What is Niacinamide?

Vitamin B3 derivative

Niacinamide is a water soluble form of vitamin B3. It goes into the water phase of a formula and holds up in most finished products, which is why it turns up in cleansers, toners, serums and creams alike. Formulators work with it at a few percent, so it usually sits in the upper half of an ingredient list.

What can you expect from it?

Fine lines, dark spots, redness, uneven texture and yellowish tone look better.
5% strength · 12 weeks of use
Pores and wrinkles shrink and tone evens out.
4% strength · 12 weeks of use
Dry skin loses less water.
Skin gets less oily.
2% strength · 2 weeks of use

What won't it do?

Claims you often see, and what is actually true.

On its own it isn't the best.
Niacinamide alone is the optimal brightening or antiaging active
It won't cut oil output for everyone.
Niacinamide controls oil for everyone
A higher % on the label isn't proven to work better.
A specific niacinamide percentage is the effective threshold

Anything to watch out for?

In the safety record it did not cause allergies or reactions to light, and no stinging showed up to 10 percent.
It is one of the lower risk ingredients here.

What does it pair well with?

KinetinHexylresorcinol
Paired with kinetin or with 4-hexylresorcinol, niacinamide does better than on its own. Other common pairings have not been tested.
Better together
Niacinamide helps skin make its own fats, so pairing it with a cream that adds fats or seals the surface aims at the same goal by another route. That pair hasn't been tested.
Fine to use together

How much, and for how long?

Products on the market use up to 3%. The biggest changes showed up at 5%.

Oil drops within 2 weeks, pores and uneven tone improve by week 8, and wrinkles by week 12. Use 5% for 12 weeks and lines and spots look better.

Which products feature it?

782 of the 2320 products we've checked feature this as a key ingredient. Products that disclose a concentration or list it near the top of the ingredient list come first.

Showing 1 to 12.

