PoreWise One finding · Human trial · 2006
Study title
The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production
- Kind of evidence
- Human trial 2006 · 100 people · Japanese subjects plus 30 Caucasian subjects · PMID 16766489
- Measured outcome
- Skin effect
- Year
- 2006
- Who was studied
- 100 Japanese subjects plus 30 Caucasian subjects
- Sample size
- 100
- Measured outcome
- In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 Japanese subjects, a 2% niacinamide moisturiser significantly lowered sebum excretion rate after 2 and 4 weeks; in a separate 30-person Caucasian split-face study it significantly reduced casual sebum level after 6 weeks.
- Certainty
- Moderate
- Who was measured
- Adults with facial sebum concerns applying a 2% niacinamide moisturiser for 2 to 6 weeks; measured with sebumeter-based sebum excretion rate and casual sebum level.
- Study limits
- The effect differs by measured endpoint and population.
Where it comes from
- The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production
Published by Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy (Draelos ZD) · Last checked 2026-11-10
Ingredients it was measured on
Skin concerns studied
Other findings on the same ingredient or concern
- Skin effectEvaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamide
In a randomized, placebo-controlled split-face study of 30 healthy Japanese women, a cosmetic containing 4% niacinamide reduced the skin-surface average roughness (Ra) value significantly more than the niacinamide-free control site after 8 weeks (P<0.05).
Human trial · 2008 · 30 people · healthy Japanese women with wrinkles in the eye areas · Skin-surface roughness measured by replica profilometry (Ra). · Measured at the eye area on a photoaged/wrinkle cohort; the endpoint is surface roughness.
- Skin effectAn Investigator-Blinded, Randomized Trial of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Containing Sclareolide and Niacinamide for the Prevention of Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Skin of Color
In 20 people with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V, a broad-spectrum sunscreen containing sclareolide and niacinamide significantly prevented experimentally induced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: in stripped, exposed zones the protected skin improved by +5.96 ITA degrees versus -9.88 in unprotected skin (net protection about 16 ITA degrees, p < 0.001).
Human trial · 2026 · 20 people · participants with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V · People with darker skin phototypes (IV-V) prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, applying the sunscreen daily for 20 days under UV and visible-light exposure. · Small sample (20), within-subject controlled model of experimentally induced pigmentation; the abstract calls for comparative studies with and; industry involvement.
- Skin effectCosmetic benefit of a biomimetic lamellar cream formulation on barrier function or the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in randomized proof-of-concept clinical studies
In 72 women with visible signs of ageing, a niacinamide-containing biomimetic lamellar cream significantly improved the Cutometer R5 elasticity parameter, wrinkle score, TEWL and corneometer values over 4 weeks compared against the untreated side.
Human trial · 2019 · 72 people · women with visible signs of ageing (Study 2) · Women with visible signs of ageing, applying the cream twice daily for 4 weeks. · Grading of high-resolution images failed to detect improvements in skin texture; proof-of-concept studies.
- Skin effectA Novel Dermocosmetic Routine Containing Vitamin B3 and 2-Mercaptonicotinyl Glycine Significantly Improves Melasma After 3 Months of Daily Use
In 91 women with melasma, a skincare routine containing vitamin B3 (niacinamide) and 2-mercaptonicotinyl glycine significantly reduced MASI after 3 months, with roughly 38-41% reduction by 6 months.
Human trial · 2025 · 91 people · women with melasma · Women aged about 44 with melasma, phototypes III-IV, using the routine twice daily with daily SPF50+ sunscreen. · A clinically relevant difference favoured Kligman's triple combination in the first 3 months; industry-funded; skin radiance and fine wrinkles also improved.
- Skin effectThe clinical anti-aging effects of topical kinetin and niacinamide in Asians: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative trial
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled split-face trial of 52 Taiwanese subjects, 4% niacinamide alone significantly reduced instrument-measured pore counts at week 8, and 4% niacinamide with 0.03% kinetin produced persistent significant reductions in pore, spot, wrinkle and evenness counts at weeks 8 and 12.
Human trial · 2007 · 52 people · Taiwanese subjects · Instrument-measured facial pore counts over 8-12 weeks. · The niacinamide-group showed significant pore reduction at week 8; 'pore counts' is an instrument parameter.