niacinamide

noun ni·a·cin·amide \ ˌnī-ə-ˈsi-nə-ˌmīd \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of niacinamide

: a compound C₆H₆N₂O of the vitamin B complex found especially as a constituent of coenzymes and used similarly to niacin — called also nicotinamide

See niacinamide defined for kids

Recent Examples of niacinamide from the Web

Salicylic acid is the old standard for this job, but newcomer niacinamide does this really well, too.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Everything at Paula’s Choice Is on Sale Right Now," 13 June 2018
Henry recommends using moisturizing cleansers like Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and to look for ingredients like niacinamide in your moisturizer to help reduce the inflammation.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "Eyebrow Dandruff Is a Thing—Here’s How to Treat It," 28 June 2018
Because Yoon-kyung developed the brand to be safe for babies' sensitive skin, each product is made with only natural, ultra-soothing ingredients such as green tea, oatmeal extract, niacinamide, and snail mucus.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Exclusive: Peach & Lily Is Bringing the Korean Skin-Care Brand Ground Plan to the U.S.," 15 May 2018
To speed recovery in the days after, resist any urge to pick at peeling skin, and apply a gentle moisturizer with ingredients that rebuild the skin’s barrier, like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides.

— cristina mueller, Glamour, "How to Deal With Every Summer Skin Issue, From Sunburns to Bug Bites," 8 June 2018
Best-case scenario: When a moisturizer contains ceramides and niacinamide (like the one below).

— maddie aberman, Cosmopolitan, "3 Ways to Make Sure You're Cleaning Your Face Correctly," 30 May 2017
But the recent proliferation of various AHA, BHA, and PHA acids and ceramide, niacinamide, and tretinoin creams in my medicine cabinet suggests otherwise.

— lisa haney, The Cut, "What It’s Like to Break Your Face Like Carrie Underwood," 16 Apr. 2018
Two top picks: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension ($6, sephora.com) is affordable and contains 23% vitamin C. Glossier Super Pure ($28, glossier.com) is a splurge but contains a blend of niacinamide and vitamin B3.

— erin mayer, Good Housekeeping, "How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes," 7 Mar. 2018
If that sounds too intimidating, Kim also offers a drugstore option: Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum, a moisturizing formula that uses peptides and the vitamin niacinamide to plump fine lines with zero irritation.

— chloe metzger, Marie Claire, "This $10 Serum Is the Reason Kim Kardashian Doesn't Have a Single Wrinkle," 25 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'niacinamide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of niacinamide

1942

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

niacinamide

noun ni·a·cin·amide \ ˌnī-ə-ˈsin-ə-ˌmīd \

medical Definition of niacinamide

: a bitter crystalline basic amide C₆H₆N₂O that is a member of the vitamin B complex and is formed from and converted to niacin in the living organism, that occurs naturally usually as a constituent of coenzymes, and that is used similarly to niacin — called also nicotinamide