Ingredient Dictionary

NIACIN

Nicotinic acid is a pyridinemonocarboxylic acid that is pyridine in which the hydrogen at position 3 is replaced by a carboxy group.

How much products actually contain

13 products state the amountmedian 0.00001%

under 0.01% 13
0.01–0.1% 0
0.1–1% 0
1% or more 0

Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.

Of the products containing it, 10 list it before the 1% line and 18 after it (usually 1% or less).

Products using this ingredient

12 of 27 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 27

Definition

Nicotinic acid is a pyridinemonocarboxylic acid that is pyridine in which the hydrogen at position 3 is replaced by a carboxy group. It has a role as a metabolite, a vasodilator agent, an antilipemic drug, an antidote, a mouse metabolite, a plant metabolite, an Escherichia coli metabolite, a human urinary metabolite and an EC 3.5.1.19 (nicotinamidase) inhibitor. It is a vitamin B3, a pyridine alkaloid and a pyridinemonocarboxylic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a nicotinate.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 2679MF687A · registered name Niacin · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Reduces staticANTISTATICReduces surface roughnessSMOOTHING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

Other restriction: ban substances that deplete the ozone layer

Source: EU CosIng ingredient list

Reviewed by CIR: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Niacinamide and Niacin

Source: US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Official labels & definitions

JCIA labelling name ナイアシン: 本品は、次の化学式で表される複素環式化合物である。

Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)

Names & identifiers

NIACININCI나이아신Korean label name (MFDS standard)3-Pyridinecarboxylic acidSynonymナイアシンJapanese labelling name

CAS No.chemical registry number: 59-67-6
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 200-441-0
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID1020932
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID10932

IUPAC: Pyridine-3-carboxylic acid
Molecular formula: C6H5NO2
Molecular weight: 123.111 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Nicotinic acid is an odorless white crystalline powder with a feebly acid taste. pH (saturated aqueous solution) 2.7. pH (1.3% solution) 3-3.5. (NTP, 1992) · Dry Powder
Odour: Odorless · odourless
Boiling point: Sublimes (NTP, 1992) · 292.4
Melting point: 457 °F (NTP, 1992) · 236-239
Solubility: 10 to 50 mg/mL at 63 °F (NTP, 1992) · 18000 mg/L (at 25 °C)
Density: 1.473 (NTP, 1992) - Denser than water, will sink · 1.473 g/cu cm at 25 °C
Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions. · Nonhygroscopic and stable in air.
pH: pH = 2.7 (saturated aq soln) · 2.7
Dissociation constant: 2.05 · 2.4
Colour: white
Melting/freezing point: 236.6 ℃
Flash point: 193 ℃(c.c.)
Flammability (solid, gas): combustible
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: 25 / - %
Vapour pressure: 0.0000057 ㎜Hg (@ 25 ℃, est.)
Water solubility: 18000 ㎎/ℓ (@ 25 ℃)
Vapour density: 4.25
Relative density: 1.473 (@ 25 ℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): -2.43
Auto-ignition temperature: 580 ℃
Molecular weight: 123.11

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 13 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Flavouring and nutrient5
Anti-static agent2
Processing aids not otherwise specified2
Humectant2
Softener and conditioner2

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

1 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as low1

The study conclusions largely agree (100%). These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 2 studies

Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) according to
Category 6.4A (Category 2A)
Eye Irritation · Read Across