Niacinamide (Nicotinamide): Skin and Skin Cancer Studies
App Library Tools Pricing Download
[Supplement · Compound guide]

Niacinamide (Nicotinamide): half-life, strengths and approval status

Amounts studied · Approval status · Half-life notes

What is niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3. It is used in skin creams and serums, and as an oral supplement it has been studied for preventing new skin cancers in people at high risk.

Also known as: nicotinamide, vitamin B3.

Amounts studied

Skin products list niacinamide as a percentage. The cream study below used a 5% niacinamide moisturizer, and the skin cancer trials used 500 mg by mouth twice a day. These are study protocols, not a recommendation.

Approval status and how it is used

On the skin: in a 12-week split-face study of 50 women aged 40 to 60 (Bissett 2004), a moisturizer with 5% niacinamide improved fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, texture, red blotchiness and yellowing compared with the same moisturizer without it, and was well tolerated.

By mouth: in a trial of 386 people who had had at least two non-melanoma skin cancers in the past 5 years (Chen 2015), 500 mg of nicotinamide twice a day for 12 months lowered the rate of new non-melanoma skin cancers by 23% compared with placebo, and lowered precancerous actinic keratoses; side effects were similar, and there was no benefit after it was stopped. In a later trial in 158 organ-transplant recipients (Allen 2023), stopped early because of slow recruitment, it did not lower new skin cancers (207 versus 210).

Niacinamide half-life and time to peak

  • Half-lifeNot listed
  • Time to peak (Tmax)Not listed

We could not find a published half-life or time to peak for niacinamide that we could cite, so we do not list one.

How to track niacinamide in Dose Track

  1. Add niacinamide as a custom compound. Start typing its name and Dose Track fills in the details from its research library for you to check, and it sits next to everything else you take.
  2. Log each application or tablet when you use it, so your history shows exactly what you used and when.
  3. Set reminders on your own schedule, whether that is daily, weekly or every few days.
  4. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

How Dose Track handles peptides · Reconstitution calculator · Half-life calculator

TretinoinRetin-A, Renova Azelaic AcidFinacea, Azelex · half-life about 12 hours (after use on the skin) BakuchiolPsoralea corylifolia extract Oral NAD+ Precursors (NR and NMN)nicotinamide riboside, NR

Frequently asked questions

What is the half-life of niacinamide?+
We could not find a published half-life or time to peak for niacinamide that we could cite, so we do not list one.
Does nicotinamide prevent skin cancer?+
In people with at least two prior non-melanoma skin cancers, a 12-month trial found 500 mg twice a day lowered new ones by 23% versus placebo, with no benefit after stopping. A trial in organ-transplant recipients found no reduction.
Can I track niacinamide in Dose Track?+
Yes. Niacinamide is in Dose Track's research library, so when you add it as a custom compound its details are filled in for you to check. You can then log each dose next to your other compounds, set reminders on your own schedule, and see your history next to your lab results. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

Sources

  1. Bissett DL, et al. Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2004;26(5):231-238.
  2. Chen AC, et al. A phase 3 randomized trial of nicotinamide for skin-cancer chemoprevention. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1618-1626.
  3. Allen NC, et al. Nicotinamide for skin-cancer chemoprevention in transplant recipients. N Engl J Med. 2023;388(9):804-812.

All compound guides · Reconstitution calculator · Supported medications