Niacinamide: A Powerhouse Skincare Active

You may have seen niacinamide serum making the rounds in social media videos as one of the hot new trends in skin care. It has been around for a long time with increasing awareness since around 2020.

Niacinamide or nicotinamide is a type of vitamin B3, one of eight B vitamins supporting many health aspects. Your body makes niacinamide when you have too much niacin in your body. Your body can also change an amino acid called tryptophan into niacinamide.“Niacinamide is one of those ingredients found in many skin care products to brighten skin, prevent signs of aging, and treat conditions like eczema or acne,” says Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Alok Vij, MD.

An American biochemist, Conrad Arnold Elvehjem, discovered Niacin in 1937 as a food supplement when seeking a cure for a condition known as Pellaga, due to the deficiency of Vitamin B3. His discovery was based on the extensive studies of Dr. Joseph Goldberger, a physician in the U.S. government's Hygienic Laboratory

While its use in treating Pellaga is rare today due to better food resources, it has become a key player in skincare. It has been reported to possess numerous properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antipruritic, and anticancer, making it an ideal ingredient for varied dermal therapies. Scientists theorize that Niacinamide may be effective in skincare products because it’s a precursor to two important co-enzymes within our cells; nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+/NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+). Research has proven many clinical benefits of niacinamide including reducing skin redness, improving sallowness, and lightening hyperpigmentation. Topically, the application of niacinamide enhances skin barrier lipids and improves barrier function. It has also been shown to reduce sebum production and pore size, making it effective for individuals with oily skin seeking rejuvenation. Additionally, niacinamide increases collagen and glycosaminoglycan production, boosting dermal matrix components that can smooth wrinkles. Long-term use of niacinamide, regardless of the skin type, paves the way for new skin cells, making skin healthier, brighter, and hydrated.

At Goodier, we are incorporating niacinamide into a variety of our skincare formulations where we need a proven multifunctional cosmetic active to help improve the appearance of skin redness and discoloration and help strengthen the skin barrier, while reducing the appearance of pore size, etc. In some ways, it is a foundational cosmetic active that allows Goodier to create formulas with shorter ingredient lists while maintaining value for our customers and end consumers. Our R&D team is continuously scanning the market for ingredient breakthroughs, be they new applications of an established active or new emerging actives that show exciting promise for advancing skincare. In the market for a new partner, Goodier would love to speak to you about your business and we can help you realize your growth plans.