Niacinamide

📋 Quick facts

Description: Niacinamide — brightening, barrier support.

All Functions: brightening, barrier support

Quick Facts:

• Category: active
• Also Known As: Vitamin B3
• Comedogenic Rating: 0/5

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Niacinamide is an amide form of vitamin B3 that your body cannot store, so it must come from external sources like skincare products
• It works by stabilizing your skin barrier and reducing water loss from the skin
• Research shows it may help with fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, redness, and skin texture
• It’s considered well-tolerated and safe for use in cosmetics across different skin types
• It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Nicotinamide is a white powder. (NTP, 1992) Nicotinamide is a pyridinecarboxamide that is pyridine in which the hydrogen at position 3 is replaced by a carboxamide group. It has a role as a geroprotector, an antioxidant, a cofactor, a metabolite, an EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor, an EC 2.4.2.30 (NAD(+) ADP-ribosyltransferase) inhibitor, a neuroprotective agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, a Sir2 inhibitor, a mouse metabolite, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite and a human urinary metabolite. It is a vitamin B3, a pyridinecarboxamide and a pyridine alkaloid. It is functionally related to a nicotinic acid. An important compound functioning as a component of the coenzyme NAD. Its primary significance is in the prevention and/or cure of blacktongue and pellagra. Most animals cannot manufacture this compound in amounts sufficient to prevent nutritional deficiency and it therefore must be supplemented through dietary intake.

Source(s): ChEBI, CAMEO Chemicals, DrugBank, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

0/5

🛡️ Safety rating

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.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

• Ascorbic Acid (info): Niacinamide and Ascorbic Acid can be used together; older concerns about them destabilizing each other are largely outdated for modern formulations.

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Niacinamide is a hydrophilic (water-loving) substance and an active form of vitamin B3 that works through several mechanisms in the skin (Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2014). Unlike some vitamins, your body doesn’t naturally store niacinamide, so topical application or dietary intake is necessary (Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov, 2021). #1: Barrier function and hydration — Niacinamide stabilizes your skin’s outer layer (the epidermis) by reducing transepidermal water loss, which is when water escapes from deeper skin layers through the surface. It also increases moisture content in the outermost layer of skin, called the stratum corneum or “horny layer” (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2004).

It does this partly by stimulating ceramide synthesis—ceramides are lipids that act like mortar between skin cells (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2004). #2: Appearance of aging skin — A 12-week clinical study with 50 women applying 5% niacinamide to half their face found significant reductions in fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improvements in skin elasticity measured by specialized instruments (Dermatol Surg, 2005). Niacinamide improves surface structure in aging skin and smooths out wrinkles (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2004). #3: Skin tone and pigmentation — Research indicates niacinamide may reduce the appearance of hyperpigmented spots (dark spots) and red blotchiness (Dermatol Surg, 2005).

It also has lightening effects (Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2014) and may help with pigmentary disorders and conditions like melasma (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2004). #4: Redness and inflammation — Niacinamide has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in acne, rosacea, and irritated skin (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2004). It also reduces the appearance of skin sallowness, or yellowing (Dermatol Surg, 2005). #5: Cellular function — At the molecular level, niacinamide increases protein synthesis (including keratin, a structural protein in skin) and speeds up keratinocyte differentiation—the process by which skin cells mature and move toward the surface (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2004). It also raises intracellular levels of NADP, a coenzyme involved in important metabolic processes (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2004).

Niacinamide is widely incorporated into skincare products ranging from cleansers to serums due to its safety profile (Drug Deliv Transl Res, 2024) and is well-tolerated across different skin types (Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov, 2021). However, the sources note that while clinical data are accumulating, existing evidence for some dermatological uses is still emerging and not yet sufficient for definitive scientific evaluation (Skin Pharmacol Physiol, 2014).

📄 Related Research

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

• Wohlrab J et al. (2014). Niacinamide – mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology. Skin Pharmacol Physiol.
• Ong RR et al. (2024). Niacinamide: a review on dermal delivery strategies and clinical evidence. Drug Deliv Transl Res.
• Gehring W (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol.
• Madaan P et al. (2021). Cosmeceutical Aptitudes of Niacinamide: A Review. Recent Adv Antiinfect Drug Discov.
• Bissett DL et al. (2005). Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatol Surg.

📰 Recent News

• Niacinamide/ Co-enzyme Q10 loaded transferosomal gel for anti-aging and enhanced biophysical skin outcome: a split-face clinical study (PubMed)
• A smarter dermal filler: Antimicrobial protection and collagen stimulation with niacinamide (PubMed)

🧴 Products Containing Niacinamide

• Nivea NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Reinigingsgel
• Balea, dm Jeden Tag Shampoo Mango
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf 3 Wetter Taft Power Wax
• shampoo
• 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
• Fa men, Schwarzkopf & Henkel Duschgel Fan edition
• 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
• sebamed Flüssig-Wasch-Emulsion
• Nacomï White Black Face Mask
• Love Beauty and Planet Love Beauty And Planet Déodorant Femme Bille Douceur Huile d’Argan & Lavande Vegan
• Love Beauty and Planet Love Beauty And Planet Déodorant Femme Bille Soin Beurre de Murumuru & Rose Vegan
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Live Silver Shampoo 200ml
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Blonde Blondering Highlights M1
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Blonde Blondering Ultra Lightener L1+
• Farmatodo Mascarilla hidratante nocturna
• Dove,Unilever Dove zero original 50ml
• Head & Shoulders Apple Fresh
• Procter & Gamble Head and Shoulders
• hair biology Revitalize & Soothe
• head & shoulders Anti-roos shampoo + conditioner
• Carrefour Shampooing antipelliculaire intensif Cheveux gras
• Dermaself Night Cream Retinolo
• Istituto elvetico Sanders Enoxyl tonic
• Labcare, Labcare cosmetics Crema viso anti-age
• Deliplus Anti manchas
• Deliplus facial clean
• Deliplus Loción Corporal Hidrata
• Laab MEN Multi-Booster Ultralekki krem nawilżająco-kojący
• Rogé Cavaillès Nutrissance Crème mains Nourrissante