Vitamin B3 cream or pills: which works better to stop skin spots?

NCT ID NCT07049068

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether taking nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) as a pill or applying it as a cream could reduce precancerous skin spots called actinic keratoses on the face. 74 adults with at least three such spots were randomly assigned to receive either oral nicotinamide plus a placebo cream, or topical nicotinamide plus a placebo pill for 6 months. The goal was to see which method worked better at preventing new spots and shrinking existing ones.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a simple, affordable way to prevent precancerous skin spots using vitamin B3.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase study (Phase 1) with only 74 people. Results may not apply to everyone, and the effect might be small or not better than placebo.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ACTINIC KERATOSES are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

actinic keratosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Programa de Pós Graduação Ciencias Médicas UFRGS

    Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90035003, Brazil