that psoriatic skin shows upregulated riboflavin metabolism, suggesting the body may need more riboflavin to manage this condition (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026).

#4: Immune function. Riboflavin supports immune function through its role in antioxidant defenses and energy metabolism (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026). What happens when you don’t get enough? Deficiency causes mucocutaneous manifestations—mouth sores (cheilosis, angular stomatitis, glossitis) and dermatitis—plus normocytic anemia, fatigue, and neuromuscular symptoms (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026). Severe or prolonged deficiency may lead to neurologic or ocular metabolic abnormalities and reduced physical performance (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026). Importantly, riboflavin deficiency can also cause a secondary deficiency in vitamin B6 and niacin (B3), disrupting other metabolic pathways (Peer-reviewed journal, 2026). Your riboflavin status isn’t determined by diet alone. Respiratory infections, certain diseases, drugs, and hormones can modify how your body uses riboflavin (Indian J Med Res, 1998).

Additionally, riboflavin demands increase during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and hormonal fluctuations in women’s menstrual cycles (NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, 2024). Physical activity also appears to increase riboflavin requirements (Indian J Med Res, 1998). On an emerging research front, riboflavin’s photosensitizing properties—meaning it responds to light—make it a candidate for photodynamic therapy applications in dermatology, though research on effectiveness is ongoing (Cells, 2023).

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

🧴 Products Containing RIBOFLAVIN

• Dm,das gesunde Plus Multivitamin
• Mirvolis DM, Mivolis, dm Magnesium-Citrat Granulat 20 Beutel
• LoveBar Shampoo Bar Detox & Sebum control
• Babaria Aceite protector monoi
• Performans Enerji İçeceği, Bim Performans Enerji İçeceği
• Spring Valley Women’s Multi With Fruits & Vegetables
• beaches and creme black
• FILORGA TIME-FILLER Crème Absolue Correction Rides
• OleHenriksen,Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer
• Fresh & Easy Cornbread
• Filorga Filorga Hydra Filler 50ML
• Dietaroma Dermideal Complexe Zinc Bardane – 30 Comprimés – Dietaroma
• ACM Novophane Ongles Et Cheveux
• Natural Mojo Skin beauty
• SciFit Hydro Lemon
• Orkla sanasol Vitamin C
• iron and vitaminas
• Kendamil Banana Oatmeal
• Apokra APOKRA Breastfeeding Vegan
• e-raorganics elixir

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Sina RE et al. (2026). Riboflavin Deficiency. a peer-reviewed journal.
• Insińska-Rak M et al. (2023). Riboflavin and Its Derivates as Potential Photosensitizers in the Photodynamic Treatment of Skin Cancers. Cells.
• Dricot CEMK et al. (2024). Riboflavin for women’s health and emerging microbiome strategies. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes.
• You J et al. (2021). Microbial production of riboflavin: Biotechnological advances and perspectives. Metab Eng.
• Lakshmi AV (1998). Riboflavin metabolism–relevance to human nutrition. Indian J Med Res.