Do I need a B-Complex?
Update - The new Clear5 formula no longer includes competing B-vitamins, as we’ve found these can negatively effect the results of vitamin B5. A B-complex is recommended for long-term users of any B5 treatment, but the fact still remains that you do not need a dosage equivalent to your B5 dosage, this dosage of other B-vitamins is unnecessary.
I realized I haven’t updated a few sections of Acne Vitamins since making the switch to Clear5, and this can lead to some confusion over whether a B-complex supplement is still recommended for long term users. While All-in-1 did not include any B vitamins other than B5, this is not really a problem with Clear5. Clear5 has an ample supple of the supporting B vitamins, as well as biotin and zinc which are also recommended for long-term vitamin B5 users. With these supporting ingredients, there simply isn’t much need for an additional B-complex, as you’ll already be getting over 100% of most of the B-vitamin group.
There are a few vitamins that are not present in the formula, most notably vitamin B12. However, the amount of vitamin B12 recommended for your daily value is so small that it’s really not even worth including (Recommended daily value is only 2.4-6 mcg, depending on the source). Most multivitamins include well over 100% of your RDV for B12 (mine includes 300%, and it’s a generic Walmart brand). Basically, if it’s not in Clear5, you’ll probably have no problem at all getting it either in your diet or via a typical multivitamin. The multivitamin I use right now is the Pro Source brand, and it easily covers all the bases. Keep in mind that you do not need to take as much of the other B-vitamins as you do with B5. You should merely make sure that your body absorbs at least 100% of your daily value for these other vitamins.
If you want to be sure you get the absolute highest rate of absorbance when you take your daily multivitamin, make sure to take it by itself - not alongside a variety of other vitamins. Certain vitamins compete for absorbance by the limited amount of receptors in your stomach, and by spreading out your doses it helps to ensure each pill has the best chance to show its full effects. This is also one of the benefits of time-released pills, in that they resist being broken down inefficiently within the stomach and are instead metabolized within the small intestines, which provide for more efficient metabolism.
