Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, sometimes called nicotinamide. Unlike regular niacin, it does not cause the temporary skin flushing that makes niacin uncomfortable for many people. The body relies on it for energy metabolism and cell repair.
Most people reach for niacinamide to maintain a skin barrier. Oral supplements aiming to address blemishes or sun-damaged skin often include it. Some take it for general energy, though the research behind that use is thinner than for standard niacin.
A typical diet supplies 14 to 35 mg per day, which covers basic needs. Clinical protocols sometimes run much higher, in the 250 to 500 mg range, but those doses demand medical supervision. Doses above 3 g per day can harm the liver. Anyone with existing liver concerns should be careful and avoid extended high-dose use without a doctor tracking liver function. Always review a high-dose plan with a healthcare provider.