Niacinamide

niacinamide · nicotinamide · vitamin B3

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

TipoCosmetic (topical)

Il voto risponde a: What does the human evidence support for: Barrier, tone & oil balance?

Grado

Moderata

Il voto misura la qualità dell'evidenza, non è un consiglio ad assumere o acquistare.

Classe: Skincare / topical
Uso principale: Barrier, tone & oil balance
Forza evidenza: medium
Ultima revisione: 2026-07-01

In sintesi

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.

Cosa dice l'evidenza

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.

Studi chiave

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

Vedi tutti gli studi su PubMed ↗

Meccanismo

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.

Sicurezza

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.

Contesto dosaggio

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.

Esempi di applicazione

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.

Nota dal campo

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.

Molecole correlate

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

Come assegniamo i gradi → Metodo