What it is
DermNet describes nicotinamide, also known as niacinamide, as the water-soluble, active form of vitamin B3. It is found in small amounts in foods such as yeast, lean meat, fish, nuts and legumes, and it is added to many topical products, including some sunscreens and cosmetics.
It is not the same as nicotinic acid, another form of vitamin B3. DermNet notes that nicotinamide does not cause the flushing that nicotinic acid can.
What it can do for skin tone
In clinical studies summarised by DermNet, topical nicotinamide improved hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness and sallowness, as well as fine lines and elasticity, in ageing skin. That makes it a common supporting ingredient in routines aimed at a more even-looking complexion.
Supporting is the right word. Niacinamide is a gentle, widely used option, but it is not a treatment that clears melasma on its own, and it does not protect against ultraviolet or visible light.
Tablets are a separate conversation
Oral nicotinamide has been studied in a different setting. DermNet reports that trials in people with extensive sun damage who had already had certain skin cancers suggested fewer new lesions over time. That is a medical decision for people at high risk, made with a doctor, and it is not a reason to take tablets for pigmentation.
Using it in a UAE routine
Niacinamide is usually easy to fit in: a serum or moisturiser after cleansing, followed in the morning by broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Introduce one new product at a time, and stop if it stings or causes a rash. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or your marks are changing or not improving, ask your clinician to review the whole routine.
Where this term appears
Related terms
Sources
- DermNet: Nicotinamide. dermnetnz.org. Accessed October 2026.