Niacinamide
Native to: Originally derived from nicotinic acid found in rice bran and brewer’s yeast; now synthesized for stability and purity
Ritual Role: The Rebuilder — smooths tone, supports the barrier, and reminds skin how to repair itself
Skin Benefits
Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) is a multitasking powerhouse. It supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, fades discoloration, and boosts hydration — all while calming inflammation. Especially helpful for hyperpigmentation, acne-prone skin, and visible pores, it works gently yet effectively to restore balance. For melanin-rich skin, it’s one of the most trusted ingredients for brightening without irritation or lightening.
Nervous System Support
Balancing and centering — mirrors the brain-skin connection. Niacin (its precursor) plays a role in mood, energy, and resilience, making it both topically and energetically restorative.
Ancestral Use & Cultural Roots
While niacinamide itself is a modern isolate, its origins trace back to niacin-rich foods like fermented rice, corn, and seeds — foundational to Indigenous diets in the Americas and Asia. These foods were known to nourish energy, vitality, and skin clarity. In Afro-Caribbean households, rice water was used as a gentle face tonic, passed down for generations to soothe and brighten the skin naturally.
Sources & Receipts
- Academic: Topical niacinamide improves skin barrier and tone – NCBI
- Herbalist Text: The Skin Healing Expert by Susan Brown — highlights niacinamide for sensitive and hyperpigmented skin
- Oral Tradition: Rice water used in Afro-Latine and Southeast Asian cultures to soften, tone, and strengthen the skin
- Ethnobotanical Record: Niacin-rich seed and grain ferments used across Indigenous Americas to support vitality and skin clarity (Source: Indigenous Food Systems Network)