The ingredient, explained

Niacinamide

Also called nicotinamide, this vitamin B3 ingredient has been studied topically for facial oil and uneven pigmentation.

Anti-inflammatoryTyrosinase inhibitor / brighteningSmoothing

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

3-Pyridinecarboxamide

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

Anti-inflammatory: Research category concerning reduced inflammation. A discovery tag does not establish that an ingredient treats inflammation at the amount used in a product.
Tyrosinase inhibitor / brightening: Research category for changes in pigmentation or uneven skin tone. The label does not establish that a finished product changes pigmentation.
Smoothing: Helps make the skin surface feel or appear less rough.

Function definitions: National Cancer Institute: Anti-inflammatory definition ↗ · Original niacinamide study: Pigmentation and hyperpigmented spots ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Selected research

Trials of 2% niacinamide found changes in facial sebum that differed between Japanese and Caucasian participants. In 18 Japanese participants, 5% niacinamide reduced hyperpigmentation relative to its vehicle after four weeks. A larger trial tested 4% niacinamide with 2% N-acetyl glucosamine.

What this does not tell us

The combination trial cannot isolate niacinamide. The selected populations, concentrations and moisturiser bases do not establish the performance of another formula, a higher concentration or treatment of acne.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 16766489 ↗PubMed 12100180 ↗PubMed 19845667 ↗

Research review checked Sep 30, 2026

Selected primary sources were reviewed for the existing research brief on 30 September 2026, with exact ingredient, route and combination limitations recorded. This was a bounded editorial review, not a systematic search.

Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.