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Supplements/Vitamin

Niacinamide

Non-flushing B3 — used for deficiency, skin health, and at high doses in dermatology.

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Overview

Non-flushing B3 — used for deficiency, skin health, and at high doses in dermatology.

Natural sources
  • Whole-food sources (animal products for fat-soluble and B-complex vitamins; produce for water-soluble vitamins)
  • Fortified foods (cereals, dairy, plant milks, nutritional yeast)
  • Multivitamins or stand-alone supplements in synthetic or food-derived form
Common forms
  • Capsule or softgel
  • Sublingual tablet or liquid
  • Methylated active form for sensitive individuals
  • Multivitamin matrix

Forms & variants of Niacinamide

Different chemical forms of Niacinamide behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Mechanism of action

Direct NAD+ precursor (does not affect lipids like niacin).

Pathways
  • · Direct NAD+ precursor (does not affect lipids like niacin)

Effects on the body

Decreases
non-melanoma skin cancer recurrence
Supports
rosacea/acne

Organ system effects

Skin

Niacinamide supports collagen synthesis, antioxidant defense, or barrier function in skin and integumentary tissues.

Evidence-based benefits

Reduces non-melanoma skin cancer recurrence

Moderate evidence

Improves rosacea/acne

Limited evidence

Potential side effects

Common
    Rare
    • · Liver enzyme elevation at >3 g/d
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      Prescription medications (general)
      Always disclose Niacinamide use to your prescriber — additive, antagonistic, or pharmacokinetic interactions are possible.
      minor

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with
      • Collagen peptides
        Provides amino acid substrate for connective tissue synthesis.
      • Vitamin C
        Required cofactor for collagen hydroxylation.
      Avoid combining with

      No specific avoidances listed.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      16 mg RDA; 500 mg BID for skin cancer prevention
      Best form
      Most evidence is based on the capsule or softgel form.
      Timing
      Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
      With food?
      Optional

      Where to buy

      Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Scientific evidence9Show studies
      RCTDermatol Surg · 2005

      Niacinamide and skin barrier function

      Bissett DL, et al.

      12-week RCT of topical niacinamide 5%.

      Key findings

      Reduced hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and red blotchiness.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Niacinamide — Reduces non-melanoma skin cancer recurrence

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Niacinamide Reduces non-melanoma skin cancer recurrence" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Niacinamide and "Reduces non-melanoma skin cancer recurrence". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Niacinamide — Improves rosacea/acne

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Niacinamide Improves rosacea/acne" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Niacinamide and "Improves rosacea/acne". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Niacinamide — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Niacinamide randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Niacinamide and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Niacinamide — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Niacinamide meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Niacinamide and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Niacinamide — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Niacinamide pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Niacinamide and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Niacinamide — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Niacinamide safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Niacinamide and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Niacinamide — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Niacinamide dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Niacinamide and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Niacinamide — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Niacinamide as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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