Niacinamide: A Beginner's Guide to Vitamin B3 in Skincare
What niacinamide is, what research and safety reviewers say about it, common concentrations, and how to add vitamin B3 to a skincare routine with care.
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Niacinamide shows up on a lot of serum and moisturizer labels, often with a percentage printed next to it. This guide explains what the ingredient is, what published research has looked at, what safety reviewers have concluded, and how to add it to a routine in a simple, low-risk way.
What niacinamide is
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements names nicotinic acid and nicotinamide as the two main forms of niacin found in dietary supplements, and notes that niacin in the form of nicotinamide has fewer side effects than nicotinic acid. Nicotinic acid is the form linked to flushing, which the NIH describes as skin on the face, arms, and chest turning red and feeling like it burns, tingles, or itches.
That background explains why niacinamide is the form you see in skincare. In serums, moisturizers, and other leave-on products it is used topically, which means it is applied directly to the skin rather than taken by mouth. This guide covers topical use only. Oral niacin supplements are a separate topic with their own dosing and safety considerations.
Here is a quick reference for the terms you are likely to see:
| Term on a label or in an article | What it refers to |
|---|---|
| Niacinamide | The skincare name for nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3 |
| Nicotinamide | The same molecule, the name more common in nutrition and research writing |
| Nicotinic acid | A different form of niacin, the one associated with flushing |
| Niacin | The umbrella name for vitamin B3 forms |
What research has looked at
The study most often cited for topical niacinamide comes from a research group led by Dr. Bissett, and its results were published in the mid-2000s, including a paper in the journal Dermatologic Surgery. According to a 2005 report in Dermatology Times, the work used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face, randomized design: 50 women aged 40 to 60 applied an oil-in-water moisturizer containing 5 percent niacinamide to one side of the face and a control moisturizer to the other side for 12 weeks.
The researchers reported that the niacinamide side showed less of the increase in skin yellowing (sallowness) seen on the control side. The published paper is titled as a study of aging facial skin appearance, and summaries of it describe improvements in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, and red blotchiness.
Two points are worth keeping in mind when reading those findings:
- Who paid for it. Dermatology Times reports that the study was sponsored by Procter & Gamble. Industry-funded research can still be sound, but independent repetition carries more weight.
- How big it was. Fifty participants over 12 weeks is a small and short study. It tells us niacinamide is worth studying, not that it will produce the same change for everyone.
In plain terms, niacinamide has been studied for its effect on the look of uneven tone, fine lines, and redness, and studies suggest it may help with the appearance of these concerns. It is a cosmetic ingredient, not a medical therapy, and no ingredient can promise to erase wrinkles or spots.
What safety reviewers have said
Two separate bodies have looked at niacinamide's safety, and their conclusions are summarized on CosmeticsInfo.org, a consumer reference site on cosmetic ingredients:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes niacinamide and niacin on its list of direct food substances affirmed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).
- The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel evaluated the available scientific data and concluded that niacinamide and niacin are safe in the current practices of use and concentration in cosmetics and personal care products. The panel found that they were not significant skin irritants and were not skin sensitizers or photosensitizers.
The same summary notes that certain formulations were marginal to slight eye irritants, so it makes sense to keep niacinamide products away from the eye area unless the label says otherwise.
How to use niacinamide
Cleveland Clinic offers practical guidance through aesthetician Ashlyn Yanke, and the steps below follow it.
Concentration. Most skincare products contain 5% niacinamide or less, although amounts can vary. That lines up with the 5% level used in the study described above. If your skin is sensitive, Cleveland Clinic suggests starting slowly with a low concentration.
When to apply. Niacinamide can be applied once or twice daily after gentle cleansing, as part of your regular routine. Cleveland Clinic's guidance suggests applying it after moisturizer. Product formats vary, from watery serums to creams, so the directions on your specific product are the best guide to where it fits.
Patch test first. Before using a new product on your face, apply a small amount to your forearm and wait 24 hours to check for a reaction.
Combining with other ingredients. Cleveland Clinic lists several ingredients that can be used alongside niacinamide, including antioxidants, vitamin C, moisturizers with ceramides, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and retinol. If you are adding several new products at once, introduce them one at a time. That way, if irritation appears, you can tell which product your skin is reacting to.
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| How strong? | Most products contain 5% or less; start low if your skin is sensitive |
| How often? | Once or twice daily |
| Where in the routine? | After gentle cleansing; Cleveland Clinic suggests after moisturizer |
| First step with a new product? | Forearm patch test, then wait 24 hours |
| Pairs with | Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ceramide moisturizers, retinol, glycolic acid |
Who should take extra care
Niacinamide is generally considered gentle, but Cleveland Clinic lists possible side effects that include allergic reaction, itching, a mild burning sensation, and redness. People with very sensitive or reactive skin can start with a lower concentration and patch test before applying a product to the face. If a product stings, itches, or leaves your skin red, stop using it.
If you have a skin condition, are pregnant, or take medication, talk to a board-certified dermatologist before adding new active ingredients to your routine.
The short version
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that is widely used in leave-on skincare. A small, industry-sponsored study from the mid-2000s reported less sallowness and improvements in the look of fine lines, spots, and blotchiness with a 5% formula over 12 weeks. Safety reviewers have found it safe as used in cosmetics, and most products sit at 5% or less. A gradual start, a patch test, and one new product at a time keep the process simple.
Sources
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Niacin Fact Sheet for Consumers (updated February 1, 2019)
- Dermatology Times, report on topical niacinamide and sallowness (May 1, 2005)
- Bissett DL et al., "Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance," Dermatologic Surgery (PubMed record)
- CosmeticsInfo.org, Niacinamide (FDA GRAS status and CIR Expert Panel conclusion)
- Cleveland Clinic, "Benefits of Niacinamide"
Last checked: October 3, 2026