easydew
Skin Booster Shot Ampoule Set of Four
Key: Niacinamide (#6 on the ingredient list · 21%), Sodium DNA, Sh-Oligopeptide-1
5 claims checked
claims, checked
Skin Booster Hyaluronic Glow Shot Ampoulebacked by evidence
Skin Booster Niacin Toning Shot Ampoulepartly backed
Skin Boosteroverstated
Skin Booster PDRN Lifting Shot Ampouleoverstated
Skin Booster Exosome Pore Shot Ampouleno supporting source found
Derma Factory
Niacinamide 20% Serum
It's made for less visible pores and a brighter skin tone.
Key: Niacinamide (#2 on the ingredient list · 20%), Rosa Damascena Flower Water 64.5%
Official (Korean)
36 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
less visible pores · a brighter skin tone · calmer skin
Free of:
the ingredients it lists
See each claim
claims, checked
Niacinamide 20% high contentbacked by evidence
Contains 64.5% Damask rose flower waterbacked by evidence
Fragrance-freebacked by evidence
Transparent serum formulation that feels richly moisturizing without stickinessplausible, not tested
First-use feel that immediately feels richly moisturizingplausible, not tested
Controls oiliness and finishes fresh and matteplausible, not tested
Dermafactory develops formulations that do not include fragrance and essential oils as much as possible.plausible, not tested
Fresh finish that absorbs into the skin moistly and softlyplausible, not tested
A brightening & pore care serum that contains 20% niacinamide effective for pore & texture care and brightening, cultivating dull skin to be clear and radiantpartly backed
Definite 5-fold pore* carepartly backed
Improvement effect on 5-fold pores (pore number, pore depth, pore volume, pore area, pore density) after 4 weeks of usepartly backed
After 4 weeks of use, whitehead/blackhead 23.84% improvementpartly backed
After just 1 use, skin texture 7.18% improvementpartly backed
Moisturizing, brightening, skin concern care, tone & texture carepartly backed
Containing niacinamide, a vitamin B3 ingredient known to be very effective even on sensitive skin, at the highest domestic content of 20%, it comfortably soothes angry skin and cultivates skin to be clear, clean, and radiant.partly backed
Visibly definite 5-fold pore* tightening effectpartly backed
Although it is a serum containing high content of 20% niacinamide, it quickly absorbs into the skin without worry of stickiness, helps organize pores and skin texture, and cultivates clear and lively skin.partly backed
As we disclose ingredient contents of 1% or more, we included only raw materials that can truly produce efficacy at MAX content.partly backed
All Dermafactory products are manufactured and quality guaranteed by ㈜BNB Koreapartly backed
CGMP certification as a compliant facility for Good Cosmetics Manufacturing and Quality Control Standardspartly backed
ISO 22716, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 certificationpartly backed
High concentrations of active ingredients for real resultspartly backed
Made in a GMP facility with strict, consistent quality controlpartly backed
Fair pricing with essential formulas and minimal fillerspartly backed
By disclosing the full list of ingredients and minimizing unnecessary fillerspartly backed
Contains 92.5% MAX content of active ingredients!overstated
Despite its powerful efficacy, it does not cause side effects or irritation, so it is recently in the spotlight as a next-generation soothing and vitality care ingredient.overstated
Whiteheads / blackheads cleanly OUT!overstated
Clinically proven definite improvement in sebum secretionoverstated
Excluding essential ingredients for implementing the serum formulation (thickener, emulsifier, etc.), it is composed of 92.5% active ingredients only.overstated
Niacinamide, highest domestic content 20%no supporting source found
Oil improvement rate 96.66%no supporting source found
Improvement of inner dryness as moisture is densely filled in the skinno supporting source found
A product created after numerous studies by 19 researchers and 7 product developers coming together.no supporting source found
Vegan certificationno supporting source found
High-efficacy vitamin formula for clean, clearly radiant, healthy skinnothing specific to check
JUMISO
Niacinamide 20% Serum
Key: Niacinamide (#2 on the ingredient list · 20%), Tranexamic Acid, Glutathione
Olive Young US Official (Korean)
2 claims checked
claims, checked
Niacinamide 20% Serumpartly backed
[Blemish/Pore Care]partly backed
COSRX
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
It's made for clearer-looking skin and less visible pores.
Key: Niacinamide (#3 on the ingredient list · 15%), Acetyl Glucosamine, Zinc PCA
Brand store Olive Young US Official (Korean)
54 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
less visible pores (amount unknown) · clearer-looking skin (amount unknown) · less shine · less visible dark spots
Don't count on:
firmer skin · a brighter skin tone
See each claim
claims, checked
Acetyl Glucosamine + Zinc PCAbacked by evidence
Niacinamide 15%backed by evidence
#Sebum&PoreImprovementplausible, not tested
#SkinBarrierImprovementplausible, not tested
#TroubleAndMarkImprovementplausible, not tested
#SkinDrynessReliefplausible, not tested
Niacinamide is a smart ingredient that resolves various skin concerns including trouble and mark improvement, sebum & pore improvement, skin barrier improvement, and even relief of skin dryness!plausible, not tested
