Common Name(s): Nicotinic acid methyl ester,vasodilator,warming active
CAS Number: 93-60-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides prostaglandin d2-mediated vasodilation flush and warming from methyl nicotinate.
Why It's Used: The topical vasodilator โ methyl nicotinate's prostaglandin d2-mediated cutaneous vasodilation provides the warming flush used in anti-cellulite, warming massage, and scalp circulation products from a well-characterised prostaglandin mechanism.
How It Works: Nicotinic acid ester: absorbed โ releases nicotinic acid โ activates gpr109a on langerhans cells โ prostaglandin d2 (pgd2) release โ cutaneous vasodilation flush. warming sensation from increased blood flow. different mechanism from trpv1 warming (capsaicin). standard skin pharmacological research tool (methyl nicotinate test for skin vascular reactivity).
Typically Found In: Anti-cellulite products,warming massage products,scalp circulation products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin b complex
Secondary Functions: Antioxidant cofactor,metabolic support
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetically produced for cosmetic use.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; excellent tolerability.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Other b vitamins,niacinamide,antioxidant complexes
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Methyl nicotinate's prostaglandin d2 vasodilation mechanism is the basis of the 'methyl nicotinate test' โ a standard dermatopharmacological assay measuring skin vascular reactivity: applying 0.1m mn to standardised skin area and measuring time to maximum flush provides a quantitative non-invasive measure of cutaneous prostaglandin d2 sensitivity. this pharmacological standardisation makes mn one of the best-characterised cosmetic vasodilating actives.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,wiechers et al. methyl nicotinate pharmacology review