Ingredients

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) — a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 that supports the skin barrier, helps regulate oil, and is widely studied for improving the look of uneven tone, enlarged pores, and dullness. It is a versatile, well-tolerated ingredient found across many skincare categories.

Key points

  • Niacinamide helps support ceramide production, which strengthens the skin's moisture barrier.
  • It is researched for reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven tone.
  • Typical concentrations in skincare range from about 2 to 10 percent.
  • It is generally gentle and compatible with most other common actives.

Frequently asked

Can niacinamide be used with vitamin C?

Yes, modern research shows the two can be used together safely, and many products combine them without the old concern that they cancel each other out.

What does niacinamide do for pores?

It is studied for helping regulate oil and improving skin texture, which can make pores appear less prominent, though it does not physically change pore size.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Dermatology Leaflet: Nicotinamide B3 NHS Clinical guidance ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk
  2. Niacin - Health Professional Fact Sheet NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Clinical guidance ods.od.nih.gov
  3. Nicotinamide DermNet NZ Clinical guidance dermnetnz.org
  4. Mechanistic Insights into the Multiple Functions of Niacinamide PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Enlarged pores DermNet NZ Clinical guidance dermnetnz.org
  6. Sebum DermNet NZ Clinical guidance dermnetnz.org

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.