Sebum quantity reductionplausible, not tested
Oil quantity reductionplausible, not tested
Sebum secretion controlplausible, not tested
A light liquid formula that controls oiliness and leaves only freshnessplausible, not tested
A dropper wiper that separates well from the package makes recycling easy upon disposal.plausible, not tested
Removable sticker label* that peels off cleanlyplausible, not tested
Care from sebum & pore improvement to trouble* marks all at oncepartly backed
+ Oil Control + Minimize Pores & Sebumpartly backed
Approved by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a 'whitening functional certified ingredient', safety and efficacy have been proven through numerous research papers, and there are research results showing safety even at concentrations up to 20%.partly backed
Non-greasy feeling and fast absorption, usable for acne-prone skin & sensitive skinpartly backed
Relieves trouble markspartly backed
Feeling that trouble marks or spots were relieved: 100%partly backed
Feeling that skin sebum and trouble improved: 100%partly backed
Feeling that skin oiliness was relieved: 100%partly backed
Pigmentation improvement -15%partly backed
Mark improvement -19%partly backed
Red skin -24.8%partly backed
Yellow skin -11.7%partly backed
#HighStrengthTroubleSerumpartly backed
*In just 4 weeks, end of worries about sebum / oil / blackheads / whiteheads! Trouble care serumoverstated
Triple complexion skin tone improvementoverstated
15% optimal concentration formulation for genuinely effective careoverstated
Try it once and you'll know the definite trouble* care effectoverstated
Satisfaction with skin changes experienced by consumers over about 4 weeks: surprisingly 100%overstated
In just 4 weeks! Overwhelming improvement in excess sebum · oil · blackheads and whiteheadsoverstated
*Red sebum lines extending from both eyebrows to nose, beside nose, nasolabial folds, and chin → completely disappeared after 4 weeksoverstated
In just 4 weeks! Marks also neatly relievedoverstated
In just 4 weeks! From uneven reddish tone to uniform toneoverstated
Elasticity and glow that fills up tautly even into poresno supporting source found
BEAUTY & WELLNESS GLAMOUR AWARD · 2023no supporting source found
iF DESIGN AWARD 2023no supporting source found
Blackhead count reductionno supporting source found
Whitehead count reductionno supporting source found
Trouble* spot careno supporting source found
Relieves worsening of troubleno supporting source found
Prescription with carefully selected synergistic ingredients that maximize trouble careno supporting source found
Sebum quantity -45%no supporting source found
Oil quantity -48%no supporting source found
Blackhead count -42%no supporting source found
Whitehead count -50%no supporting source found
Dark skin +2.5%no supporting source found
Patent pending (Application number 10-2021-0096102)no supporting source found
Trouble* intensive care effect contained in one dropnothing specific to check
A true trouble* solution must tackle from the cause to the marksnothing specific to check
COSRX's own solution for trouble caused by troublenothing specific to check
Use of niacinamide that provides comprehensive care for problem skinnothing specific to check
Clean COSRX caring for the earthnothing specific to check
mitoON
Cell Rejuvenation 10% Niacinamide Firming Lotion
With Betaine, you can expect better hydration.
Key: Niacinamide (#2 on the ingredient list · 10%), Adenosine, Resveratrol
Official (Korean)
15 claims, summarized
You can expect:
better hydration · better barrier support
Only partly backed:
softer-looking fine lines (amount unknown) · firmer skin (amount unknown)
Free of:
the ingredients it lists
See each claim
claims, checked
High-content Niacinamide Antioxidant Lotionbacked by evidence
Resveratrol (Antioxidant), Allantoin, Betaine (Barrier, Moisture)backed by evidence
Daily moisturizing that lightly fills moisture and barrierbacked by evidence
No artificial fragrance addedbacked by evidence
A step that strengthens the skin barrier and protective film against broken skin barrier and chronic inner dryness, fills the skin with moisture, and adds a comfortable moisturizing feel for more elastic and smooth skin.plausible, not tested
Wrinkle improvementpartly backed
Moisturizing care for strengthening the skin barrier and firm skin elasticitypartly backed
Niacinamide (Brightening, Antioxidant, Elasticity, Oil-Moisture Balance)partly backed
EGF, Peptide (Elasticity), Adenosine (Wrinkle Improvement Functional)partly backed
Skin barrier, elasticity, moisture, wrinkle improvementpartly backed
Balance of high active ingredient content and comfortable feelpartly backed
All Maitton products contain 10% Niacinamide, an antioxidant ingredient verified through in-house research.partly backed
Low-irritation test completedno supporting source found
After using toner to refine the skin or allowing the ampoule to absorb, take 1~2 pumps onto your hand or face and spread evenly to absorb. After it is fully absorbed, applying about 1 pump more will give you even better results.nothing specific to check
High-content Niacinamide skincare created by aging research experts, effective and reasonable antioxidant basic cosmeticsnothing specific to check
OHUI
Extreme White Niacinamide 10% TX Mela-Toning Cream
