Is Niacinamide Safe During Pregnancy?

Medically reviewed by Macy Tollefson – doula, breastfeeding specialist & prenatal yoga teacher

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can cause a number of skin changes and concerns. While there are so many different options for treating pregnancy skin, there are certain skincare ingredients you should AVOID while pregnant or breastfeeding.

It can be confusing knowing what products and ingredients you need to avoid. You’ve probably heard warnings against using retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid… but what about niacinamide?

The great news is that niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient that is actually considered safe to use during pregnancy. The best part? Niacinamide can be found in a variety of skin care products!

Keep reading to see the benefits of niacinamide, how it might be useful for you, and if there are any potential risks.

This article is not a substitute for medical advice or consultation.

What Is Niacinamide?

To put it simply, niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 that is commonly used to treat different skin problems¹. It is an essential vitamin and is actually found naturally in some food. In this article, we are going to be talking about it terms of skincare.

In skincare, it is often used as an anti aging ingredient, as it helps boost collagen production and plump your skin barrier². It is also a humectant, meaning it can absorb and retain the moisture in your skin³.

Niacinamide is also GREAT for acne prone skin, as it helps regulate oil production and minimize pore appearance, redness and blotchiness. It also reduces inflammation, discoloration and dark spots!

It can be used on it’s in a serum form, but it is also a common active ingredient in different types of skincare products.

Is Niacinamide Pregnancy-Safe?

Yes! Niacinamide is one of the few active ingredients that is actually safe to use during pregnancy. Dermatologists often recommended niacinamide as a safe alternative to an expecting mother’s previous acne treatment.

As a topical serum, it can safely target a number of issues. It can benefit your skin in a variety of ways, helping you tackle a number of different concerns, all at once!

All in all, niacinamide can be a great addition to your pregnancy skincare routine!

Keep in mind, if you have any concerns or plans to use a new skincare product, it is ALWAYS best to consult with your healthcare provider or dermatologist first.

How Does Niacinamide Affect Pregnancy?

Using niacinamide topically in your skincare routine does NOT affect your baby at all. It is considered safe to use while you are pregnant!

While it is considered safe, at high concentrations, niacinamide can be irritating on the skin. With that being said, it is VERY uncommon to experience an allergic reaction, as it is an essential nutrient for your skin⁴.

Is Niacinamide Serum Safe During Breastfeeding?

Yes, niacinamide serum is also completely safe to use on your face while you are breastfeeding! It does not cross over into your breast milk or your baby.

The same goes for skin care products that contain niacinamide. Just check all of the other ingredients, to ensure that they are safe to use while you are nursing.

What Are The Benefits Of Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a powerhouse skincare ingredient that has several benefits for pregnant women. It can be used by moms of all skin types – from dry to oily skin, and even acne prone.

It has amazing anti-aging properties and it is one of the only skin care ingredients that is safe to treat acne during pregnancy.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of niacinamide:

• Reduces Inflammation

It can help calm redness or other irritating skin conditions, like eczema or dermatitis.

• Helps Skin Retain Moisture

Nicinamide is a humectant, meaning it helps preserves the moisture in your skin from the air or other moisturizing products you use. It’s one of the best ingredients to look for in pregnancy-safe face moisturizers especially for sensitive skin.

• Builds A Protective Skin Barrier

It helps build new skin cells, which protects against pollution, toxins and other environmental stressors.

• Regulates Oily Skin

Pregnancy can cause over-productive sebaceous glands, but niacinamide helps slow down that oil production.

• Helps Fight Sun Damage

Helps rebuild healthy skin cells and protects them from damage caused by uv rays. Note: niacinamide is not a substitute for SPF! It simply helps repair any skin damage that may have been caused. You should still use a good mineral sunscreen while pregnant to prevent sun burns.

• Treats Hyperpigmentation

Some research⁵ has shown that consistent use of niacinamide is effective in treating dark spots.

• Minimizes The Appearance Of Fine Lines And Wrinkles

By promoting skin cell turnover and promoting collagen production, niacinamide has lots of anti-aging properties.

• Treats Acne

Niacinamide helps pregnant women address acne concerns in a number of ways. From reducing oil production (and therefore breakouts) to calming inflammation, many women see an improvement in their acne!

• Smoothes An Uneven Skin Tone

The combination of cell regeneration, increased collagen and protected barrier all work to smooth the skin on your face.

Pregnancy-Related Skin Conditions

It is very common for expecting mothers to experience skin issues during their pregnancy. The hormonal changes may cause your body to create more oil, which can lead to pregnancy acne. On the flip side, pregnancy can also cause very dry skin!

Common pregnancy-related skin problems:

• Oily skin (from increased sebum)
• Itchiness
• Dry skin
• Worsening Dermatitis or Eczema
• Sensitive skin
• Hyperpigmentation or Melasma
• Blemishes or breakouts

Niacinamide can help tackle all of these pregnancy skin concerns! Overall, it will help regulate oil production, reduce inflammation and strengthen your skin barrier.

Keep in mind that if you were using a more intense acne treatment before pregnancy (such as salicylic acids, topical medications or prescription retinoids), niacinamide alone may not be enough for you. You can look for products with other pregnancy safe ingredients, for added benefits and other skin concerns.

Other pregnancy safe skin care ingredients include:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Green tea

It’s important to note that there is some debate on whether or not you can use vitamin C at the same time as niacinamide. There are claims that they cancel each other out, or can cause skin reactions.

However, most recent research shows that it is okay to mix these two ingredients⁶ but talk to your dermatologist or doctor if you have concerns, and always discontinue use of any product that causes irritation!

Article By Macy Tollefson

Macy Tollefson is a full spectrum doula, breastfeeding specialist and prenatal yoga teacher. She is passionate about guiding the modern mama on her journey through the beautiful (and wild) transformation of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Macy envisions a world where every mother has access to the resources she needs, and follows her intuition to make the best decisions about what is right for her and her baby.

The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/

https://asianbeautyessentials.com/

https://procoal.co.uk/

https://edit.sundayriley.com/

https://www.komen.org/

https://www.paulaschoice.com/

Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.

If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