You might wonder about the differences between niacin vs niacinamide. You may also want to know which is better for your health and skin. Both niacin and niacinamide are types of vitamin B3, and each one helps your body and skin in its own way. Niacin can lower cholesterol and helps your heart stay healthy, while niacinamide makes your skin barrier stronger and can calm down skin irritation. The table below shows how popular niacinamide is in skincare:
Statistic Description | Value |
|---|---|
Market share of niacinamide in cosmeceuticals | |
Expected market valuation by 2027 | $1.6 billion |
As you read, think about what you need from B3 and consider what you want for your skin.
Key Takeaways
Niacin can lower cholesterol and helps your heart stay healthy. This makes it important for your heart and blood vessels.
Niacinamide makes the skin barrier stronger. It can help with redness and keeps skin moist. This makes it good for taking care of your skin.
Both niacin and niacinamide are types of vitamin B3. But they do different things in your body.
Think about your health needs before you pick niacin or niacinamide. Use niacin for your heart and niacinamide for your skin.
Always talk to a doctor before you start any supplements. This helps you stay safe and get the right amount.
What Are Niacin and Niacinamide?
Niacin Overview
Niacin is called vitamin B3 on supplement bottles. Niacin is a name for two types: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. You get niacin from foods like meat, fish, and grains. Your body uses niacin to turn food into energy. Niacin helps your nerves work well. It also keeps your skin healthy. Many people take niacin to help lower cholesterol. Niacin can help your heart stay strong.
Compound | Classification | |
|---|---|---|
Niacin | A colorless, water-soluble solid, derivative of pyridine with a carboxyl group at the 3-position. | Vitamin B3 (Niacin) |
Niacinamide | Contains a pyridine ring substituted at position 3 by a carboxamide group. | Amide of Nicotinic Acid |
Niacinamide Overview
Niacinamide is also called nicotinamide. It is another kind of vitamin B3. You see nicotinamide in many skin creams and pills. This compound is part of a group called nicotinamides. The structure has a pyridine ring with an amide group. Niacinamide helps fix cell damage. It makes your skin barrier stronger. You can use nicotinamide to calm red or irritated skin.
Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3.
Nicotinamide helps skin and cells work well.
You find nicotinamide in lots of creams and serums.
Chemical Relationship
Niacinamide comes from niacin after a simple change. Your body can turn niacin into nicotinamide. This happens in steps with special enzymes. These enzymes help change one molecule into another. The table below shows how this works:
Pathway | Enzyme | Product |
|---|---|---|
Niacin to Nicotinic Acid Mononucleotide | Phosphoribosyltransferases | Nicotinic Acid Mononucleotide |
Nicotinic Acid to Nicotinamide Mononucleotide | Phosphoribosyltransferases | Nicotinamide Mononucleotide |
Nicotinamide Riboside to Nicotinamide Mononucleotide | Nicotinamide Riboside Kinases (NRKs) | Nicotinamide Mononucleotide |
Nicotinic Acid Mononucleotide to NAD+ | Glutamine-dependent NAD+ Synthetase (NADSYN) | NAD+ |
Tip: Your body needs both niacin and niacinamide. They help make NAD+. NAD+ helps your cells make energy and stay healthy.
Niacin vs Niacinamide: Key Differences
Niacin and niacinamide are both part of the vitamin B3 family. They help your body, but in different ways. You might wonder which one is best for you. This section explains how they work, where to find them, and how your body uses them.
How They Work
Both niacin and niacinamide help your body make energy. They both turn into NAD+, which your cells need. But they work differently inside your body.
Niacin helps lower cholesterol and keeps your heart healthy. Doctors use it for people with high cholesterol.
Niacinamide is better for your skin and joints. It helps fix cells and protects your skin barrier.
You can see their main differences in this table:
B3 Form | Conversion to NAD+ | Key Benefits | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
Niacin (Nicotinic Acid) | 3-step process, moderate efficiency | Cardiovascular health, cholesterol management | Food sources, immediate-release supplements |
Niacinamide (Nicotinamide) | 2-step process, good efficiency | Skin health, joint function | Supplements, fortified foods, skincare products |
Note: Niacinamide is also called nicotinamide. Both help your body, but each has its own strengths.
Forms and Sources
You can get niacin and niacinamide from food and supplements. Both are found in animal and plant foods. You also see them in cereals and breads that have extra vitamins.