Key: Niacinamide (#2 on the ingredient list · 10%), Tranexamic Acid 0.5%, Hexylresorcinol
Official (Korean)
3 claims checked
claims, checked
Niacinamide 10%backed by evidence
Extreme White / Melatoningplausible, not tested
TX (Tranexamic acid)partly backed
Hanyul
Ginkgo Leaf Pore Resurfacing Serum
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for wrinkle improvement.
Key: Niacinamide (#2 on the ingredient list · 10%), Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone
Official (Korean)
19 claims, summarized
You can expect:
softer-looking fine lines
Only partly backed:
less visible pores · firmer skin · less shine
See each claim
claims, checked
Helps improve skin wrinkles.backed by evidence
With the triple effect of pore sebum care-elasticity strengthening-unevenness peelingpartly backed
10% niacinamide narrows stretched pore walls²⁾partly backed
8.4% AHA·BHA·PHA smooths visible pore texture³⁾partly backed
High-efficacy active ingredients, 10-layer absorption into the skin, +22.41%*partly backed
A mildly acidic water serum that creates -45%* smaller poresoverstated
Achieve -45%* half-pore completion in 8 hoursoverstated
4.5%** ginkgo leaf vegan peptide™ makes the interior¹⁾ of enlarged pores smalleroverstated
100%* reduction of excess sebum in poresoverstated
90.6%* elasticity strengthening of loosened pore wallsoverstated
100%* smoothing of bumpy pore unevennessoverstated
Golden combination of 24% pore-improving special ingredientsno supporting source found
3 times* stronger pore elasticity than the elasticity-strong peptide!no supporting source found
Ginkgo leaf has the ability to control excess sebum secreted inside pores.no supporting source found
Quickly absorbed without lingering on the skin 93.75% No stuffy feeling even when layered 93.75% Good spreadability and fast absorption 96.87%no supporting source found
Feeling that makeup doesn't smear and works better 96.8% Feeling that makeup adhesion is higher 93.7% Feeling that makeup products get caught in pores less 93.7%no supporting source found
Low irritation Skin irritation score [0.00]no supporting source found
Dermatology test completed 9 FREEno supporting source found
High-efficacy active ingredients quickly penetrate deep into the skinno supporting source found
JUMISO
JUMISO Niacinamide 10 Serum
Key: Niacinamide (#2 on the ingredient list · 10%), Tranexamic Acid, Glutathione
Official (Korean)
1 claim checked
claims, checked
[Daily Tone/Texture Care] Niacinamide 10 Serum 40ml, , Jumiso, Elasticity/Whiteningpartly backed
AESTURA
리제덤365 모공탄력 캡슐세럼 (Korean)This brand publishes no English name for this product. The name above is as printed in Korean.
It's made for better hydration and less visible pores.
Key: Niacinamide (#3 on the ingredient list · 10%), Adenosine, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide MEA
Official (Korean)
19 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
less visible pores · firmer skin (amount unknown) · less shine · better barrier support (amount unknown)
See each claim
claims, checked
Vitamin B3 contained in Rjedum365 Pore Elasticity Capsule Serum is relatively stable against heat and light, so it can be used both day and night without restriction.backed by evidence
After 7 days of use, skin smoothness improved by 7.8%plausible, not tested
Immediate sense of moisture and hydration is felt (100%)plausible, not tested
If the moisture in the contents evaporates and dries out, these high-concentration efficacy ingredients may remain as white crystals (powder); this is not due to other impurities or contamination, but the efficacy ingredients themselves, so they are completely harmless to the human body.plausible, not tested
For sensitive skin that ages faster, a slow-aging serum that improves pore* elasticity in just 7 days.partly backed
The Derma Tightening Barrier Capsule™, specially designed for sensitive skin, strengthens elasticity and the skin barrier simultaneously, creating healthy, firm skin.partly backed
Contains 10% Vitamin B3 to care for sebum, the cause of sagging pores.partly backed
Improves weakened skin barrier and skin elasticity together, helping to strengthen overall elasticity.partly backed
After 7 days of use, pore count decreased by 27.9% and pore volume by 40.4%²partly backed
Skin feels smooth and refined (100%)partly backed
Feels like skin has a healthy glow and radiance (100%)partly backed
The Derma Tightening Barrier Capsule is a heritage efficacy ingredient of the Aestura Rjedum line specialized for slow-aging, containing ceramide, cholesterol, fatty acids that make up the skin barrier, collagen that helps improve skin elasticity, and vitamin C derivative, an essential antioxidant ingredient in anti-aging, all contained within a single capsule.partly backed
You can actually experience significantly stronger temporary improvement effects on pore area elasticity, as well as on various pore indicators such as count, volume, area, and density, compared to the company's control product, within just 7 days.partly backed
After 7 days of use, pore area elasticity improved 2 times¹overstated
Improvement of 6 major signs of pore aging2 (pore count, area, density, depth, volume, skin texture around pores)overstated
Because this capsule melts away gently on the skin, it does not cause a foreign-body sensation or irritation.no supporting source found
