*Vitamin B3

TL;DR. This ingredient is a water-soluble skin-conditioning active used for barrier support, uneven tone, visible redness, and oiliness. It is most often used in leave-on serums, moisturizers, and treatments rather than as a structural emulsifier or preservative.

What does *Vitamin B3 do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is a water-soluble skin-conditioning active used for barrier support, uneven tone, visible redness, and oiliness. It is most often used in leave-on serums, moisturizers, and treatments rather than as a structural emulsifier or preservative.

Is *Vitamin B3 clean?

This ingredient is broadly accepted in clean-beauty frameworks because it is non-fragrance, low-allergen, and well studied. Sensitivity is usually formula-dependent, with higher levels or very low pH sometimes causing stinging or temporary flushing.

Is *Vitamin B3 sustainable?

This ingredient is usually made by chemical synthesis rather than direct botanical extraction, often from petrochemical or commodity chemical feedstocks. It is water soluble, used at low percentages, and is not known for environmental persistence or bioaccumulation.

Is *Vitamin B3 COSMOS-approved?

It is not automatically permitted in COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural formulas, certification depends on a compliant natural-origin or approved nature-identical grade, while conventional synthetic grades generally do not qualify. From a Green Chemistry view, its low use level and low persistence are positives, while nonrenewable feedstock and multi-step synthesis are the main compromises.

How does *Vitamin B3 work chemically?

This compound is a small, water-soluble heteroaromatic amide used most often at 2; 5%, with some leave-on formulas using up to about 10%. It is most stable around pH 5; 7, and high heat or strongly acidic or alkaline conditions can increase conversion to a related acidic form associated with temporary flushing.

Last updated 2026-08-22