Food Category | Examples |
|---|---|
Animal Products | Red meat, beef liver, pork, poultry, fish |
Plant Sources | Brown rice, nuts, seeds, legumes, bananas |
Fortified Foods | Fortified cereals and breads |
You can also find them in:
Meat
Fish
Poultry
Avocado
Peanuts
Whole grains
Mushrooms
Green peas
Potatoes
Fortified cereals and refined grain products
Niacin comes as a supplement in two main types: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Some supplements have more than you need each day. High doses of niacin can make your skin feel hot and red. Prescription niacin is used for cholesterol and is made to work slowly.
Absorption and Metabolism
Your body uses niacin and niacinamide in different ways. Niacin needs more steps to become NAD+. Niacinamide changes faster and uses less energy.
Compound | Absorption Rate | Metabolic Pathway Description |
|---|---|---|
Niacin | Less efficient | Needs tryptophan, which is a costly way to make NAD+. |
Niacinamide | More efficient | Uses the NAMPT enzyme and less energy than tryptophan. |
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) | Fast absorption (2.5 min) | Skips the NAMPT step, so it turns into NAD+ quickly and raises NAD+ levels fast. |
If you want to raise NAD+ fast, nicotinamide riboside is the quickest. Niacinamide is also very good. Niacin takes more steps and uses more energy.
Tip: Think about your health goals when choosing between niacin and niacinamide. Niacin helps your heart. Niacinamide is good for your skin and joints.
Now you know the main differences between niacin and niacinamide. Both help your body, but they work in different ways. Pick the one that fits your needs.
Niacin and Niacinamide in Health
Niacin for Cholesterol and Heart
Niacin helps your heart stay healthy. Doctors give it to people who need help with cholesterol. If you take niacin, your body can raise HDL cholesterol by 25%. HDL is the good cholesterol. It helps clean fats from your blood. People hope that more HDL will protect their hearts. But research shows things are not so simple.
Niacin can make HDL-C go up by 25%.
Even if HDL goes up, niacin does not lower heart attacks or deaths.
Other medicines that raise HDL do not stop heart problems.
Study | Findings |
|---|---|
AIM-HIGH | Niacin ER did not help major heart events with statins. |
HPS2-THRIVE | Niacin ER did not make main results better. |
VA-HIT | Lowered risk of heart events with only a small rise in HDL-C. |
Niacin is still important for some people. You may need it if you cannot use other cholesterol drugs. Doctors start with 250 mg at night. They may add 250 mg each week. Most people take 1,000 to 2,000 mg every day. Some people need up to 3,000 mg, but this is rare. At 1,000 mg, HDL may go up a little. At 2,000 mg, LDL can drop by 25%.
Note: Niacin can change blood sugar. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor first.
If you do not get enough niacin, you can get pellagra. Pellagra causes skin rashes, diarrhea, and confusion. Doctors treat pellagra with niacin or nicotinamide.
Niacinamide for Cellular Health
Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, helps your cells in many ways. Your body uses nicotinamide to make NAD+. NAD+ gives energy to every cell. Without enough vitamin b3, your cells do not work well. Nicotinamide helps fix DNA. This keeps your cells strong and healthy. It also helps your body handle stress and fights damage from free radicals.
Evidence Description | Role in Cellular Health and Energy Metabolism |
|---|---|
Niacinamide is crucial for the synthesis of NAD+ | Essential for energy generation processes within cells |
Involvement in DNA repair and stress responses | Contributes to cellular longevity and health improvement |
Acts as a potent antioxidant | Tackles oxidative stress, a core factor in aging |
Balances cellular metabolites | Maintains cellular homeostasis and regulates redox status |
Nicotinamide does more than give energy. It helps your body heal after injury or stress. That is why you see it in many skin creams. It helps with skin problems by making the skin barrier stronger and lowering redness. If you want healthy cells, nicotinamide is a good choice.
Mental Health Benefits
Niacin and nicotinamide help your brain work well. Long ago, doctors used niacin for mental health problems like schizophrenia and anxiety. Some people say niacin helps their depression. But science does not show strong proof. Niacinamide may help with anxiety. High doses, up to 3,000 mg a day, have been safe and helpful for some people with anxiety.
Niacin was used for schizophrenia and anxiety, with some help.
Some people say niacin helps depression, but research does not prove it.