The product itself has passed a sensitivity panel test, confirming that it does not irritate the skin.no supporting source found
Rjedum365 Pore Elasticity Capsule Serum has completed various skin safety tests, making it an elasticity serum that can be used on sensitive skin without worry.no supporting source found
Feels like skin is being nourished (100%)nothing specific to check
Derma Factory
Niacin Tranexamic 13% Serum
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening.
Key: Niacinamide 10%, Tranexamic Acid 3%, Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether 1%
Official (Korean)
39 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots
Only partly backed:
a brighter skin tone · calmer skin
Tests passed:
hypoallergenic · skin irritation
See each claim
claims, checked
Vitamin C derivative whitening functional Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether 1%backed by evidence
Whitening care without worry of irritation, low-irritation skin test completedbacked by evidence
Dermafactory Niacin Tranexamic Acid 13% Serum whitening functionality report completedbacked by evidence
Contains ‘Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether’, an MFDS-reported whitening functional ingredient, and provides a whitening effect to the skin.backed by evidence
Dermafactory Niacin Tranexamic Acid 13% Serum's 24-hour patch test results, average skin reaction was 0.00, judged as low (non)-irritation.backed by evidence
Fragrance-freebacked by evidence
Helps with skin whitening.backed by evidence
Skin tone & texture care, 10% Niacinamide high contentplausible, not tested
Light orange-colored transparent serum formulation that provides moisture and radianceplausible, not tested
Stabilized Vitamin C derivative Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether 1%plausible, not tested
Moisture radiance serum that provides a clear glowplausible, not tested
The light orange-colored serum formulation full of whitening ingredients leaves clear radiance on the skin along with a moist moisturizing feel.plausible, not tested
Light orange-colored serum formulation that finishes without stickinessplausible, not tested
First - first feel of use where moisture is immediately felt richly Middle - feel of use where it rolls smoothly and moisture fills the skin Finish - finish feel that leaves transparent radiance along with moistureplausible, not tested
This product contains a large amount of Niacinamide raw material, and differences in scent may occur for each manufacturing batch of the Niacinamide raw material, so when using the product, the distinctive odor of the raw material may be felt. This does not indicate a problem with product quality or use, so please use with confidence.plausible, not tested
Whitening functional melasma and dark spot serum containing high concentrations of 10% Niacinamide and 3% Tranexamic Acid to cultivate clear skinpartly backed
Next-generation ingredient Tranexamic Acid 3% melasma and dark spot carepartly backed
Blotchy melasma and dark spot intensive care, melasma/dark spot improvement effect after 2 weeks of usepartly backed
Whitening, dark spot care, tone & texture care, moisturizing, radiancepartly backed
Niacinamide 10% that cultivates clear and transparent skin. Niacinamide, a Vitamin B3 ingredient known to be very effective even on sensitive skin, is contained at a high concentration of 10% to comfortably soothe blotchy skin and cultivate clear, clean, glowing skin.partly backed
Intensive melasma care, Tranexamic Acid 3% Tranexamic Acid 3% cares for melasma and dark spots in dull and blotchy skin to cultivate clear skin.partly backed
Sea Buckthorn Water 65% instead of Purified Waterpartly backed
Just, the melasma and dark spot improvement effect that appears in 2 weekspartly backed
Melasma / dark spot improvement rate 3.58%partly backed
85.7% feel that melasma and dark spots have fadedpartly backed
76.2% feel that blotchy skin traces have become more evenpartly backed
76.2% feel that the overall tone has become bright and clearpartly backed
81.0% feel that clear radiance circulates on the skinpartly backed
Feel comfortable without skin irritation 90.5%partly backed
Low-irritation skin test completed! Gentle care without worry of irritationpartly backed
Yes, with the light-stable Vitamin C derivative ingredient and Liposome Glutathione ingredient, it is a daily whitening serum safe to use during the day.partly backed
Pigmentation prevention Liposome Glutathione 1%overstated
High concentrations of 10% Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid + Glutathione + Vitamin C cultivate transparent and clear skin without melasma and dark spots.overstated
Synergy combination that brightens dull skin, pigmentation prevention antioxidant ingredient Liposome Glutathione 1%overstated
4-fold whitening solution for bright and clean skin without melasma and dark spotsoverstated
Whitening functionality that provides a definite whitening effectoverstated
Contains 95.2% MAX content of active ingredients!overstated
4X synergy melasma/dark spot improvement brighteningno supporting source found
As we disclose ingredient contents of 1% or more, we included only raw materials that can truly produce efficacy at MAX content.nothing specific to check
Anua
HEARTLEAF 77 B3ZINC SOOTHING SERUM
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening.
