A well-studied, easy-going vitamin that helps skin look more even, smoother and less shiny.
What it is
Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that suits almost every skin type. It helps the appearance of uneven tone, visible pores and oiliness, and helps skin feel comfortable and well moisturised. It sits easily alongside most other actives.
Niacinamide is thought to support the skin's normal energy processes. In studies it helped skin make more of its own moisture-holding lipids and reduced how much pigment reached the surface, so over several weeks skin looked more even and felt better hydrated.
Ratings
Evidence
5/5
Many controlled trials since the early 2000s at 2–5%.
Gentleness
4/5
Well tolerated at 2–5%; 10% caused no stinging or flushing in testing, though reactions vary.
Formulation difficulty
2/5
Water-soluble and stable, best kept at about pH 5–7.
Cost
1/5
Inexpensive, widely available commodity raw material.
Popularity
5/5
A top-five searched skincare ingredient in 2024.
Pairs and cautions
Pairs well with
In a routine. Pairing in one formula depends on matching pH windows.
Listed on the AIIC and not scheduled in the Poisons Standard, so Australia sets no strength limit. Local raw-material distributors stock it widely, so lead times and cost are predictable.
Korea
A pre-approved brightening ingredient at 2–5%, so a lotion, liquid, cream, solid or sheet-mask product in that range can be reported to MFDS as a functional cosmetic and claim it helps brighten skin.
Japan
Approved as a quasi-drug brightening active since 2007, so a claim that it suppresses melanin to prevent spots needs quasi-drug approval, not an ordinary cosmetic.
China
Brightening or spot-fading claims make it a special cosmetic, which needs NMPA registration and a human efficacy test at a designated lab before launch.
In the lab
Specifications
Typical use level
2–5%0525%
pH window
pH 5–72 acid7 neutral10 alkaline
Solubility
Water-soluble
Sensitive to
Low pH
2–5% suits daily moisturisers and serums; targeted serums use up to 10%.
INCI
Niacinamide
Also known as
Vitamin B3, Nicotinamide
Origin
synthetic
Lab notes
Solubility and phase
Water phase. Dissolves readily.
Stability
Avoid prolonged heating and keep the finished pH above 4, then track nicotinic acid through stability testing.
Regulatory, Australia
Listed on the Australian Inventory of Industrial Chemicals (AIIC) and not scheduled in the Poisons Standard. No EU restriction.
Claims to take care with
Use 'helps the appearance of' wording for tone, pores and oiliness. Claims to treat acne, rosacea or pigmentation disorders make the product a therapeutic good.
