Cosmetics · Quasi-drug actives
Niacinamide
ナイアシンアミド (Naiashin amido)
Also known as: Nicotinamide, Vitamin B3
At 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 MHLW-approved, Skin conditioning, Antioxidant |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Niacinamide is among the MHLW-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.
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
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Medicated anti-wrinkle products (薬用シワ改善)
- Brightening serums
- Moisturizing skincare
- Sensitive skin lines
What it is
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.
Typical uses in Japanese products
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. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.
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Related ingredients
References
- Japan PMDA — 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.