Vitamin B3 is the collective name for niacin and niacinamide forms used in nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and personal care formulations, and Vitamin B3 is valued for supporting energy metabolism as an essential nutrient and for well-known skin benefits in topical applications.
Vitamin B3 is widely used in dietary supplements and fortified foods to support normal metabolic function, and Vitamin B3 is also used in skincare as niacinamide to help improve barrier function, even skin tone, and overall skin appearance in compatible formulations.
Vitamin B3 is typically supplied as a white crystalline powder, and Vitamin B3 performance depends on whether the form is niacin (nicotinic acid) or niacinamide (nicotinamide), as well as purity, particle size, and formulation pH and stability requirements.
CAS Number: 59-67-6 (niacin; nicotinic acid) / 98-92-0 (niacinamide; nicotinamide)
EC Number: 200-441-0 (niacin) / 202-713-4 (niacinamide)
Molecular Formula: C6H5NO2 (niacin) / C6H6N2O (niacinamide)
Molecular Weight: 123.11 g/mol (niacin) / 122.12 g/mol (niacinamide)
Synonyms: Vitamin B3, Niacin, Nicotinic Acid, Niacinamide, Nicotinamide, Vitamin PP, Pellagra-Preventive Vitamin, Vitamin B3 Powder, Niacin USP, Niacinamide USP, Nicotinamide Powder, Vitamin B3 Nutrient, Vitamin B3, Niacin, Niacinamide, Nicotinamide, Nicotinic Acid, Pyridine-3-carboxylic Acid, 3-Pyridinecarboxylic Acid, Nicotinic Acid Vitamin, Niacin Vitamin, Vitamin PP, Pellagra-Preventive Factor, Anti-Pellagra Vitamin, Niacin Factor, Nicotinamide Vitamin B3, Niacinamide Vitamin B3, Nicotinic Acid Vitamin B3, B3 Vitamin, Water Soluble Vitamin B3, Vitamin B Complex B3, B-Complex Vitamin B3, Niacin Powder, Nicotinamide Powder, Niacinamide Powder, Nicotinic Acid Powder, Food Grade Vitamin B3, Feed Grade Vitamin B3, Pharmaceutical Grade Vitamin B3, Cosmetic Grade Vitamin B3, Nutritional Grade Vitamin B3, Supplement Grade Vitamin B3, High Purity Vitamin B3, Industrial Vitamin B3, Technical Grade Vitamin B3, Vitamin B3 Additive, Vitamin B3 Nutrient, Vitamin B3 Fortificant, Vitamin B3 Dietary Supplement, Niacin Dietary Supplement, Nicotinamide Dietary Supplement, Niacinamide Dietary Supplement
APPLICATIONS
Vitamin B3 is used in dietary supplements to support normal energy metabolism and nervous system function.
Vitamin B3 is incorporated into multivitamin tablets and capsules as niacin or niacinamide depending on desired physiological effect and tolerance.
Vitamin B3 is used in sports nutrition and wellness products in selected applications to support nutrient completeness.
Vitamin B3 is used in fortified foods such as cereals and beverages to increase micronutrient content.
Vitamin B3 is incorporated into flour and grain fortification programs where enrichment standards require niacin contribution.
Vitamin B3 is used in nutritional powders to support balanced vitamin profiles.
Vitamin B3 is used in skincare formulations mainly as niacinamide to improve barrier function and reduce appearance of uneven skin tone.
Vitamin B3 is incorporated into serums and moisturizers to support smoother texture and improved skin brightness in compatible formulations.
Vitamin B3 is used in acne-prone skincare in selected applications to support oil balance and reduce visible redness.
Vitamin B3 is used in hair and scalp products in selected applications to support scalp comfort and improve appearance of hair quality.
Vitamin B3 is incorporated into shampoos and conditioners in selected formulations as part of vitamin-based marketing and feel claims.
Vitamin B3 is used in leave-in products in selected applications where water-soluble actives are desired.
Vitamin B3 is valued because Vitamin B3 supports essential nutritional functions and, particularly as niacinamide, provides versatile cosmetic benefits with good stability and broad formulation compatibility.
Vitamin B3 is used in dietary supplement formulations.
