This Common Vitamin May Cut Skin Cancer Risk by More Than Half, According to Dermatologists
In your youth, you may have relished the sun, soaking up as much of the golden rays as you could. In decades past, baby oil was passed around more readily than sunscreen. Leaving the beach with a tan was the goal. Now, there's a good chance that's the very thing you're trying to avoid.
Prolonged time in the sun without proper protection not only makes skin look older by reducing the elastin and collagen in the skin, it also greatly increases the risk of skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the U.S.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. The good news is that when it's detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
While protecting skin from the sun's UV rays by wearing protective clothing and sunscreen is paramount to reducing the risk of skin cancer, a study published in JAMA Dermatology highlights another way to lower the risk: upping intake of a common vitamin.
Here, dermatologists explain what that vitamin is and how consuming it plays a supporting role in protecting against skin cancer.
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The Vitamin That Lowers the Risk of Skin Cancer
According to the JAMA Dermatology study, consuming nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3, could help lower the risk of two types of skin cancer. Nicotinamide has been recommended by doctors to people with a history of skin cancer since a 2015 study found that taking the supplement lowered the risk of recurrence.
The JAMA Dermatology study included 33,833 people. Participants who took 500 milligrams of nicotinamide twice a day for more than 30 days had a 14% reduced risk of skin cancer. For people who started taking nicotinamide after being diagnosed with skin cancer, the risk reduction of getting skin cancer again jumped to 54%.
"Vitamin B3, particularly in the form of nicotinamide, helps support the skin's ability to repair DNA damage caused by ultraviolet radiation," says Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist and the founder of DermWorks.
She explains that UV exposure can damage DNA and impair cellular energy stores, which can lead to the development of skin cancer. "Nicotinamide helps replenish cellular energy and enhances the skin's natural DNA repair mechanisms," she explains.
Dr. Lauren Rimoin, MD,a dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology, says that another way vitamin B3 helps lower the risk of skin cancer is by supporting the skin's local immune system to catch and eliminate precancerous cells. There are other skin benefits, too. "You will often find niacinamide listed as an ingredient in topical skin care products. This is because it strengthens the skin barrier, reduces redness and inflammation and can improve acne," she says.
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How To Get Vitamin B3 Through Food
There is no shortage of foods with vitamin B3. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Danny Guo, MD, says that beef, pork, poultry and fish all have vitamin B3. He adds that nuts, seeds, peanuts, legumes and grains also contain the nutrient, as well as many fortified foods, like cereal.
If you want to take a vitamin B3 supplement for the purpose of skin cancer prevention, he recommends taking a 500 milligram dose twice a day, which is the dose the scientific study found to be beneficial. "There is no evidence on higher dosages of vitamin B3 supplementation for further reduction of skin cancer risk, so I would not recommend this," he explains.
Dr. Rimoin adds to this, saying that taking too much vitamin B3 can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Related: The One Thing Dermatologists Say You Should Never, Ever Do
Other Ways To Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer
While the link between vitamin B3 consumption and a reduced risk of skin cancer has been shown in multiple scientific studies, all three dermatologists emphasize that upping your intake of the nutrient or taking a vitamin B3 supplement should not be considered a primary way to protect yourself from skin cancer. Instead, it should be viewed as a secondary way to lower the risk.
"The most effective way to reduce skin cancer risk remains comprehensive sun protection. This includes wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, seeking shade during peak UV hours, wearing sun-protective clothing, hats and sunglasses and avoiding tanning beds," Dr. Queller says.
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She adds that regular skin examinations are also important, especially for anyone with a history of skin cancer or who gets a lot of sun exposure. Remember, skin cancer is highly treatable when it's caught early.
As we move into summer, protecting your skin from the UV rays is especially important. To protect yourself, apply sunscreen regularly when you're going to be outside and wear protective clothing. Getting enough vitamin B3 can help too, but it shouldn't replace your sunscreen.
Up Next:
Sources:
- Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics. Skin Cancer Foundation.
- Breglio, K. F., Knox, K. M. and Hwang, J. (2025). Nicotinamide for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention. JAMA Dermatology. 161(11):1140-1147.
- Dr. Jenna Queller, MD, FAAD, dermatologist and the founder of DermWorks.
- Dr. Lauren Rimoin, MD, dermatologist with Westlake Dermatology.
- Niacin. National Institutes of Health.
- Dr. Danny Guo, MD, cosmetic dermatologist in Alberta, Canada.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 7:50 AM.