What is niacinamide made of?

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is simply a form of vitamin B3? This essential nutrient is created both by the body and through commercial processes, with its composition influencing everything from diet to dermatology.

Quick Summary

Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3, with origins from dietary intake, endogenous synthesis from tryptophan, or lab-based manufacturing. Synthetic methods ensure high purity and consistency for commercial supplements and topical products.

Key Points

Niacinamide is Vitamin B3: It is the amide form of vitamin B3, also known as nicotinamide.
Dual Origin: It can be sourced from natural food items or synthesized in a laboratory.
Dietary Sources: Natural niacinamide is found in foods like meat, fish, and fortified grains.
Endogenous Synthesis: The body can create its own niacinamide from the amino acid tryptophan.
Synthetic Production: Commercial niacinamide is commonly manufactured by hydrolyzing 3-cyanopyridine for purity and consistency.
Identical Molecules: The synthetic version is chemically identical to the naturally occurring one, but offers higher purity for products.

The Dual Nature of Niacinamide's Origin

At its core, niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) and plays a critical role in cellular metabolism. Its composition is essentially a pyridine ring with a carboxamide group attached. This versatile molecule can originate from two distinct paths: natural sources found in foods and produced by the body, and synthetic processes developed in a laboratory. Understanding these origins is key to grasping how niacinamide functions and why different forms are used for various applications.

Natural Sources: A Dietary Connection

Niacinamide exists naturally in a variety of foods and is also produced within the human body from other compounds.

Dietary Niacinamide and Nicotinic Acid: Niacinamide is present in many animal-based foods, such as meat, poultry, and fish. It is also added to fortified cereals and can be found as nicotinic acid in plant-based sources like nuts, seeds, and green vegetables. Once ingested, nicotinic acid can be converted into niacinamide in the body.
Synthesis from Tryptophan: The human body has an endogenous pathway to create niacinamide. It can convert the essential amino acid tryptophan into niacin via a multi-step process, with the liver playing a key role. This ability helps prevent deficiencies, though dietary intake is still crucial for most of the body's needs.
Recycling Pathway: The body also has a salvage pathway where it recycles nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and other niacin-containing molecules back into niacinamide. This is an efficient way to maintain NAD+ levels, which are critical for many cellular functions.

Synthetic Manufacturing: Precision in Production

For commercial purposes, particularly in the skincare and supplement industries, niacinamide is almost exclusively produced synthetically in a laboratory. This method ensures a high level of purity and consistent concentration, which is essential for stable and effective products. The primary methods for industrial synthesis include:

Hydrolysis of 3-Cyanopyridine: The most common method involves the hydrolysis of 3-cyanopyridine (nicotinonitrile). This reaction typically occurs under basic conditions, where 3-cyanopyridine reacts with water in the presence of a catalyst to yield niacinamide. Modern and more environmentally friendly versions of this process may utilize enzymes, such as nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus rhodochrous, for a more selective and efficient conversion.
Conversion from Nicotinic Acid: Niacinamide can also be produced from nicotinic acid through a chemical reaction involving ammonia gas. The nicotinic acid is melted and reacted with the gas, which is often catalyzed by ammonium salts. The resulting niacinamide is then purified and dried.

Natural vs. Synthetic Niacinamide

While the chemical structure of natural and synthetic niacinamide is identical, their production and commercial characteristics differ significantly. The following table compares key aspects of each type.


Feature	Natural Niacinamide	Synthetic Niacinamide
Source	Derived from plant or animal sources, or endogenously produced from tryptophan.	Produced in a lab from chemical precursors like 3-cyanopyridine.
Purity & Consistency	Varies depending on the source and extraction method; less consistent than synthetic.	High purity and consistent concentration, ideal for reliable product formulation.
Cost	Often higher due to sourcing and extraction complexity.	Generally more affordable and cost-effective for mass production.
Allergen Profile	Can contain traces of other compounds from the source material, potentially causing irritation in very sensitive individuals.	Manufactured under controlled conditions, minimizing potential allergens or irritants.
Availability	Dependent on agricultural or animal sources, which can fluctuate.	Reliably available in large quantities for commercial demand.

Why Most Commercial Niacinamide Is Synthetic

For products that require a precise and stable formulation, like most skincare and nutritional supplements, synthetic niacinamide is the logical choice. The lab-controlled environment and chemical processes ensure that the final product is highly pure, free from impurities, and consistent in its efficacy from batch to batch. This consistency and reliability are paramount for products making specific claims about their benefits, such as reducing acne or improving skin tone. While some brands might market "plant-based" niacinamide, the sourcing and extraction can be more complex and costly compared to controlled lab synthesis.

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Niacinamide's Composition

In summary, what is niacinamide made of depends on its origin, but the molecule itself is identical, whether naturally or synthetically derived. It is a form of vitamin B3 that your body either gets from dietary sources like meats and grains or produces internally from tryptophan. For the high-performance skincare and dietary supplements widely available today, niacinamide is almost always a nature-identical, lab-synthesized ingredient. This manufacturing process guarantees the high purity, consistency, and stability required for its effective use. Ultimately, the choice between natural and synthetic is a matter of production, not molecular identity. A review of nicotinamide: treatment of skin diseases and photoprotection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Niacinamide can be both. It is found naturally in foods and produced by the body, but for commercial skincare and supplements, it is predominantly synthesized in a lab to ensure consistency and high purity.

3-cyanopyridine, also known as nicotinonitrile, is a chemical precursor used in the industrial production of synthetic niacinamide. It undergoes a hydrolysis reaction to form niacinamide.

Yes, the human body can synthesize niacinamide endogenously from the essential amino acid tryptophan. This process helps prevent deficiency but is often supplemented by dietary intake.

From a molecular standpoint, the natural and synthetic niacinamide molecules are identical. Any perceived difference in effectiveness is more likely related to the overall formulation of the product, including purity and concentration, which is often more consistent with synthetic versions.

Synthetic niacinamide is favored in the skincare industry because it offers reliable high purity, stability, and consistent potency, which are all crucial for manufacturing high-quality, predictable products.

Good natural sources include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, yeast, and certain whole grains and vegetables. Fortified cereals and breads are also common sources of added niacin.

Niacin is a term for vitamin B3, which can exist as nicotinic acid or niacinamide. While both can provide B3 activity, they have different chemical structures and effects. Unlike nicotinic acid, niacinamide does not cause skin flushing when taken in higher doses.