Key: Niacinamide (#2 on the ingredient list · 5%), Zinc PCA 1%, Houttuynia Cordata Flower/Leaf/Stem Water 77%
Official (Korean)
39 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots
Only partly backed:
calmer skin · clearer-looking skin · less shine · a smoother skin texture
Tests passed:
hypoallergenic · non-comedogenic · skin irritation
See each claim
claims, checked
Niacinamide (B3) 5%backed by evidence
Zinc 1%backed by evidence
Whitening functional cosmeticsbacked by evidence
Excess sebum careplausible, not tested
Skin barrier and marks** careplausible, not tested
Lightly absorbed, fresh and moist serum textureplausible, not tested
99.3% soothing of trouble* skin in just 2 weekspartly backed
The amazing effect of the trouble* serum, proven by satisfaction!partly backed
Skin absorption improved by 167.5%!partly backed
Soothing of skin irritated by towel friction (after 1 use)** 70.9%partly backed
Soothing of skin irritated by pillow friction (after 1 use)** 45.2%partly backed
Soothing of skin irritated by shaving irritation (after 1 use)*** 57.4%partly backed
99,100 ppm B3Zinc™ COMPLEXpartly backed
Low-irritation care of dead skin cells and skin texture refinementpartly backed
Inner sebum (whitehead) reductionpartly backed
Surface sebum (blackhead) reductionpartly backed
Improvement effect on soothing irritated skin*partly backed
Skin pore area improvement**partly backed
Improvement of skin barrier damaged by physical irritationpartly backed
Skin blemish (pigmentation) improvementpartly backed
Skin oil improvementpartly backed
Skin moisture improvementpartly backed
Skin irritation test completed on sensitive skinpartly backed
Low-irritation skin test completedpartly backed
Test for suitability on acne-prone skin completed (non-comedogenic)partly backed
24% soothing synergy!partly backed
Inner moisturization UP 3.13 timespartly backed
68.6% higher absorptionpartly backed
Soothing effect that penetrates deep* into the skin with Houttuynia cordata exosome1)!overstated
Active ingredients delivered fast and deep* into the skin — not lingering on the surface, the difference of true absorptionoverstated
Afternoon greasiness OUT!* Sebum amount -28.8% decrease**overstated
86.9% moisture soothing + moisturizing ingredients**overstated
Breaking the vicious cycle of trouble*no supporting source found
A soothing coverage area wider than before!no supporting source found
Skin soothing effect that gets better and better the more you use itno supporting source found
Just 1 use improves soothing of reddened* skinno supporting source found
Skin texture improvement effect -5.2%no supporting source found
A serum that cares for recurring trouble*nothing specific to check
Key soothing care ingredientsnothing specific to check
BAELL
FARRO GLOW CREAM AMPOULE
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening and wrinkle improvement.
Key: Niacinamide (#3 on the ingredient list · 5%), Adenosine, Glutathione
Official (Korean)
28 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots · softer-looking fine lines
Only partly backed:
better hydration · a brighter skin tone (amount unknown) · firmer skin
Tests passed:
hypoallergenic · skin irritation
See each claim
claims, checked
WHITENING & WRINKLE-IMPROVING DOUBLE FUNCTIONALbacked by evidence
A creamy, milky ampoule that fills moisture like waterplausible, not tested
BRIGHTENING ANTIOXIDANT MOISTURIZING GLOSSY SKINpartly backed
24 hours 3D dimensional glowpartly backed
Transparency (clarity)partly backed
Antioxidantpartly backed
The 3D dimensional glow you feel the moment you applypartly backed
Enjoy the glow beam effect toopartly backed
3 STEP brightening systempartly backed
Glutathione, a conditioning ingredient that makes skin clear and radiantpartly backed
Niacinamide 5%, a whitening functional ingredient notified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safetypartly backed
Ascorbyl Glucoside, a vitamin C derivative that is less irritating and has ensured stabilitypartly backed
Immediate skin core elasticity improvement; improves skin core elasticity the moment you apply, and skin core elasticity continues to improve after 4 weekspartly backed
Skin density improvement: skin density improves with just 2 weeks of usepartly backed
Inner skin elasticity improvement: inner skin elasticity improves with just 2 weeks of usepartly backed
Skin low-irritation test completedpartly backed
Sensitive skin primary irritation test completedpartly backed
Acne-prone skin suitability test completedpartly backed
The secret to youthful-looking skin, firm elasticity glow, Farro Glass Ampouleoverstated
Filling elasticity glowoverstated
Skin condition regained through antioxidantsoverstated
Worry-free glow skin care even for sensitive skinoverstated
Bael exclusive raw material farro seed extractno supporting source found
Korea's only Bael exclusive ingredient, farro seed extract (emmer wheat seed extract)no supporting source found
An ingredient made from farro grown in Tuscany, Italy, a high-altitude, cold, and dry region, providing optimal cultivation conditionsno supporting source found
2025 second half hwahae awards Next Beauty | Brightening 1st placeno supporting source found
2025 DECEMBER SINGLES pick FARRO AMPOULEno supporting source found
Farro Glass Ampoule for firm, youthful glass-like glow skinnothing specific to check