Niacinamide has helped some people with anxiety.
High doses of nicotinamide (up to 3,000 mg daily) have been safe and useful for anxiety.
A study found that eating about 36 mg of niacin each day may lower depression risk.
If you do not get enough b3, you can get pellagra. Pellagra can cause confusion, memory loss, and mood changes. Doctors treat pellagra with niacin or nicotinamide. This can fix these problems. Getting enough vitamin b3 helps your mind and body.
Tip: To help your mood and brain, eat foods or take supplements with niacin or nicotinamide.
Nicotinamide and niacin help your body heal and keep your mind sharp. They protect you from niacin deficiency, which can cause big health problems. Both can help your skin and mental health. Many people use nicotinamide for skin care and skin problems. Niacin helps treat pellagra and keeps skin healthy.
Niacinamide in Skincare
Skin Barrier Support
You want your skin to be strong and healthy. Niacinamide helps your skin barrier stay strong. When you use a serum with niacinamide, your skin keeps moisture in. It also blocks things that can bother your skin. This vitamin b3 boosts ceramides and free fatty acids. These are natural fats that keep skin soft and bendy.
Niacinamide helps your skin hold water and lose less.
It raises ceramides and free fatty acids in your skin.
It helps your skin make more proteins like keratin and filaggrin.
Nicotinamide helps your skin make sphingolipids, which keep skin moist.
You can find niacinamide in lots of skincare products. Using a serum with nicotinamide makes your skin barrier stronger.
Redness and Inflammation
If your skin gets red or irritated, nicotinamide can help calm it. Studies show niacinamide lowers swelling and soothes redness. You can see these results in different skin problems:
Study Type | Participants | Treatment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Double-blind, placebo-controlled | 44 female panelists | 5% niacinamide emulsion | Less redness and swelling after UV light |
Pilot study | 16 patients with acne | 4% niacinamide, 1% retinol, 0.5% 7-DHC | Lower levels of swelling genes after 45 days |
Observational study | 34 patients with rosacea | 0.25% N-methyl-nicotinamide gel | 76% saw better rosacea symptoms over four weeks |
A serum with nicotinamide can help lower redness and calm your skin. This makes niacinamide popular for sensitive or sore skin.
Anti-Aging Effects
Your skin changes as you get older. Nicotinamide helps slow aging by making skin smoother and more stretchy. Studies show niacinamide fades dark spots, smooths lines, and makes skin brighter.
Benefit | Improvement Percentage |
|---|---|
Fine lines and wrinkles | 21% |
Skin tone clarity | 14% |
Radiance improvement | 15% |
Nicotinamide also helps lighten dark spots by blocking tyrosinase. It makes skin smoother and stretchier by helping your skin make more proteins and stopping protein damage. Using niacinamide in your skincare helps your skin fix itself and look younger.
Tip: Use a serum with nicotinamide every day for smoother, brighter, and healthier skin.
Side Effects and Safety
Niacin Side Effects
Niacin can cause side effects, especially with high doses. The most common side effect is flushing. Your face, neck, or chest may turn red and feel warm. Some people feel itchy or tingly. You might also have an upset stomach or feel sick. Headaches or dizziness can happen too. Diarrhea is possible. High doses can hurt your liver.
Doctors sometimes give niacin for cholesterol. Always follow your doctor’s advice. If you feel chest pain or muscle weakness, call your doctor. If your skin turns yellow, get help right away.
Niacinamide Side Effects
Nicotinamide is usually safe for most people. You may see it called niacinamide on labels. Using high doses or strong creams can cause side effects. These can include lower blood pressure or very low blood pressure. It can affect how your body handles sugar. You might get headaches or feel dizzy. Your stomach may hurt or feel sick. Skin flushing or rash can happen. Your vision may get blurry. High doses can hurt your liver.
Category | Side Effects |
|---|---|
Cardiovascular | Lower blood pressure, very low blood pressure |
Metabolic | Problems with sugar, trouble with insulin |
Nervous system | Headache, dizziness |
Gastrointestinal | Nausea, heartburn, stomach pain |
Dermatologic | Skin flushing, rash |
Ocular | Blurry vision, eye swelling |
Hepatic | Liver problems (at 3000 mg/day) |
Other | Feeling tired |
You may also notice a rash or hives. Trouble breathing can mean an allergy. Confusion or thirst can mean high blood sugar. Dark urine or yellow skin can mean liver problems. Muscle pain or weakness can happen. Chest pain or pressure is a warning sign. Dizziness or fainting can happen. Shortness of breath or sweating is possible. Diarrhea or easy bruising can happen too.
