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Brightening

Niacinamide Vitamin B3

BarrierFirmness / AgingBrightening
INCI: Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
In short · TL;DR
Category
Brightening
Effect
Wrinkle improvement, melanin suppression, barrier strengthening, NAD+ precursor
Concentration
2–5% (concentrations used in clinical studies: 2% and 5% in Hakozaki 2002, 5% in Bissett 2005). Japanese quasi-drug precedents (MHLW list, nicotinamide): lotion 0.1–5%, cream/milk 0.1–3.5%. Approved concentrations for brightening or wrinkle claims are not in this list.
Effect
Wrinkle improvement, melanin suppression, barrier strengthening, NAD+ precursor
Mechanism
NAD+ replenishment via salvage pathway → SIRT1 activation. NF-κB suppression. Melanosome transfer inhibition
Typical concentration
2–5% (concentrations used in clinical studies: 2% and 5% in Hakozaki 2002, 5% in Bissett 2005). Japanese quasi-drug precedents (MHLW list, nicotinamide): lotion 0.1–5%, cream/milk 0.1–3.5%. Approved concentrations for brightening or wrinkle claims are not in this list.
Onset
Hyperpigmentation: improved vs vehicle after 4 weeks (Hakozaki 2002, 2% and 5%). Fine lines, hyperpigmentation and redness: improved at 5% over 12 weeks (Bissett 2005). The timeframe for barrier effects is not confirmed by primary sources.
Cautions
In CIR (2005) clinical data, no stinging up to 10%, and no irritation in use tests up to 5% or a 21-day cumulative irritation test. Irritation above 10% is not confirmed by primary sources.
Evidence & references
Hakozaki 2002 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12100180/ / Bissett 2005 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16029679/ / CIR 2005 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16596767/ / MHLW active-ingredient list (checked 2026-10-20)
Journal

Related Journal

10
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This page is reference information and does not guarantee efficacy. Figures vary by test conditions (in vitro / manufacturer / concentration). It does not indicate pharmaceutical efficacy.
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