Is Niacinamide Safe During Pregnancy? The Final Answer!

Carrying a tiny human in your womb is miraculous and extraordinary! However, with this experience also comes big-time concerns about your skin and what products you can and cannot use during pregnancy. 

Pregnant women often have to go through hormonal changes which can result in acne-prone skin, dry skin, and other skin concerns. That is why it is completely normal that during the nine months journey they want to build a pregnancy skincare routine that helps them address their skin conditions. 

Nonetheless, this desire to take care of their skin also results in a great question: is this safe for my baby? Uncertainty and fear are common in all moms-to-be and there is a lot of misinformation around the skin care products that are safe during pregnancy. 

From salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid to vitamin c and vitamin e, pregnant people wonder if these and other skincare ingredients are safe to use or not. In this sense, one of the most researched components is niacinamide, a go-to ingredient for those who have uneven skin tone and want to tighten their skin to look young and glowing. 

So, is niacinamide safe during pregnancy? Keep reading to discover the answer! 

What are the most common pregnancy-related skin concerns?

Acne, dark spots, blemishes, dry skin, and the list goes on and on. Women can face many skin challenges while pregnant and breastfeeding, and even though this moment should be magical, the undeniable reality is that our skin can affect our self-esteem, and having a pregnancy skincare routine can help us maintain healthy skin without affecting the little human that lives in our belly. 

The subtle brightening effect of pregnancy glow is totally a thing, however, not all pregnant women look luminous and rosy while expecting! These are the most common concerns:

Acne

Let’s not lie: hormones go a little crazy when you have a bun in the oven, and that can result in acne no matter the skin types *yes, even if you are far away from your teenage years*. 

Hormonal changes can boost the production of body oils, causing your skin to break out. This concern often appears in the cheeks and chin, but, if you already have combination or oily skin, hormonal acne could appear anywhere. 

Pregnant women address acne with over the counter products such as salicylic acid, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and other topical medications like beta hydroxy acids and alpha hydroxy acids, nevertheless, it is important to consult your doctor before choosing any treatment.

Spoiler alert: Most pregnancy-related acne clears out a couple of months after giving birth 

Dark patches 

Melasma, commonly known as dark spots, is also one of the cons of hormonal changes. During pregnancy, melasma production goes over the top, causing your skin to develop dark patches. Moreover, excessive sun exposure can worsen the condition and make the spots permanent. 

To address this condition, use topical products such as sunscreen- which helps fight sun damage- with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide; vitamin c; and vitamin e -these can be found in the form of eye creams and serums.

WARNING: Even though in other blogs we have recommended retinol for treating dark spots, this ingredient does not fall into the pregnancy category, which means that it is not safe to use. If you want to use this or generic tretinoin, please ask your healthcare provider for prescription retinoids. 

Overly-sensitive skin

The skin barrier and body’s tissues weaken when you are expecting, so it is normal for you to develop dermatitis or little red rashes all over the body, but especially on the face. This irritation can cause a maddening itch and redness but can be treated with hyaluronic acid *yes, it is safe, hooray!* and lactic acid. 

Yes, we know these concerns can be a little scary but bear in mind that there are many skincare products that are super safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women and are typically prescribed by dermatologists all around the world, so you are not alone!

Niacinamide while pregnant: Is it a good idea?

GOOD NEWS: Niacinamide falls into the safe to use FDA pregnancy category! So if you were a big fan of this powerhouse and all-in-one ingredient before carrying a child in your womb, you can totally keep using it throughout pregnancy. 

But what is niacinamide and what is it good for? If you are a skincare rookie, let us put you in context so you can understand the hype!

What the F is niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is an active ingredient of topical use that works miracles in the skin. It is often used in anti-aging skincare products, for its ability to boost collagen production, and helps to treat acne breakouts and dry skin. 

This natural substance found in face serums, eye creams, face masks, and hydrating creams, is a powerful moisturizer and anti-inflammatory. Moreover, it is water-soluble, so it is lightweight and won’t make your skin feel greasy or heavy. 

On the other hand, vitamin B3 can also be found in foods and supplements such as eggs, avocados, and fish, which are healthy and amazing for your global health. 

The Top 5 Benefits of Niacinamide

Remember the pregnancy-related concerns we have mentioned above? Well, let us tell you that niacinamide is not only safe to use but also can address both acne and melasma *and a little more*!

Here are our favorite benefits: 

**Boosts skin cell turnover

If you are suffering from hyperpigmented skin now that you are pregnant and are really sad because retinol is a big no, it’s time to change to niacinamide-rich products! 

