Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a topical active that helps reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots by inhibiting melanosome transfer to keratinocytes, while also supporting the skin barrier and regulating sebum. It is widely used in concentrations of roughly 2-5% for evening skin tone.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild transient redness or warmth (flushing) | Uncommon | More likely at higher concentrations; usually subsides quickly. |
| Tingling, stinging or itching | Uncommon | Often associated with compromised skin barrier or higher concentrations. |
| Dryness or mild irritation | Uncommon | Typically mild and self-limiting. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Documented in isolated case reports. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.