A water-soluble B vitamin, often supplied as niacinamide.
Why it’s used: Contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the maintenance of normal skin.
Vitamin B3, or niacin, is a water-soluble B vitamin found in meat, fish, eggs and wheat flour. It comes in two main forms, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide (also called niacinamide), and both occur naturally in food. Niacin cannot be stored in the body, so you need it in your diet every day.
Niacin helps the body release energy from food and helps keep the nervous system and skin healthy. It contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the maintenance of normal skin.
The form on the label matters. Supplements with 30mg or more of nicotinic acid can make the skin on the face, arms and chest turn red and burn, tingle or itch, which is known as flushing. Nicotinamide has fewer side effects, which is one reason many multivitamins and B-complex products use it. Much larger doses of nicotinic acid, of 1,000mg or more a day, are used as a medicine under medical supervision, which is a very different situation from everyday supplements. When you compare products, check which form is used as well as the amount in milligrams.
The finding behind this ingredient. Hover a card for the detail and the source.
Double-blind, split-face randomised study in 50 women applying 5% niacinamide or vehicle twice daily for 12 weeks. Fine lines, spots, blotchiness, sallowness and elasticity improved.
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Both are forms of vitamin B3. Nicotinic acid can cause skin flushing at 30mg or more, while niacinamide (nicotinamide) has fewer side effects. The NHS gives separate guidance for each: 17mg or less of nicotinic acid, or 500mg or less of nicotinamide, a day from supplements.
Nicotinic acid, one form of niacin, can make the skin on the face, arms and chest turn red and feel burning, tingly or itchy, usually at supplement doses of 30mg or more. Products that use nicotinamide instead are less likely to cause this.
Niacin helps the body release energy from food and keeps the nervous system and skin healthy. It contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to the maintenance of normal skin. Meat, fish, eggs and wheat flour are good everyday sources.
Information only, not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
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