Niacinamide has an essential nutrient that works as an exfoliant that will get rid of dead, pigmented cells, promoting skin cell turnover. In the same way, it evens the skin tone and softens the appearance of blemishes. 

Pro-tip: Team up niacinamide with other skin care ingredients such as vitamin c and zinc oxide to create a formidable anti-pigmentation skincare routine safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

However, bear in mind that, if you have sensitive skin, you should talk with your dermatologist about including vitamin c in your routine. 

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**Big oil regulator

As mentioned before, pregnancy can make you prone to acne breakouts because your skin starts over-producing oil that clogs your pores and causes pimples and blackheads, but this is nothing that adding niacinamide to your routine won’t solve! 

One of the many benefits of niacinamide can reduce the amount of sebum your glands produce, thus decreasing the possibility of developing acne during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Moreover, it can be used with sulfur based acne medication, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid. 

**Shrinks large pores

Obvious pores are often a consequence of oily skin. No matter if you are suffering from hormonal acne or are just prone to having breakouts, it is a fact that, when your pores clog, your pores expand.  

Skincare products that contain niacinamide can minimize the appearance of pores, preventing oil from clogging them and generating pimples. 

**A sensitive skin BFF

If you are prone to developing rashes, red skin, or dermatitis, niacinamide is an amazing anti-inflammatory that will smooth and calm your skin. It also can diminish the effects of free radicals and sun damage. 

To protect your skin when you are out, you could mix niacinamide with titanium dioxide-rich sunscreens or creams. 

**Oh-so-mighty moisturizer

One of the reasons niacinamide is an all-time skincare ingredient fave is because of its awesome moisturizing features that benefit all skin types. This vitamin enhances the penetration of nutrients and retains moisture, helping you to avoid dry skin at all costs. 

Its moisturizing benefits, mixed with hyaluronic acid, will also relieve wrinkles and fine lines and will help you to keep that pregnant glow in all its glory. 

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Niacinamide while pregnant: Some do’s and don’ts

Is niacinamide safe during pregnancy? The easy answer is YES, YES, YES! Nevertheless, you need to keep in mind that this blog can’t replace medical advice and that you should talk with your dermatologist before including any skincare ingredients in your routine. 

Niacinamide and other skincare ingredients that are pregnancy safe

Niacinamide is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and has way too many benefits and can be mixed with other skin care ingredients to boost its properties: 

• Salicylic acid and glycolic acid

There’s a lot of debate around the use of these two acids while expecting, however, the amount of acid formulated in spot treatments for acne is safe to use during pregnancy. 

Salicylic acids have antimicrobial properties used in killing bacteria found in the face, which can cause acne breakouts and worsen hormonal acne.

• Azelaic acid

Niacinamide and azelaic acid are actually a power duo! They boost each other’s benefits and are amazing in treating blemishes and melismas caused by sun damage and melanin excess. 

They can be found together in serums and creams, but you can also buy them separately and use them one after the other *the lighter one first, then the thicker*

• Vitamin C

Another must if you are looking to get rid of blemishes. You can use vitamin C and niacinamide during your morning routine to protect your skin from free radicals and keep it moisturized during the day. 

Note: even though we love this duo, bear in mind that overly-sensitive skin could get irritated when mixing niacinamide and vitamin C. You should try this combination every other day to test sensitivity and, if nothing happens, you can add it to your everyday routine.

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• Zinc oxide

A zinc blemish treatment is a go-to option if you want to reduce acne scars and dark imperfections. Moreover, if you mix it with niacinamide, it will help you to regenerate your skin and diminish any redness or irritation. 

• Topical erythromycin

This is not an ingredient but a prescribed medication used to treat acne. This med can dry your skin and that’s where niacinamide comes in! You can use erythromycin, wait for the product to be absorbed by your skin, and then add niacinamide to moisturize your skin. 

Where can you buy niacinamide-rich products?

We can’t stress this enough, it is super, mega, necessary that you consult with your doctor before using niacinamide or any of the ingredients listed in this blog. 

Now let’s go to the fun part: SHOPPING! If you already are 100% sure you can use niacinamide, there is a long list of products you could benefit from depending on your skincare goals and concerns. 

In Asian Beauty Essentials you’ll find a great list of niacinamide products that go from gel and moisture creams to soothing masks and serums. 

What are you waiting for? Visit our shop and get that pregnancy glow back with niacinamide without worrying about risking the life of your little bun!