# A-14 — Niacinamide

The one molecule in this register that appears in almost every compounded formula and is almost never the reason it works. Well tolerated, sensibly dosed, quietly useful.

- **Canonical:** https://www.30plusskin.care/actives/niacinamide
- **Site:** 30+/SKIN — Skincare, published as a spec sheet.
- **Issue:** ISSUE NO. 12 / REV. 2026.08
- **Standing terms:** INDEPENDENT · AFFILIATE-FUNDED · NOT MEDICAL ADVICE

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## Datasheet

- **INN / INCI:** Niacinamide
- **Also known as:** Nicotinamide, vitamin B3
- **Family:** Vitamin B3 derivative
- **Molecular weight:** 122.12 g/mol
- **Layer reached:** EPIDERMIS
- **Prescription only:** no
- **Evidence grade:** B
- **Controlled trials on file:** 0
- **Strength range recorded:** 4%–5%
- **Best-evidenced strength:** 4%
- **Irritation (0–10):** 1
- **Onset:** 8–12 WK
- **Stability:** STABLE ACROSS THE USUAL FORMULATION RANGE

## Mechanism

Precursor to NAD+ and NADPH. Increases ceramide synthesis, reduces melanosome transfer to keratinocytes, and moderates sebum output and inflammatory signalling.

## Measured endpoints

_None on file._

## Layering

- **Do not layer with:** —
- **Pairs with:** Tretinoin, Azelaic acid, Hydroquinone

## Notes

- Where this register has found a published concentration it has been 4% or 5%, which is inside the usual effective range. It is the one active compounders consistently dose correctly.
- It is present in most of these formulas to make the irritants in them survivable, which is a legitimate job and not the same as being the active.
- No controlled trial in this register's evidence base tests it. That is a gap in the register, not evidence against the molecule.
- One service names it as half of a 'dynamic duo' in its own marketing and publishes no concentration for it anywhere.

## Products in the register containing it

| No. | Product | Stance | Score | Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-43 | Nurx Prescription Skincare | CONDITIONAL | 74/100 | /reviews/nurx-prescription-skincare |
| R-44 | Dear Brightly Night Shift Rx | CONDITIONAL | 61/100 | /reviews/dear-brightly-night-shift |
| R-45 | Skin + Me The Daily Doser | CONDITIONAL | 70/100 | /reviews/skin-and-me-daily-doser |
| R-28 | Alloy M4 Face Cream Rx | CAUTION | 59/100 | /reviews/alloy-m4-face-cream |

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## Elsewhere in the register

- [Review register](/reviews)
- [Active monographs](/actives)
- [Brand register](/brands)
- [Evidence register](/evidence)
- [The ledger](/ledger)
- [How we test](/how-we-test)
- [Agent guide](/llms.txt)
- [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)

_EVERY FIGURE RESOLVES TO A RECORD. NO NUMBER ON THIS SITE IS AUTHORED BY US._