Niacinamide

niacinamide · nicotinamide · vitamin B3

A versatile vitamin-B3 active for barrier support, even tone and oil control.

TypeCosmetic (topical)

The grade answers: What does the human evidence support for: Barrier, tone & oil balance?

Grade

Moderate

The grade rates evidence quality — it is not advice to take or buy.

Class: Skincare / topical
Primary use: Barrier, tone & oil balance
Evidence strength: medium
Last reviewed: 2026-07-01

Bottom line

One of the better-evidenced, best-tolerated cosmetic actives: modest but real effects on barrier, uneven tone and shine. A dependable 'do a bit of everything' ingredient, not a miracle.

What the evidence says

Topical niacinamide has a reasonable body of controlled studies supporting improvements in skin-barrier function (reduced water loss), evenness of tone, sebum/shine and the look of enlarged pores, plus antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Effects are modest and build over weeks, and — as always — the ingredient's evidence is not a guarantee for a given product, whose result depends on its concentration and full formulation. Grade B for a broadly useful, well-tolerated active with consistent (if unspectacular) data.

Key studies

[1]
Topical niacinamide and skin appearance · RCT
Improved tone, texture and barrier measures in controlled studies.
Open on PubMed ↗
[2]
Niacinamide and skin barrier / ceramides · review
Mechanistic support for barrier benefits.
Open on PubMed ↗
[3]
Niacinamide and pigmentation · RCT
Modest reduction in the look of uneven pigmentation.
Open on PubMed ↗

See all studies on PubMed ↗

Mechanism

A precursor of NAD(H)/NADP(H) in skin cells; supports ceramide and barrier-lipid synthesis, modulates sebum, reduces transfer of melanin to keratinocytes, and dampens inflammatory signalling.

Safety

Very well tolerated, including on sensitive skin, and plays nicely with most other actives — part of why it's so widely used. Irritation is uncommon.

Dosage context

Studied largely around 2–5%. Higher percentages are marketed but can be more irritating without clearly more benefit; formulation and pairing matter more than chasing a big number.

Examples of application

Used in a morning or evening serum, under moisturiser.
Around 2–5% — comfortable and easy to combine with other actives.
Pairs well with sunscreen for tone and barrier support.

From the field

Niacinamide is the quiet workhorse of skincare: not exciting, but consistently decent and hard to react to. We grade it B and value it precisely for being unglamorous and reliable.

Related molecules

Retinoids (retinol)B Panthenol (provitamin B5)C CeramidesB

How we assign grades → Method