Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, and every cell needs it. The body turns it into NAD, a helper molecule that more than 400 enzymes depend on. For hair, the research is early but pointed: in the lab, niacinamide protected the cells that drive hair growth.
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From Anirva, the maker of Hair Radiance. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. More than 400 enzymes need the NAD made from it [1].
- It does not cause flushing. Unlike the other form of niacin, niacinamide does not make the skin flush [1].
- In the lab, it protected the cells that drive hair growth. It reduced oxidative stress and signs of cell aging [3].
- On the scalp, niacin compounds increased hair fullness. This was a 6-month trial in 60 women [4].
- Hair Radiance contains 20 mg. That is under both the US and the European upper limits [1][5][6].
For hair, the research is early but pointed. In the lab, niacinamide protected the cells that drive hair growth. On the scalp, niacin compounds increased hair fullness in women. This article explains both, and how 20 mg compares with the limits.
Facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ingredient and form | Niacin, as niacinamide [6] |
| Amount in Hair Radiance | 20 mg a day, in 3 capsules [6] |
| Percent of Daily Value | 125% [6] |
| Kinds of evidence | Nutrition science; a lab study of hair cells; a scalp trial of related compounds [1][3][4] |
| Human studies cited here | 1 trial in 60 women, applied to the scalp. None of niacinamide by mouth for hair |
| Adult upper limit | 35 mg a day of supplemental niacin in the US; 900 mg a day of nicotinamide in Europe [1][5] |
| Last reviewed | [DATE] |
What is niacinamide?
Niacin is vitamin B3. It comes in two main forms: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, also called niacinamide [1]. Both become NAD in the body [1].
Niacinamide does not cause skin flushing, and it has fewer side effects than nicotinic acid [1]. Hair Radiance uses niacinamide [6].
How might niacinamide support hair?
In Europe, labels may say that niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin [2]. Your scalp is skin, and each hair follicle grows from it.
At the base of each follicle sits a small group of cells called the dermal papilla, which drive hair growth. A 2021 lab study tested niacinamide on these cells [3].
Does niacinamide help hair growth? What the research shows
The research on niacinamide and hair is still growing. It has two parts so far.
In the lab, niacinamide protected hair cells from oxidative stress (2021)
Researchers exposed human dermal papilla cells to oxidative stress. Niacinamide lowered the stress inside the cells and reduced two markers of cell aging. It also lowered a protein called DKK-1 [3].
The authors concluded that niacinamide could support hair growth by preventing oxidative stress from aging these cells [3].
On the scalp, niacin compounds increased hair fullness (2005)
A trial enrolled 60 women with pattern hair thinning. For 6 months, 40 applied two niacin compounds to the scalp and 20 applied a placebo. Hair fullness in photographs rose significantly more in the niacin group [4].
These compounds are related to niacin but are not niacinamide, and they were applied to the scalp rather than taken by mouth [4].
Study summary
| Study | What was used | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Choi et al., 2021 [3] | Niacinamide on cultured human dermal papilla cells | Lowered oxidative stress and markers of cell aging |
| Draelos et al., 2005 [4] | Niacin compounds on the scalp; 60 women; 6 months | Hair fullness increased significantly versus placebo |
How much niacinamide is in Hair Radiance compared with needs and limits?
| Source | Amount a day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Radiance (3 capsules) | 20 mg | 125% of the Daily Value [6] |
| Recommended intake | 16 mg for men; 14 mg for women | [1] |
| US upper limit | 35 mg of supplemental niacin | Based on flushing; food is not counted [1] |
| European upper limit | 900 mg of nicotinamide | [5] |
Hair Radiance provides 20 mg, under both upper limits [1][5].
22 ingredients, including 20 mg of niacinamide
Hair Radiance is a daily three-capsule supplement that pairs niacinamide with zinc, biotin and other vitamins and plant extracts. Every ingredient and amount is listed on the label.
See Hair RadianceIs niacinamide safe? Safety and interactions
Niacinamide has fewer side effects than the other form of niacin, and it does not cause flushing [1]. Nausea, vomiting and signs of liver strain can occur at 3,000 mg a day [1].
Niacinamide is one part of Hair Radiance
Hair Radiance is a daily three-capsule hair growth supplement with 22 ingredients: vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, an amino acid and three probiotic strains. They were chosen to support healthy hair growth, to help promote silky, smooth hair, and to strengthen and maintain healthy hair. Niacinamide is one of them.
Hair Radiance has not been clinically tested as a finished product. For this reason, we cannot say how its ingredients work together. Every ingredient and amount is listed on the label [6].
If you are deciding
Here is the case in brief. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that does not cause flushing [1]. In the lab, it protected the cells that drive hair growth from oxidative stress [3]. Hair Radiance supplies 20 mg a day, under both upper limits [1][5][6]. The directions are three capsules a day with food [6].
The short version
Niacinamide is a gentle form of vitamin B3. In the lab, it protected hair-driving cells. On the scalp, related compounds increased hair fullness. Hair Radiance provides 20 mg a day.
Frequently asked questions
Does niacinamide help hair growth?
In the lab, it protected hair-driving cells from oxidative stress [3]. It has not been tested by mouth for hair.
What is the difference between niacin and niacinamide?
Both are vitamin B3. Niacinamide does not cause skin flushing [1].
Is niacinamide safe?
It has fewer side effects than nicotinic acid. Nausea and liver strain can occur at 3,000 mg a day [1].
How much niacin do adults need?
Men need 16 mg a day and women need 14 mg [1].
How much niacinamide is too much?
Which foods are high in niacin?
Poultry, fish, meat and brown rice [1].
Is niacinamide good for the scalp?
In Europe, labels may say that niacin contributes to the maintenance of normal skin [2].
How much niacinamide is in Hair Radiance?
Each serving of three capsules has 20 mg of niacin as niacinamide [6].
References
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Niacin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Updated November 18, 2022. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/ (accessed October 7, 2026).
- European Commission. Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/432 (accessed October 3, 2026).
- Choi YH, Shin JY, Kim J, Kang NG, Lee S. Niacinamide down-regulates the expression of DKK-1 and protects cells from oxidative stress in cultured human dermal papilla cells. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021;14:1519-1528. doi:10.2147/CCID.S334145. PMID: 34703266.
- Draelos ZD, Jacobson EL, Kim H, Kim M, Jacobson MK. A pilot study evaluating the efficacy of topically applied niacin derivatives for treatment of female pattern alopecia. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2005;4(4):258-261. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2005.00201.x. PMID: 17168873.
- European Food Safety Authority. Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels as derived by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) and the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Version 11, August 2025. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-05/ul-summary-report.pdf (accessed October 7, 2026).
- Anirva. Hair Radiance Supplement Facts label and product page. https://anirva.com/pages/hair-growth-supplement-with-probiotics (accessed October 7, 2026).
