NIACIN

Description: NIACIN — vitamin B3 precursor form, circulation support (distinct from Niacinamide).

All Functions: vitamin B3 precursor form, circulation support (distinct from Niacinamide)

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Niacin and niacinamide are two forms of vitamin B3 used in skincare products
• Niacinamide is found in around 30 cosmetic formulations at concentrations ranging from 0.0001% to 3%
• Both ingredients are considered safe for use in cosmetics at current concentration levels
• Niacinamide is not a skin irritant, sensitizer, or photosensitizer in clinical testing
• Niacin deficiency (pellagra) is rare in industrialized nations but can occur with chronic alcoholism or malabsorption

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.

🧪 NIACIN

NIACIN

CAS Number: 59-67-6

Also Known As: —

Category: active

EC Number: 200-441-0

Korean Name: 나이아신

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid

NIACIN is an active ingredient used in skincare formulations.

🌍 Regulatory Status

📊 Comedogenicity

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Niacin and niacinamide are two chemically distinct forms of vitamin B3, though they’re often confused. Niacin is also called nicotinic acid, while niacinamide goes by nicotinamide (Int J Toxicol, 2005; Skinmed, 2023). In cosmetics, both function primarily as conditioning agents for hair and skin (Int J Toxicol, 2005). #1: Safety profile — Clinical testing shows niacinamide produces no stinging sensation at concentrations up to 10%, no irritation in use tests up to 5%, and no cumulative irritation at 5% over 21 days. It is not a sensitizer or photosensitizer (Int J Toxicol, 2005). Both ingredients are considered safe as used in cosmetics, with the Panel noting that doses in animal studies were high relative to the low concentrations actually used in skincare products (Int J Toxicol, 2005).

#2: Absorption and metabolism — Both niacin and niacinamide are readily absorbed from skin, blood, and the intestines and widely distributed throughout the body. They are primarily excreted through the urinary tract (Int J Toxicol, 2005). #3: Potential roles in skin health — Research suggests niacinamide may promote epidermal sphingolipid synthesis, moderate photoimmunosuppression, and help reduce hyperpigmentation (Skinmed, 2023). Niacin in its NAD form participates in DNA repair and genomic stability processes (Nutr Cancer, 2003), though the clinical relevance of these cellular mechanisms to topical skincare use remains unclear from these sources. #4: Historical context — Pellagra, a disease caused by severe niacin deficiency, was first documented in Italy in the 1700s.

The disease became common in the early 1900s American South due to limited dietary niacin sources. Today it is rare in industrialized nations but can occur with chronic alcoholism, malabsorption syndrome, or anorexia nervosa (Skin Therapy Lett, 2020; abstract from peer-reviewed journal, 2026). #5: Availability and clinical use — Nicotinamide is recognized as a low-cost, evidence-based oral treatment option for certain skin conditions including actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinomas, though integration into clinical practice remains ongoing (Skin Therapy Lett, 2020). However, the sources provided do not detail topical efficacy for these conditions or typical skincare benefits.

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

🧴 Products Containing NIACIN

• Nivea NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Reinigingsgel
• shampoo
• Balea, dm Jeden Tag Shampoo Mango
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf 3 Wetter Taft Power Wax
• Fa men, Schwarzkopf & Henkel Duschgel Fan edition
• Henkel, Schauma Repair & Pflege Shampoo mit Kokos-Extrakt
• Always, Procter & Gamble Night Always sensitive
• Essence I love flaw less skin
• Aroma zone Sérum Niacinamide 10%, cuivre & zinc
• sebamed Flüssig-Wasch-Emulsion
• Rossmann Urea Fussbad
• Elkos for Men Gesichtscreme
• Hairwell, EUCO, SERPOL-COSMETICS 7-Kräuter-Shampoo
• BCL Kansosan Skincare Moisture Base AQ
• clear nen
• Zollider Zollider
• Natura Siberica Conditioning spray
• inecto naturals
• Tiger Moon Retinol Night Cream
• Laab MEN Multi-Booster Ultralekki krem nawilżająco-kojący

📄 Related Research

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

• Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (2005). Final report of the safety assessment of niacinamide and niacin. Int J Toxicol.
• Huber R et al. (2020). Nicotinamide: An Update and Review of Safety & Differences from Niacin. Skin Therapy Lett.
• Redzic S et al. (2026). Niacin Deficiency. a peer-reviewed journal.
• Kirkland JB (2003). Niacin and carcinogenesis. Nutr Cancer.
• Epstein H (2023). A Second Look at Niacin. Skinmed.