Niacinamide
Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3, a white, water-soluble crystalline powder. It is made synthetically, usually by hydrolysis of 3-cyanopyridine, which comes from petrochemical pyridine intermediates, and then crystallized and dried. In cosmetics it is a water-phase ingredient that dissolves readily and holds up well to heat and light in near-neutral formulas; the same molecule is also sold in food, supplement and feed grades.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Grades made for personal care with a low, guaranteed limit on residual nicotinic acid, the hydrolysis by-product.
Material tested to pharmacopeia or Food Chemicals Codex monographs, used in supplements, foods and as the base for many cosmetic grades.
Larger or coated particles for tableting, premixes and dry blends where flow and dust matter.
Lower-cost grade for animal nutrition; not appropriate for cosmetics or human food.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Niacinamide is chemically stable as a dry powder but slightly hygroscopic, so keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry place. In formulas, strong acids or bases and high heat over time can hydrolyze it to nicotinic acid, so finished-product stability testing matters more than raw-material shelf life. Suppliers give a retest or expiry date; assay and nicotinic acid content are the usual retest checks.
Track nicotinic acid content per lot for cosmetic use, since it is the spec that separates a PC grade from a general USP grade. Keep cosmetic, USP/food and feed grades as separate inventory items so the wrong grade cannot be picked, and rotate by retest date.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU CosIng database lists NIACINAMIDE (CAS 98-92-0, EC 202-713-4) with the cosmetic function smoothing.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)Under FDA cosmetic labeling rules (21 CFR 701.3), ingredients are declared in descending order of predominance.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Under MoCRA, facilities that manufacture or process cosmetics must register with FDA and renew every two years.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Indianapolis, IN
US specialty materials manufacturer that sells Niacinamide USP PC, a personal-care grade with low nicotinic acid content.
Manufacturer · Kaiseraugst, Switzerland
Sells it as Niacinamide PC
Global nutrition and beauty ingredients company that makes Quali-C vitamin C in Dalry, Scotland, and vitamin D3 in Sisseln, Switzerland, and sells cosmetic-grade niacinamide.
Manufacturer · Noida, India
Indian life-science chemicals company that supplies niacinamide from its own integrated vitamin B3 production, offered against multiple pharmacopeia standards.
Mumbai, India
Indian vitamin B3 and pyridine chemicals company that lists niacinamide in pharmacopeia, feed and cosmetic grades, in powder and granular forms.
Distributor · Redmond, WA
US supplier of cosmetic ingredients repackaged in retail and bulk sizes, covering actives, butters, oils, waxes and emulsifiers for brands, contract manufacturers and independent formulators.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include cosmetic (PC) grade, uSP / Ph. Eur. / FCC grade, granular or coated and feed grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect assay, identity, nicotinic acid content, loss on drying and residue on ignition, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Niacinamide is chemically stable as a dry powder but slightly hygroscopic, so keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry place. In formulas, strong acids or bases and high heat over time can hydrolyze it to nicotinic acid, so finished-product stability testing matters more than raw-material shelf life. Suppliers give a retest or expiry date; assay and nicotinic acid content are the usual retest checks.
The EU CosIng database lists NIACINAMIDE (CAS 98-92-0, EC 202-713-4) with the cosmetic function smoothing. Under FDA cosmetic labeling rules (21 CFR 701.3), ingredients are declared in descending order of predominance. Under MoCRA, facilities that manufacture or process cosmetics must register with FDA and renew every two years.
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.