Vitamin B3 helps provide niacin nutrition in capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids.
Vitamin B3 is used in multivitamin products.
Vitamin B3 supports balanced vitamin intake in daily nutrition formulas.
Vitamin B3 is used in B-complex supplements.
Vitamin B3 helps complement other B vitamins in energy-support formulations.
Vitamin B3 is used in fortified food products.
Vitamin B3 helps increase the nutritional value of cereals, flours, beverages, and snack products.
Vitamin B3 is used in food fortification programs.
Vitamin B3 supports prevention of niacin deficiency in population nutrition systems.
Vitamin B3 is used in animal feed premixes.
Vitamin B3 helps support normal growth, metabolism, and productivity in livestock and poultry.
Vitamin B3 is used in pet nutrition products.
Vitamin B3 supports vitamin enrichment in dog and cat food formulations.
Vitamin B3 is used in aquaculture feed formulations.
Vitamin B3 helps support metabolic function in fish and shrimp nutrition.
Vitamin B3 is used in pharmaceutical preparations.
Vitamin B3 may be included in products intended to treat or prevent niacin deficiency.
Vitamin B3 is used in clinical nutrition products.
Vitamin B3 supports vitamin intake in enteral and specialized nutritional formulas.
Vitamin B3 is used in energy metabolism supplement products.
Vitamin B3 supports formulations related to carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
Vitamin B3 is used in sports nutrition products.
Vitamin B3 helps support nutrient profiles for active individuals.
Vitamin B3 is used in wellness supplement blends.
Vitamin B3 supports products focused on general health and nutritional maintenance.
Vitamin B3 is used in skin-care formulations.
Vitamin B3 helps support products designed for skin barrier appearance and skin tone improvement.
Vitamin B3 is used in cosmetic creams and lotions.
Vitamin B3 can help improve the appearance of uneven skin tone in suitable formulations.
Vitamin B3 is used in facial serums.
Vitamin B3 supports cosmetic products targeting brightness, smoothness, and visible skin texture.
Vitamin B3 is used in anti-aging cosmetic formulations.
Vitamin B3 helps support products designed to improve the appearance of fine lines and dullness.
Vitamin B3 is used in acne-prone skin-care products.
Vitamin B3 supports formulations designed to improve the appearance of oily or blemish-prone skin.
Vitamin B3 is used in moisturizer formulations.
Vitamin B3 helps support skin hydration and barrier-focused product claims.
Vitamin B3 is used in sunscreen and after-sun products.
Vitamin B3 supports skin-care systems designed for daily environmental exposure.
Vitamin B3 is used in hair-care formulations.
Vitamin B3 supports scalp-care and conditioning product development.
Vitamin B3 is used in shampoo and conditioner formulations.
Vitamin B3 helps enhance vitamin-based marketing and functional positioning.
Vitamin B3 is used in fermentation media.
Vitamin B3 can support microbial growth in selected biotechnology processes.
Vitamin B3 is used in cell culture research media.
Vitamin B3 may serve as a nutrient component in specialized laboratory formulations.
Vitamin B3 is used in analytical reference preparations.
Vitamin B3 supports testing and quality control of fortified foods and supplements.
Vitamin B3 is used in premix manufacturing.
Vitamin B3 helps create customized vitamin blends for food, feed, and nutraceutical industries.
DESCRIPTION
Vitamin B3 refers to niacin (nicotinic acid) and niacinamide (nicotinamide), and both forms act as precursors to NAD and NADP coenzymes essential for cellular energy metabolism.
Vitamin B3 deficiency leads to pellagra, and this historical context is why Vitamin B3 is also called vitamin PP.
Vitamin B3 in supplements is often provided as niacinamide to avoid flushing associated with niacin at higher doses, while niacin may be selected when lipid-related effects are targeted under medical supervision.
Vitamin B3 in cosmetics is typically niacinamide because niacinamide is generally well tolerated and stable across a range of skincare formulations.
Vitamin B3 performance in topical products depends on concentration, pH, and compatibility with other actives, and very low pH systems may increase risk of conversion and irritation in sensitive users.
Vitamin B3 should be used according to applicable food, supplement, or cosmetic regulations for the target market, including labeling requirements and permitted claims.
