---
title: Niacinamide
entity_type: Ingredient
canonical_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/niacinamide
date_modified: 2026-05-11
date_reviewed: 2026-05-11
mcp_eligible: true
evidence_sources:
  - title: AAD — How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones
    canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-fade-dark-spots-darker-skin-tones
    original_source_url: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/fade-dark-spots
    source_type: other
  - title: Rajabi-Estarabadi 2024 — Infraorbital dark circles and puffiness
    canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/rajabi-2024-infraorbital-dark-circles-puffiness
    original_source_url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38112168/
    source_type: peer_reviewed
  - title: PubMed — Niacinamide and hyperpigmented spots
    canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/bissett-2004-niacinamide-aging-facial-skin
    original_source_url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18492135/
    source_type: other
product_fact_sources:
  - title: CeraVe — Official Eye Repair Cream product page
    canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-cerave-eye-repair-cream
    original_source_url: https://www.cerave.com/en-us/skincare/moisturizers/eye-repair-cream
    source_type: official_product_page
---

# Niacinamide

## Quick Summary

Niacinamide is a vitamin B3 ingredient used in facial moisturizers, serums, and eye creams. For dark circles, it is most relevant when the under-eye area looks uneven, dull, or brown-toned, and when the skin barrier needs gentle support. It is not an instant dark-circle remover, but it fits a steady 8–12 week cosmetic routine. Caption: Niacinamide can support the look of a more even tone when pigment contributes to dark circles.

## What It Is

Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin B3 form used widely in leave-on skincare. In cosmetic routines, it is valued because it is generally compatible with moisturizers and barrier-support products.

For the under-eye area, the value is practical: a gentle tone-support ingredient that can sit inside a moisturizer-like eye product rather than requiring a harsh active routine.

## Mechanism

Niacinamide is studied for improvements in the appearance of hyperpigmented spots, texture, yellowing, and blotchiness on facial skin. Around the eyes, that evidence is best translated conservatively: it may support a more even-looking tone and a smoother-looking surface over time.

## Related Entities

- [AAD — How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-fade-dark-spots-darker-skin-tones)
- [Rajabi-Estarabadi 2024 — Infraorbital dark circles and puffiness](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/rajabi-2024-infraorbital-dark-circles-puffiness)
- [PubMed — Niacinamide and hyperpigmented spots](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/bissett-2004-niacinamide-aging-facial-skin)
- [CeraVe — Official Eye Repair Cream product page](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-cerave-eye-repair-cream)
- [Dark Circles](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/dark-circles)
- [Large Pores](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/large-pores)
- [Skin Sensitivity](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/skin-sensitivity)
- [Adult Acne](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/adult-acne)
- [Facial Redness](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/facial-redness)
- [Dark Spots from Acne](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/dark-spots-from-acne)
- [Facial Hyperpigmentation](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/facial-hyperpigmentation)
- [CeraVe Eye Repair Cream](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/cerave-eye-repair-cream)
- [The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/the-ordinary-niacinamide-10-zinc-1-serum)
- [CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/cerave-acne-foaming-cream-cleanser)
- [Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/naturium-tranexamic-topical-acid-5)
- [Dermagist Acne Scars Fading Cream](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-acne-scars-fading-cream)
- [Eye-Area Irritation](https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/eye-area-irritation)