Are the claims about it backed up?

We checked each claim that features this ingredient. Open the list below to see the result for each one.

See the results by claim

Result	Claims
backed by evidence	68 of 212
plausible, not tested	19 of 212
partly backed	93 of 212
overstated	8 of 212
no supporting source found	18 of 212
nothing specific to check	6 of 212

These are counts of claims, not products. One product can name the same ingredient in several claims, and we checked each one on its own.

Which articles cover it?

Posts on this site that take this ingredient as their subject.

Sources

We summarized the published studies and public records listed below, each with its DOI or PubMed number. Findings about treating medical conditions are outside what a cosmetics page covers, so we left them out.

What can you expect from it?

Fine lines, dark spots, redness, uneven texture and yellowish tone look better.
At 5 percent over 12 weeks, the half of the face with niacinamide read better than the half with the base alone on fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, texture, redness and a yellowish tone.
Two 12 week comparisons of 50 women each, one half of the face getting the niacinamide and the other half the same cream without it.
Two split face, left right randomized, double blind studies in 50 subjects each support this endpoint set.
In the first, Caucasian women aged 40 to 60 applied a moisturizer control versus the same moisturizer containing 5% niacinamide for 12 weeks; niacinamide gave significant improvements versus control in fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation spots, texture and red blotchiness, and significantly improved skin yellowing (sallowness).
In the second, white female subjects with clinical signs of facial photoaging applied 5% niacinamide to half the face and its vehicle to the other half twice daily for 12 weeks; significant improvements were reported for fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness and sallowness, with elasticity improved as measured by cutometry.
Sources: 3, 4
Pores and wrinkles shrink and tone evens out.
At 4 percent, counts of pores and uneven patches came down by week 8 and wrinkle counts by week 12, a shorter list of changes than the 5 percent studies reported.
A 12 week comparison in 52 people in Taiwan, each person getting the ingredient on one half of the face.
In a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled split face trial in 52 Taiwanese subjects, the niacinamide 4% arm showed significant reductions in pore and evenness counts at week 8 and in wrinkle counts at week 12.
Sources: 6
Dry skin loses less water.
Applied to dry skin, it left more of the skin's own fat like components in the outermost layer and lowered the amount of water escaping through skin.
Reported only as a short summary, with no count of people and no length of use given, so only the direction of the two measures is known.
Topical nicotinamide increased stratum corneum ceramide and free fatty acid levels and decreased transepidermal water loss in dry skin.
Sources: 1
Skin gets less oily.
At 2 percent in a Japanese group, the amount of oil the skin put out was lower after 2 weeks and after 4 weeks than in the group without it.
A 4 week comparison in 100 people in Japan, split into two groups of 50, one group using it and one not.
In a double blind, placebo controlled comparison between two independent balanced groups of 100 Japanese subjects (50 per arm, 4 weeks), the 2% niacinamide treated group showed a significantly lowered sebum excretion rate after 2 and 4 weeks of application, with no significant baseline difference between groups.
Sources: 5

What won't it do?

