Is Niacinamide Safe During Pregnancy?
Updated September 8, 2026
The Answer
Yes. Niacinamide is generally considered safe during pregnancy when used topically in normal cosmetic products such as serums, moisturizers, and cleansers. This does not extend to high dose oral niacinamide supplements.
Topical cosmetic use and high dose oral supplementation are different exposures; supplement intake is subject to pregnancy upper intake limits and has more limited pregnancy specific evidence.
Dermatology reviews list topical niacinamide or nicotinamide as an option for pregnancy related hyperpigmentation, while cosmetic safety reviews found it safe as used at tested cosmetic concentrations.
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What Is Niacinamide?
You may also see it listed as: nicotinamide, nicotinic acid amide, 3-pyridinecarboxamide
Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3. It is used in skincare to support the skin barrier and address redness, oiliness, blemishes, uneven tone, and hyperpigmentation. Common forms include serums, moisturizers, creams, cleansers, toners, sunscreens, and hair or skin conditioning products.
What Other Ingredients Should You Look Out for in Products With Niacinamide?
A product's full ingredient list determines whether it's pregnancy-safe or not. These ingredients also appear in some of the niacinamide products we analyzed and may deserve a closer look.
Retinol
AvoidCheck the ingredient list for “retinol,” a topical vitamin A derivative used in anti aging and acne products. Pregnancy guidance generally recommends avoiding cosmetic retinol despite low absorption and reassuring inadvertent exposure data.
Flagged in 4 products (1.8%) in this analysis.
Fragrance
Caution“Fragrance,” “parfum,” “perfume,” and “natural fragrance” can represent mixtures whose individual components are not fully disclosed. If you want to reduce mixture uncertainty or fragrance related irritation, check for a fragrance free formula.
Flagged in 62 products (28.6%) in this analysis.
Avobenzone
CautionCheck sunscreen labels for “avobenzone” or “butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane.” Pregnancy specific outcome data are limited, so mineral filters offer a lower uncertainty option when practical, but this is not a reason to skip sun protection.
Flagged in 13 products (6%) in this analysis.
Triethanolamine
CautionLook for “triethanolamine,” a pH adjuster and emulsifier. Its pregnancy evidence is indirect, and cosmetic reviews emphasize well formulated products that limit nitrosamine impurities and avoid nitrosating systems.
Flagged in 11 products (5.1%) in this analysis.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra
Caution“Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract” is topical licorice extract used for brightening and soothing. Typical cosmetic use appears much lower concern than oral licorice, but pregnancy specific topical data remain limited; do not treat this as evidence for oral licorice use.
Flagged in 8 products (3.7%) in this analysis.
Does Niacinamide Strength or Product Type Matter During Pregnancy?
The favorable pregnancy assessment applies to normal topical cosmetic use. Pregnancy specific clinical trials are limited, but dermatology and cosmetic safety reviews support topical use at tested cosmetic concentrations. High dose oral supplements produce a different systemic exposure and should not be judged by the topical evidence.
What Products Contain Niacinamide?
Pregnancy Safe has looked at 16,746 products that have niacinamide as an ingredient. The category and grade breakdowns below use 217 products whose names mention Niacinamide or another name for it.
What Types of Products Contain Niacinamide?
Products You May Have That Contain Niacinamide
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D+ | La Roche Posay Toleriane Face Moisturizer Sunscreen With Ceramide And Niacinamide - Spf 30 | La Roche Posay | Face Moisturizer |
| C+ | The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - 1 Fl Oz - Ulta Beauty | The Ordinary | Serum |
| C+ | Cerave Foaming Cleanser With Niacinamide For Normal To Oily Skin 236Ml | Cerave | Facial Cleanser |
| B+ | La Roche Posay, Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer, Daily Gel Face Moisturizer With Ceramide And Niacinamide For Oily Skin - 3.38 Fl Oz | La Roche Posay | Face Moisturizer |
| C | Cerave Sa Face Wash Salicylic Acid Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid And Niacinamide | Cerave | Face Wash |
| C+ | Cerave Blemish Control Face Cleanser With 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide For Blemish-Prone Skin 236Ml | Cerave | Face Cleanser |
| C | Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops 15Ml | Glow Recipe | Face Serum |
| B+ | La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer With Ceramide And Niacinamide | La Roche Posay | Face Moisturizer |
How Do Products Containing Niacinamide Score?
It can be helpful to see how products containing niacinamide generally score during pregnancy. This does not tell you whether your exact product is safe, but it gives you a general idea of what we found. In this breakdown of 217 products, 61% receive a C grade. A C grade means the complete formula has some pregnancy considerations, so use it sparingly and consider a higher scoring alternative when one is available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Niacinamide During Pregnancy
Does niacinamide guidance change by trimester?
The available evidence supports normal topical cosmetic use in pregnancy but does not establish separate trimester specific rules. Pregnancy specific clinical trials remain limited.
Can niacinamide be used for pregnancy related dark spots?
Dermatology reviews list topical niacinamide as an option for hyperpigmentation or melasma during pregnancy. That supports normal cosmetic use, not a guarantee that a particular product will work.
Are niacinamide serums safe during pregnancy?
Niacinamide serums fall within the normal topical cosmetic use considered generally safe. Check the complete ingredient list separately, because this conclusion applies to niacinamide rather than the whole formula.
Does a higher niacinamide percentage change the answer?
The evidence supports niacinamide at tested cosmetic concentrations but does not provide a pregnancy specific numerical limit. It should not be extrapolated beyond normal cosmetic use or applied to high dose oral supplements.
Is nicotinamide the same ingredient as niacinamide?
Yes. Nicotinamide is an established alternative name for niacinamide, the amide form of vitamin B3.
Is oral niacinamide also considered safe?
Do not apply the topical verdict to supplements. High dose oral niacinamide creates a different exposure, pregnancy data are more limited, and pregnancy upper intake limits apply.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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