Cosmetics · Quasi-drug actives
Niacinamide
ナイアシンアミド (Naiashin amido)
Also known as: Nicotinamide, Vitamin B3
Looking for a Japanese supplier of Niacinamide? Tell usAt a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Niacinamide↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | ナイアシンアミド |
| Common Japanese notations | ナイアシンアミド, ニコチン酸アミド |
| CAS number | 98-92-0↗ |
| Origin | Synthetic (B-vitamin) |
| Typical functions | Quasi-drug active for anti-wrinkle (シワ改善) where 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)-approved, Skin conditioning, Antioxidant |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Niacinamide is among the 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)-approved quasi-drug active ingredients for anti-wrinkle (シワ改善) claims. General cosmetic use without quasi-drug claims is also permitted under the JSCI dictionary. |
Niacinamide — also known as nicotinamide or vitamin B3 — is one of the most versatile actives in modern Japanese cosmetics. In Japan it has both general cosmetic use and approved quasi-drug status for specific functional claims, including anti-wrinkle (シワ改善) — a category that opened up to cosmetic-adjacent claims relatively recently in the Japanese regulatory framework.
Find OEM manufacturers
Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Medicated anti-wrinkle products (薬用シワ改善)
- Brightening serums
- Moisturizing skincare
- Sensitive skin lines
Ingredient profile
Niacinamide is the amide form of niacin (vitamin B3). It functions as a precursor to NAD+ and NADP+ in cellular metabolism, and in topical formulations contributes to multiple skin-function pathways including ceramide synthesis support.
OEM applications
In Japanese cosmetics, niacinamide appears in medicated anti-wrinkle products, brightening serums, and general moisturizing skincare. It is one of the most-used quasi-drug-eligible actives across the Japanese market.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Approved as a quasi-drug active for specific claims including anti-wrinkle. General cosmetic use is also permitted under the JSCI dictionary.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Listed in CosIng. Permitted for cosmetic use. |
|---|---|
| USA | INCI recognized. Widely used. |
| China | Permitted per IECIC listings. |
| Korea | Approved as a functional cosmetic ingredient under KFDA / MFDS for whitening and anti-wrinkle claims. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Typical OEM use levels
Formulation ranges per finished-product application. Verify against the cited source before production.
| Application | Typical range | Regulatory limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quasi-drug whitening / wrinkle-care serum (Japan) | 2–5% | Capped per 厚生労働省 quasi-drug notification per product | Approved as both whitening (美白) and anti-wrinkle (シワ改善) active(厚生労働省 医薬部外品有効成分通知) |
| Cosmetic moisturizer / serum (general) | 2–10% | — | Higher levels (>5%) can cause flushing in sensitive skin |
Stability & compatibility
- pH range
- pH 5.0–7.0
- Temperature
- Can hydrolyze to nicotinic acid at extreme pH or prolonged heat; standard cosmetic processing is fine
- Incompatibilities
- L-ascorbic acid at low pH (potential niacin formation under heat)
Very stable in finished products. Combine with vitamin-C derivatives (ascorbyl glucoside, MAP) instead of pure L-ascorbic acid for stable brightening blends.
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Room temperature ≤30°C
- Conditions
- Dry, sealed; protect from prolonged moisture
- Shelf life
- 36 months sealed
EU CosIng + supplier SDS
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Synthetic; majority of global volume from China and India
- Import dependence
- Japan imports nearly all cosmetic / pharma-grade niacinamide
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| GMP (cosmetic / quasi-drug) | Standard | |
| Halal | Common | Major suppliers (DSM, Lonza, etc.) hold Halal cert |
| Kosher | Common | |
| Vegan | Common | Synthetic origin |
| COSMOS | Rare | Standard synthetic niacinamide is not COSMOS-Approved; bio-derived versions exist |
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Niacinamide?
