Niacin ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is used as a skin-conditioning active, mainly to support the appearance of tone, texture, and barrier comfort. In practice, it is used less often than its amide counterpart because it is more sensory-active on skin.
What does Niacin do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is used as a skin-conditioning active, mainly to support the appearance of tone, texture, and barrier comfort. In practice, it is used less often than its amide counterpart because it is more sensory-active on skin.
Is Niacin clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is generally accepted, but it carries an irritation and flushing caveat, especially at higher levels or in acidic formulas. It is not a typical restricted-list concern, but brands often choose gentler related forms for leave-on products.
Is Niacin sustainable?
This ingredient is commonly made by industrial synthesis, often from petrochemical-derived intermediates, though bio-based routes are possible. It is water-soluble and expected to have low environmental persistence compared with hydrophobic film-formers or silicones.
Is Niacin COSMOS-approved?
This ingredient can fit COSMOS formulas only when the specific grade meets the standard’s source and processing requirements, so certification depends on documentation rather than the molecule alone. Its Green Chemistry profile is mixed, with good low-persistence behavior but common reliance on synthetic feedstocks.
How does Niacin work chemically?
The molecule is a small water-soluble heteroaromatic carboxylic acid with ionization behavior shaped by acidic and ring-nitrogen sites, including a carboxyl pKa around 4.8. It is generally stable in water-based formulas, but formulators use it cautiously in leave-on products because low pH and higher concentrations can increase stinging, warmth, or visible flushing.
Last updated 2026-05-13