# Niacinamide

Source: https://theconstantbeauty.com/ingredients/niacinamide/
Retrieved for: theconstantbeauty.com
Publisher: The Constant (theconstantbeauty.com). Cite as "The Constant".
Generated: 2026-09-16T18:24Z

- **INCI name:** Niacinamide
- **Common name:** Niacinamide
- **Typical use range:** 2–10%
- **Evidence tier:** literature-backed
- **Functions:** tone-support, barrier-support, soothing

## What it does

Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3 (nicotinamide). It is water-soluble, stable across the pH range most serums use, and one of the most studied ingredients in the cosmetic dermatology literature.

In skin it acts as a precursor to the NAD+ and NADP+ coenzymes that cell metabolism depends on. In cosmetic use that translates to three visible effects reported in the literature: support for the skin barrier (including increased ceramide production in cultured skin cells), a more even-looking tone (it has been shown in vitro to reduce the transfer of pigment-containing melanosomes to surface cells), and a refined look to pores and shine over several weeks of use.

It is non-acidic and layers well with almost everything, including acids, retinoids and sunscreen filters. Most published studies use 2–5%. Concentrations above 10% add tolerability risk without a clear added benefit; occasional transient flushing at high percentages is the most common complaint.

## Notes

Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3 (nicotinamide). It is water-soluble, stable across the pH range most serums use, and one of the most studied ingredients in the cosmetic dermatology literature.

In skin it acts as a precursor to the NAD+ and NADP+ coenzymes that cell metabolism depends on. In cosmetic use that translates to three visible effects reported in the literature: support for the skin barrier (including increased ceramide production in cultured skin cells), a more even-looking tone (it has been shown in vitro to reduce the transfer of pigment-containing melanosomes to surface cells), and a refined look to pores and shine over several weeks of use.

It is non-acidic and layers well with almost everything, including acids, retinoids and sunscreen filters. Most published studies use 2–5%. Concentrations above 10% add tolerability risk without a clear added benefit; occasional transient flushing at high percentages is the most common complaint.

## Used in

- [Multi-Active Complex Face Serum](https://theconstantbeauty.com/product/multi-active-complex-serum/)

## References

1. CosIng, Niacinamide (EU cosmetic ingredient database) <https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/>
2. PubChem, Nicotinamide (CID 936) <https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/936>
3. Bissett DL, Oblong JE, Berge CA. Niacinamide: a B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(7 Pt 2):860–865.
4. Hakozaki T et al. The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer. Br J Dermatol. 2002;147(1):20–31.