What Is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that you can find in various foods such as meat, whole grains, fish, milk, yeast, and legumes. It is commonly marketed in cosmetic products under the names nicotinamide or vitamin B3.

Benefits of Using Niacinamide

• Acne treatment
• Fewer aging signs
• Increased collagen production
• Even skin tone
• Reduced pore appearance
• Niacinamide helps treat a variety of skin conditions, including rosacea, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis.

Side Effects of Using Niacinamide

Niacinamide is generally well-tolerated in appropriate doses, largely because excess amounts are excreted with your urine (28Trusted Source).

The tolerable upper limit of vitamin B3 is 35 mg per day. This is the amount least likely to cause flushing, redness, itching and tingling of your skin, a known side effect of nicotinic acid but not niacinamide (1Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).

There have been reports of minor side effects associated with nicotinamide, such as stomach discomfort, nausea and headaches.

It has also been suggested that nicotinamide may increase insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, but the evidence has been inconsistent (1Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).

That said, it’s best practice to consult with your healthcare provider before supplementing with niacinamide — or any supplement for that matter — to assess your individual risk.

Forms

Vitamin B3, in the form of nicotinic acid or niacinamide, is available as a supplement either by itself or alongside other vitamins and minerals in doses ranging from 14 to 1,000 mg per serving.

The vitamin is also included in B-complex supplements, which contain all eight B vitamins.

Some supplements that contain vitamin B3 only list niacin, but most supplements specify the form of niacin as either nicotinic acid or niacinamide.

Niacinamide may be included in pre-workout supplements, but nicotinic acid, the form that causes flushing of the skin, is preferred for the purpose of giving the consumer a sense that the pre-workout has kicked-in following the skin flushing.

For skin care, niacinamide is often included in facial moisturizing lotions or in products marketed for treating acne or rosacea.

Disclaimer: Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.