This is a brief extract from a professional article talking about Nicotinamide, which is an increasingly prolific and effective skincare ingredient in the daily routines of many. The complete article is lengthy and at rather technical but still, offers an excellent insight into why Nicotinamide is such a useful remedy to help with a number of skincare conditions. The italics, here are mine. The link and citation for the full article are shown below.
Nicotinamide (NAM)—also known as niacinamide—is the amid form of vitamin B3 and is a critical precursor for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate is a chemical compound that acts as an electron donor in all organisms ... but you knew that!). By participating in key oxidation–reduction reactions, NAD⁺ supports cellular homeostasis, metabolism, ATP (A substance present in all living cells that provides energy for many metabolic processes and is involved in making RNA.) production, mitochondrial respiration, ROS (Review of Symptoms) management, DNA repair, and processes related to aging. Studies show that NAM supplementation restores cellular energy, contributes to DNA damage repair, and suppresses inflammation by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
NAM is naturally present in a variety of foods, including meat, liver, fish, yeast, legumes, nuts, grain products, green leafy vegetables, cereals, coffee, and tea making it an essential component of the daily diet. A deficiency of NAM is the primary cause of pellagra, an endemic disease characterised by the triad of dementia, diarrhoea, and dermatitis.
Unlike other vitamin B3 derivatives (e.g., nicotinic acid, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide), NAM generally shows excellent tolerability—even at doses up to 3 g/day—with fewer adverse effects. Unlike its derivates, such as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide, which may cause side effects like flushing, itching, hypotension, and headaches, NAM is generally safe and well-tolerated, even at high doses (up 3 mg/die), with rare adverse effects observed over prolonged treatments
Nicotinamide emerges as a versatile, well-tolerated, and clinically relevant molecule with broad applications in dermatology and beyond. As a NAD+ precursor, it supports multiple cellular functions that are central to maintaining genomic stability and metabolic homeostasis. By facilitating DNA repair, modulating inflammatory pathways, and attenuating oxidative stress, nicotinamide not only assists in preventing cellular damage but also counters processes that drive aging and carcinogenesis.
In the skin, its robust profile is evident: from photoaging and non-melanoma skin cancer prevention to the management of acne, atopic dermatitis, and other chronic inflammatory conditions, nicotinamide exhibits preventive, reparative, and protective properties that improve both clinical outcomes and patient quality of life.
Although its safety profile is well-established even at high doses, questions remain regarding the precise mechanisms through which it exerts its beneficial effects—whether entirely through NAD-dependent pathways or via other yet-to-be-clarified molecular interactions. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the long-term safety and efficacy of nicotinamide supplementation, to optimize dosing strategies, and to identify potential synergistic formulations. Besides, the identification of new biomarkers linked with the efficacy of NAM treatment will allow a better classification of patients that can take advantage of NAM administration and predict its positive response.
As our understanding deepens, nicotinamide may become a key pillar in integrated therapeutic approaches for a range of skin conditions and systemic diseases, bridging the gap between nutritional supplementation, pharmacological intervention, and preventive healthcare strategies.
Citation:
Camillo, L.; Zavattaro, E.; Savoia, P. Nicotinamide: A Multifaceted Molecule in Skin Health and Beyond. Medicina 2025, 61, 254. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61020254. Department of Health Science, Università del Piemonte Orientale, 28100 Novara, Italy
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