Vitamin B3 powders should be protected from moisture and contamination, and consistent particle size supports uniform blending in tablets and powders.
Vitamin B3 should be stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place to maintain assay and prevent caking.
Vitamin B3 should be handled with dust control practices during bulk handling to reduce airborne particulate exposure.
Vitamin B3 is an essential water-soluble B vitamin.
Vitamin B3 commonly refers to niacin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, or related niacin-active forms.
Vitamin B3 is required for normal cellular metabolism.
Vitamin B3 is a precursor for important coenzymes such as NAD and NADP.
Vitamin B3 supports biochemical reactions involved in energy production.
Vitamin B3 participates in oxidation-reduction reactions in the body.
Vitamin B3 is naturally found in meat, fish, grains, legumes, and fortified foods.
Vitamin B3 deficiency can lead to pellagra in severe cases.
Vitamin B3 is typically supplied as a white or off-white crystalline powder depending on form and grade.
Vitamin B3 may be supplied as nicotinic acid or niacinamide for different applications.
Vitamin B3 is generally soluble in water depending on chemical form and formulation conditions.
Vitamin B3 is stable in many dry vitamin premixes when properly stored.
Vitamin B3 performance depends on form, purity, particle size, dosage, and formulation compatibility.
Vitamin B3 quality may be defined by assay, appearance, moisture, impurities, and microbiological specifications.
Vitamin B3 should be stored in tightly closed containers.
Vitamin B3 should be protected from moisture, excessive heat, and contamination.
Vitamin B3 should be handled according to food, feed, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic manufacturing standards.
Vitamin B3 should be used according to supplier specifications and applicable regulations.
Vitamin B3 dosage should be controlled carefully in nutritional and pharmaceutical applications.
Vitamin B3 may cause flushing when used as nicotinic acid at certain intake levels.
Vitamin B3 is valued for its role in nutrition, metabolism, and formulation enrichment.
Vitamin B3 is important in dietary supplements, fortified foods, animal feeds, and skin-care products.
Vitamin B3 is selected when niacin activity or vitamin B3 labeling is required.
Vitamin B3 supports products designed for essential nutrition and functional formulation performance.
Vitamin B3 remains a widely used vitamin ingredient across food, feed, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical industries.
PROPERTIES
Common Name: Vitamin B3
Chemical Type: Water-soluble vitamin; niacin (acid form) or niacinamide (amide form)
Appearance: White crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Taste: Slightly bitter (niacin) or mild (niacinamide)
Solubility: Soluble in water (niacinamide generally more soluble than niacin); solubility depends on temperature and grade
Stability: Generally stable under normal dry storage; pH and heat can affect behavior in solution (form dependent)
pH Sensitivity: Niacinamide is typically stable in mild pH ranges; very acidic conditions can increase conversion risk
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed, dry
Shelf Life: Typically 24–60 months in original sealed packaging (supplier dependent)
FIRST AID
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if dust is inhaled.
Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation persists.
Avoid breathing dust during powder handling.
Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water after contact.
Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Seek medical advice if irritation develops or persists.
Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Seek medical attention if discomfort occurs.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
For high-dose niacin exposure, consider flushing effects and monitor as appropriate.
Provide supportive care as needed.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including gloves and safety glasses for bulk handling.
Avoid generating dust and avoid inhalation of fine powder.
Use clean, food- or pharma-grade equipment to prevent contamination.
Ventilation:
Use general ventilation for normal handling.
Use local exhaust where dust may be generated during powder transfer.
Minimize airborne particulate accumulation in enclosed areas.
Storage:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place.
Protect from moisture to prevent caking and maintain free-flowing behavior.
Keep containers properly labeled and protected from contamination.
Spill and Leak Procedures:
Sweep up spilled powder and avoid dust generation.
Collect into suitable containers for reuse or disposal according to local regulations.
Clean residues with water if needed and dry the area to prevent slip hazards.
Handling Precautions:
Select the correct form because niacin and niacinamide differ in solubility, sensory behavior, and physiological effects.
Control formulation pH for topical niacinamide products because extreme acidity can increase irritation risk in sensitive users.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent quality and predictable performance.