Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): What It Is, What It Does, and Is It Safe?

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, and it has real research behind it for skin. Here is what it is, what studies found and what the safety review says.

What is niacinamide?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is one of the water-soluble B vitamins. "Niacin" is the general name for nicotinic acid, nicotinamide (also called niacinamide) and related forms (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements).

On a cosmetic label it is written "Niacinamide," its INCI name (the standard name used on cosmetic ingredient lists). In cosmetics it works mainly as a skin and hair conditioning agent (an ingredient that improves how skin and hair look and feel) (CIR, 2005).

What does niacinamide do in a cream?

Your skin's outer layer holds water in with lipids (natural fats), and ceramides (a type of these fats) are an important part of that barrier (Tanno et al., 2000). In a 2000 study, nicotinamide raised ceramide production in human skin cells grown in the lab. Applied to skin, it raised ceramide and fatty acid levels in the outer layer and lowered transepidermal water loss (the water that escapes through skin) in dry skin (Tanno et al., 2000).

Niacinamide has also been studied for evenness of skin tone. In a 2002 study, a moisturizer with 5 percent niacinamide reduced areas of darker pigment and increased skin lightness compared with the same moisturizer without it, after 4 weeks (Hakozaki et al., 2002).

Studies like these test niacinamide on its own, at set strengths. They show what the ingredient can do, not what any one cream does.

Is niacinamide safe?

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) is the expert panel that reviews the safety of cosmetic ingredients in the U.S. Its 2005 report found niacinamide and niacin safe as used in cosmetics (CIR, 2005).

In human testing, niacinamide caused no stinging at up to 10 percent, and no irritation in use tests at up to 5 percent. It was not a sensitizer (it did not cause an allergic reaction after repeat contact), and it did not make skin react to light (CIR, 2005).

At the time of that review, niacinamide was used at up to 3 percent in body and hand creams and lotions (CIR, 2005).

How to spot niacinamide on a label

Look for "Niacinamide." In research you may see it called nicotinamide (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements). In the U.S., cosmetic ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance, so the ingredient with the most is listed first (FDA Cosmetics Labeling Guide).

Niacinamide is on the Corium 21 label as one of its featured vitamins, along with vitamins A and E. You can see every ingredient on our Corium 21 ingredient list, and read more about the nourishing ingredients in skin care.

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FAQ

Is niacinamide the same as vitamin B3?

Yes. Niacinamide (nicotinamide) is one of the forms of niacin, which is vitamin B3 (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements).

Is niacinamide irritating?

Not at the levels tested. People had no stinging at up to 10 percent and no irritation in use tests at up to 5 percent (CIR, 2005).

What does niacinamide do for dry skin?

In one study, niacinamide applied to skin raised ceramide and fatty acid levels in the outer layer and lowered water loss in dry skin (Tanno et al., 2000).