Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 used in skincare to support the skin barrier, reduce transepidermal water loss, even skin tone, and regulate sebum. It is generally well tolerated across a wide range of skin types.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Mild transient tingling or warmth on application | Uncommon | Usually brief and self-resolving, more likely at higher concentrations. |
Facial flushing or redness | Rare | Topical niacinamide rarely causes the flushing associated with oral niacin; more likely if formulation contains niacin impurities. |
Mild irritation, dryness, or stinging | Uncommon | More common at concentrations above 5% or in sensitive/compromised skin. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated case reports; patch testing can confirm sensitivity. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.