If you use strong nicotinamide creams, your skin may get red or itchy. It may burn. Most people do well with lower amounts like 1-2%. Studies show nicotinamide does not cause cancer. It does not cause big skin problems at normal levels. Research shows nicotinamide is safe and works well in skincare.
Who Should Avoid Each?
Some people should not use niacin or nicotinamide. You should avoid these if you have liver disease. High liver enzymes are a reason to avoid them. Peptic ulcers are another reason. Bleeding from arteries is also a reason.
If you have any of these health problems, talk to your doctor first. The United States and European Union say niacin and nicotinamide are safe at normal levels. Always ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.
How to Use Niacin and Niacinamide
Supplementation Tips
You can take vitamin b3 supplements to help your health. If you want to use niacin or niacinamide, begin with a low dose. The safe limit for niacinamide is 35 mg each day. Taking more can upset your stomach or give you a headache. Always talk to your doctor before you start any supplement. Doctors need to watch you if you take high doses of niacin. Your doctor may check your liver and blood sugar to keep you safe.
Start with a small amount if your skin is sensitive.
Mix niacinamide with other products like vitamin C or retinol.
Put niacinamide serum with your moisturizer to make it easy.
Ask your doctor for advice that fits you.
Tip: Regular doctor visits help you avoid side effects and get the most from vitamin b3 supplements.
Topical Application
You can use niacinamide in your skincare to help your skin. First, wash your face with a gentle cleanser. You can use toner if you want. Put on niacinamide serum every other day at first. After the serum, use a moisturizer. Use sunscreen during the day to protect your skin. Niacinamide works well with retinoids and vitamin C. It helps your skin stay moist when you use it with hyaluronic acid.
Wash your face.
Use toner (if you want).
Put on niacinamide serum.
Use moisturizer.
Use sunscreen.
Niacinamide helps stop irritation from retinoids and keeps skin moist. You can use it in the morning and at night. Start with a lower amount, like 2-5%, and use more as your skin gets used to it.
Choosing the Right Form
Pick the type of vitamin B3 that matches your health goals. The table below shows which kind is best for different needs:
Health Goal | Recommended Form | Dosage/Notes |
|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular health and lipid management | Standard niacin | Start with 100mg, slowly increase to see how you feel. |
Skin health and inflammation | Niacinamide (2-10% topical) | Choose products without things that can bother your skin. |
Cellular energy and longevity support | NAD+ precursors | Use with other helpful compounds for best results. |
General advice | N/A | Ask your doctor, store right, and use the right amount. |
Niacinamide cream goes into your skin and helps right there. Pills work all over your body. A study showed that taking niacinamide pills (500 mg twice a day) lowered new skin cancers by 23% in people at high risk. When you add vitamin b3 to your routine, pick the type that fits your needs and lifestyle.
You can find the biggest differences between niacin and niacinamide in this table. Niacin helps your heart and lowers cholesterol. Niacinamide is good for your skin and is used in many skincare products. You should read product labels and ask your doctor before picking one. Some people think niacinamide is just for acne or oily skin. But it helps every skin type and makes skin look younger, more moist, and even in color.
Aspect | Niacin | Niacinamide |
|---|---|---|
Primary Benefits | Cardiovascular health, lowers cholesterol | Skin health, anti-inflammatory effects |
Side Effects | Flushing, risk at high doses | No flushing, safer for most people |
FAQ
What is the main difference between niacin and niacinamide?
Niacin lowers cholesterol and supports heart health. Niacinamide helps your skin and cells. Both are vitamin B3, but they work in different ways inside your body.
Can you use niacinamide and niacin together?
You can use both, but you should talk to your doctor first. Niacinamide is safe for skin. Niacin works best for cholesterol. Your doctor can help you choose the right amount.
Is niacinamide safe for sensitive skin?
Yes, niacinamide is gentle. You can use it on sensitive skin. Start with a low amount, like 2%. If your skin feels itchy or red, stop and ask your doctor.
How long does it take to see results from niacinamide in skincare?
You may see smoother skin in two to four weeks. Dark spots and redness can fade after four to eight weeks. Use niacinamide daily for best results.