- Niacinamide — also known as nicotinamide or vitamin B3 — is one of the most versatile actives in modern Japanese cosmetics. In Japan it has both general cosmetic use and approved quasi-drug status for specific functional claims, including anti-wrinkle (シワ改善) — a category that opened up to cosmetic-adjacent claims relatively recently in the Japanese regulatory framework.
- What is the regulatory status of Niacinamide in Japan?
- Niacinamide is among the 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)-approved quasi-drug active ingredients for anti-wrinkle (シワ改善) claims. General cosmetic use without quasi-drug claims is also permitted under the JSCI dictionary.
- What products typically use Niacinamide?
- Medicated anti-wrinkle products (薬用シワ改善) / Brightening serums / Moisturizing skincare / Sensitive skin lines
- Where does Niacinamide come from?
- Synthetic (B-vitamin)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Niacinamide?
- INCI: Niacinamide / JSCI: ナイアシンアミド
Explore related ingredients
Used in similar product applications
Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
Facial skincareBody careHair care
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Facial skincareBody careHair care
Camellia Sasanqua Seed Oil
Facial skincareBody careHair care
Chamaecyparis Obtusa Extract
Facial skincareBody careHair care
Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract
Facial skincareBody careHair care
Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What quasi-drug claims can niacinamide anchor in Japan?
Niacinamide is approved as a quasi-drug active for both whitening (美白) and anti-wrinkle (シワ改善) claims in Japan; the latter via Pola/Shiseido-led approvals around 2016–2017. Finished products with these claims must be filed as quasi-drugs.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — quasi-drug actives for whitening and anti-wrinkle (niacinamide)
Q. What is the typical Japan quasi-drug use level?
Anti-wrinkle quasi-drugs commonly use niacinamide at 3–4% (the Pola Wrinkle-Shot reference level was around 4%); whitening quasi-drugs typically use it at 2–5%.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — Japanese niacinamide quasi-drug formulations
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. Are there any China NMPA registration notes?
Niacinamide is on China's IECIC inventory and is one of the most-used brightening actives in NMPA-registered cosmetics; no special-purpose cosmetic filing is required for general-cosmetic brightening positioning.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- China NMPA — IECIC (Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China)
Q. What stability and incompatibility issues should I watch for?
Niacinamide is highly water-soluble and stable across pH 5–7; it can form niacin (with associated odor) under prolonged low pH or high temperature, so avoid hot processing under acidic conditions. Combination with low-pH L-ascorbic acid is generally fine in modern formulations contrary to older claims.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — niacinamide formulation practice
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Use cases
Medicated anti-wrinkle cream / eye cream
- Positioning
- Pola Wrinkle Shot-style premium anti-wrinkle quasi-drug
- Typical usage level
- 3–4% (Japan quasi-drug)
- Formulation notes
- pH 5–6.5; combine with peptides; quasi-drug filing required for シワ改善 claim.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese anti-wrinkle quasi-drug category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Medicated whitening serum
- Positioning
- Multi-claim medicated whitening line
- Typical usage level
- 2–5% (Japan quasi-drug)
- Formulation notes
- Combined with tranexamic acid or ascorbyl glucoside in dual-active products.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese whitening quasi-drug category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Brightening toner / lotion
- Positioning
- Mass-market daily-use brightening cosmetic
- Typical usage level
- 2–5%
- Formulation notes
- Water-soluble; widely accepted across all major export markets including China.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — global brightening cosmetic
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Pore / sebum-control gel
- Positioning
- Combination skin / oily skin daily care
- Formulation notes
- Used at 2–5% with salicylic acid (within Japan quasi-drug acne approvals) for combination claims.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — pore-care segment
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Sheet mask
- Positioning
- Brightening + barrier daily mask
- Formulation notes
- Stable at 2–5% in mask serum; pair with HA and panthenol.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Asian sheet mask category
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Search the academic literature
Pre-filled queries for the major research databases. Opens in a new tab.
Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- Japan 医薬品医療機器総合機構 PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — quasi-drug active ingredient approval registry
- EU CosIng entry: Niacinamide
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.