The amide form of vitamin B3, used as a skin-conditioning ingredient in skincare.
Sources: 2Nicotinamide, Vitamin B3, Pyridine-3-carboxamide
Not assessed
The references in this record have not been evaluated for a pregnancy-specific recommendation.
Some supporting studies
Niacinamide
What it does
Used in conditioning formulas. A controlled study found improvements in the appearance of photoaged skin with a 5% formulation; that result does not establish the performance of every niacinamide product.
Sources: 3Good for
- Appearance of photoaged skin
- Uneven-looking pigmentation
How to use it
Use conditions differ by product. The cited facial study tested a 5% formulation twice daily for 12 weeks; this is study context, not a universal dosage instruction.
Sources: 3Who should be careful
Tolerance depends on the complete formulation. Safety testing reported good skin tolerance under the conditions studied; this does not rule out individual reactions.
Sources: 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Nicotinamide participates in NAD and NADP coenzymes. Its biochemical role alone does not demonstrate a clinical effect from a particular topical product.
Sources: 1Potential adverse effects
The safety assessment describes some formulations as marginally irritating to the eyes. Findings from one tested formulation cannot be applied to every finished product.
Sources: 2Formulation considerations
Concentration, vehicle and application schedule matter when interpreting research. The cited trial compared a 5% preparation with its vehicle control.
Sources: 3Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
The references in this record have not been evaluated for a pregnancy-specific recommendation.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration and pH of an unprovided product
- Tolerance in an individual user
- Performance of combinations not assessed in the cited trial
Clinical evidence and research (1 studies)
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitSome supporting studies
A small randomized human trial supports particular appearance benefits. Evidence is specific to its formulation and population.
Sources: 3Niacinamide and the appearance of photoaged facial skin
- Design
- Double-blind, randomized split-face comparison with vehicle
- Population
- 50 white women with signs of facial photoaging
- Studied concentration
- 5% niacinamide
- Duration
- 12 weeks, twice daily
Improvement in several measured signs of facial photoaging was reported.
Limitations: Small, specific population; formulation-specific findings do not prove equivalent effects at other concentrations.
Randomised clinical trialSources: 3Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
European Union
CosIng information database
An INCI inventory entry is not an approval for every cosmetic use. Product-specific regulatory assessment is still required.
Sources: 4Names on ingredient lists
niacinamide, nicotinamide
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CAS number | 98-92-0 | PubChem: Nicotinamide, CID 936 |
| PubChem CID | 936 | PubChem: Nicotinamide, CID 936 |
| iupac name | pyridine-3-carboxamide | PubChem: Nicotinamide, CID 936 |
| molecular formula | C6H6N2O | PubChem: Nicotinamide, CID 936 |
| molecular weight | 122.12 g/mol | PubChem: Nicotinamide, CID 936 |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (4)
Scientific sources
- PubChem: Nicotinamide, CID 936chemical identity
- CIR: Safety assessment of niacinamide and niacinsafety assessment · 2005
- Bissett et al.: Niacinamide improves aging facial skin appearancerandomized human trial · 2005
- European Commission: how to interpret CosIngregulatory guidance
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