Can I mix vitamin C with niacinamide?

Author: Aiden Howell  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Can I Combine Niacinamide and Vitamin C together? Yes, you can mix niacinamide and vitamin C together in your skincare routine, and doing so can offer significant benefits. However, it's essential to understand how to use them properly to avoid irritation and maximize their effectiveness.

Why can't you use vitamin C and niacinamide together?

The ordinary doesn't recommend using their vit c and niacinamide together because they have different ph levels. Using both together will change the ph of the other making them less effective.

Which goes first vitamin C or niacinamide?

Vitamin C is typically applied in the morning for antioxidant protection, while niacinamide can be used in the morning or at night. Layering them is generally well-tolerated, but some prefer to use them at different times of the day to maximize benefits.

What can you not mix with niacinamide?

Niacinamide generally works well with most products, but it's best not to combine it with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the same routine as it can cause irritation. Additionally, avoid using it with strong exfoliants or retinoids in high concentrations to prevent skin sensitivity. For more, check out my Quora Profile.

How long should I wait between applying vitamin C and niacinamide?

You should wait 30 minutes after using a product with Vitamin C before a product with Niacinamide. Unless your skin is very sensitive and/or you are using a lot of Niacinamide, you won't usually get a flush, but it is best to err on the side of caution and wait because niacin flush can really burn!

Layering Minimalist Skincare for hyperpigmentation (vitamin C, Arbutin, Niacinamide, Snail Mucin)

Is it better to use niacinamide or vitamin C at night?

Another way of applying them is to alternate the time of day you use them on the skin, many prefer to benefit from the glow of vitamin C opting to apply it in the morning, following this with niacinamide in the evening to counteract any damage caused to the skin throughout the day.

Is vitamin C or niacinamide better for hyperpigmentation?

Both ingredients can fade hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production. Vitamin C (depending on the percentage) can be more harsh for sensitive skin types. Or, you might want to use niacinamide if you have acne-prone skin, and leverage Vitamin C for fading post-acne marks and dark spots.

What cancels out niacinamide?

Niacinamide and vitamin C

This combination sparks a lot of debate among skincare experts. Some say that since both niacinamide and vitamin C contain antioxidants, they cancel each other out and might even lead to irritation.

What reacts badly with niacinamide?

Niacinamide works well with other skincare ingredients, including retinol and hyaluronic acid. However, some ingredients, like vitamin C, may interact negatively with niacinamide. Therefore, it's recommended to use products containing these ingredients at different times of the day or on alternate days.

What is the best combination with niacinamide?

Niacinamide + salicylic acid is what you need in your skincare routine. Salicylic acid is best known for its deep-cleansing properties and deep-penetrating action to unclog pores and slough off dead and dry skin. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salicylic acid help clear away pustules and papules.

How to layer vitamin C and niacinamide the ordinary?

Take for example Vitamin C and Niacinamide - two active ingredients we don't recommend using together in the same routine. The key word here is routine. You can use Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% in the AM routine and Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% in the PM routine -- just not together in the morning or evening.

Can I use niacinamide every day?

It's an ingredient found in a number of moisturizing skin-care products as well as in certain foods and supplements like multivitamins. Can you use niacinamide every day? Yes. In fact, you can use niacinamide-containing topical products in the morning and night because it's generally a gentle ingredient.

What is the best time to apply vitamin C serum?

While you can work your vitamin C serum into either your morning or evening skincare routine, most dermatologists recommend the morning [2]. This keeps your skin protected from free radicals as you go about your day, and can work especially well with your sunscreen to keep you safe from UV radiation.

What to apply first, niacinamide or vitamin C?

If you're applying them together, you should apply Vitamin C first, followed by hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Don't use it with AHAs, BHAs, and retinol at once.

What should you not use vitamin C with?

Vitamin C is effectively an acid (it's sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no.

Why is my skin getting darker after using niacinamide?

Some may also have skin discoloration due to using niacinamide combined with other active ingredients that are too harsh for your skin type. Niacinamide can also cause problems when it's mixed with the following substances: Acids, including lactic acid, glycolic acid, and azelaic acid.

What not to pair with niacinamide?

DON'T MIX: AHA/BHA and niacinamide

Niacinamide is used to treat hyperpigmentation and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants. To understand why niacinamide shouldn't be mixed with AHAs and BHAs, you need to consider pH.

Why does my skin look worse after using niacinamide?

You might be experiencing breakouts if your skin is too sensitive to niacinamide or if you are using it in combination with other irritating products. These breakouts could be new pimples, redness, and inflammation in areas where you do not normally get acne.

Does vitamin C deactivate niacinamide?

As we've established, these two ingredients don't cancel one another out! Besides, given that vitamin C is the primary antioxidant in skin, waiting between applications of these ingredients just doesn't make sense.

What should you not take vitamin C with?

Possible interactions include:
  • Aluminum. Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. ...
  • Chemotherapy. ...
  • Estrogen. ...
  • Protease inhibitors. ...
  • Statins and niacin. ...
  • Warfarin (Jantoven).

What can I layer over niacinamide?

You can (and should) consider layering niacinamide and retinol in the same routine, especially if you have sensitive skin. Retinol is a well-known ingredient that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Is 10% niacinamide too much?

For general skin tone correction, a niacinamide concentration between 4-5% is often effective and well-tolerated by most individuals. For those looking to tackle more pronounced hyperpigmentation, a higher concentration of 10% may be beneficial, though it's important to monitor the skin for any signs of irritation.

Can you use both vitamin C and niacinamide?

Not only should you feel free to combine these two super ingredients, we wholeheartedly encourage it. While there are sometimes tradeoffs in life, luckily this skincare combination isn't one of those times. Layering niacinamide and vitamin C actually enhances the benefits of both these antioxidants.

Which serum is best for dark spots?

Check each product page for other buying options.
  • AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50ml / 1.69 fl. ...
  • 4beauty Therapy Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50Ml / 1.69 Fl. ...
  • The Derma Co 2% Kojic Acid Face Serum | With 1% Alpha Arbutin & Niacinamide | Reduces Dark Spots, Pigmentation & Blemishes | For All Skin types | 10 ml.

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