On its own it isn't the best.
In one trial here, niacinamide with a second ingredient beat niacinamide on its own on dark spots, fine lines and firmness. In the other, niacinamide alone changed fewer things than the pair did. Calling it alone the best choice does not hold.
Two 12 week face comparisons, each setting niacinamide alone against niacinamide with a second ingredient.
In a randomized, double blind, split face clinical study in Chinese subjects over 12 weeks, a 4-hexylresorcinol plus niacinamide combination showed significantly improved efficacy over niacinamide alone on hyperpigmentation spots as measured by L*, on the visual appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the crow's feet and perioral area, and on skin firmness.
Sources: 9
It won't cut oil output for everyone.
The one source on oil disagrees with itself. In the Japanese group the amount of oil the skin put out went down, while in a separate group of 30 people over 6 weeks only the oil sitting on the surface went down and the amount put out did not.
Two arms of the same paper in different groups of people, one over 4 weeks and one over 6 weeks.
The single sebum source disagrees with itself across populations.
In the Japanese arm the sebum excretion rate was significantly lowered at 2 and 4 weeks, but in a separate randomized split face study of 30 Caucasian subjects over 6 weeks the casual sebum level was significantly reduced while the sebum excretion rate was not.
Sources: 5
A higher % on the label isn't proven to work better.
No source here sets one percentage against another. What exists is separate studies at 2, 4 and 5 percent in different groups measuring different things, so a number on the label is a formulation choice and not a proven threshold.
Separate trials at separate strengths, never run head to head.
No source here establishes a dose response curve.
What exists is a set of separate studies at separate percentages with different endpoint sets and different populations (2% in source 5 and source 8, 4% in source 6, 5% in source 3 and source 4), and CIR's reported upper use concentration of 3% in body and hand products.
Sources: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8

Citations

1
Tanno O, Ota Y, Kitamura N, Katsube T, Inoue S. Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143(3):524-531.DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2000.03705.x PMID 10971324
2
Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Final report of the safety assessment of niacinamide and niacin. Int J Toxicol. 2005;24(Suppl 5):1-31.DOI 10.1080/10915810500434183 PMID 16596767
3
Bissett DL, Miyamoto K, Sun P, Li J, Berge CA. Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2004;26(5):231-238.DOI 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00228.x PMID 18492135
4
Bissett DL, Oblong JE, Berge CA. Niacinamide: a B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(7 Pt 2):860-865.DOI 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2005.31732 PMID 16029679
5
Draelos ZD, Matsubara A, Smiles K. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2006;8(2):96-101.DOI 10.1080/14764170600717704 PMID 16766489
6
Chiu PC, Chan CC, Lin HM, Chiu HC. The clinical anti-aging effects of topical kinetin and niacinamide in Asians: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2007;6(4):243-249.DOI 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00342.x PMID 18047609
7
Boo YC. Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(8):1315.DOI 10.3390/antiox10081315 PMID 34439563
8
Soma Y, Kashima M, Imaizumi A, Takahama H, Kawakami T, Mizoguchi M. Moisturizing effects of topical nicotinamide on atopic dry skin. Int J Dermatol. 2005;44(3):197-202.DOI 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02375.x PMID 15807725
9
Shariff R, Du Y, Dutta M, Kumar S 5th, Thimmaiah S, Doraiswamy C, Kumari A, Kale V, Nair N, Zhang S, Joshi M, Santhanam U, Qiang Q, Damodaran A. Superior even skin tone and anti-ageing benefit of a combination of 4-hexylresorcinol and niacinamide. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44(1):103-117.DOI 10.1111/ics.12759 PMID 34958693

What each point on this page rests on, with full citations.

What is Niacinamide?

What can you expect from it?

What won't it do?

Anything to watch out for?

What does it pair well with?

How much, and for how long?

Which products feature it?

리제덤365 모공탄력 캡슐세럼 (Korean)This brand publishes no English name for this product. The name above is as printed in Korean.

Are the claims about it backed up?

Which articles cover it?

Sources

What can you expect from it?

What won't it do?

Citations