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Vitamin B3, Niacinamide

INCI: Niacinamide

What is it?

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, made by breaking down 3-cyanopyridine with water. Once it's in skin cells, it turns into NAD+, a molecule cells need to produce energy and repair themselves. NAD+ also fuels the production of ceramides, the fats that hold the skin's barrier together. This is what makes niacinamid...

How is it used?

Add it to the water phase. It's heat-stable, so it can go in during hot processing. Keep your formula's pH between 5 and 7 so it doesn't convert to niacin.

Forms

Available forms and grades affect how this ingredient behaves and how it should be selected for a formula.

Appearance

Color, texture, and physical characteristics can vary between suppliers and product grades.

Usage rate

Recommended incorporation levels depend on product type, supplier guidance, and the intended result.

Why we use it

Formulators choose this ingredient for specific performance, sensory, and stability benefits.

Strengths and limitations

Its advantages, compatibility considerations, and practical tradeoffs should be weighed during development.

Alternatives and substitutions

Possible replacements depend on the ingredient's role, desired skin feel, and formulation system.

Storage and shelf life

Appropriate storage conditions help protect quality and performance throughout the ingredient's usable life.

Vitamin B3, Niacinamide

What is it?

How is it used?

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