Another way of using niacinamide and retinol together is by alternating the time of day you apply them. It's considered best to apply retinol in the evening, after using niacinamide during your morning routine.
Is it safe to use niacinamide and retinol together? Not all skin care ingredients pair well together. Some combinations can react negatively or lessen the ingredients' benefits. Fortunately, it's safe to mix niacinamide and retinol.
Layering Niacinamide and Retinol
If you're using separate products, it is recommended that you apply retinol first then move forward with niacinamide application. If you are applying niacinamide and retinol during the morning, don't forget to follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Remember to apply niacinamide before retinol-based products to help shield your skin and reduce unwanted irritation. The use of both ceramides and niacinamide when prepping your skin for retinol has proven to be highly effective for retinoid use.
Niacinamide and retinol can be used together with a five-minute gap between application but are likely to be just as effective if you use them at separate times of the day.
You can combine niacinamide with all other serums and creams. You can use it with retinol, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, BHAs, or AHAs. Niacinamide and retinol work well together.
Using niacinamide before retinol works well. So does combining them into one product. A 2016 study found that a product containing retinol, niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and resveratrol improved fine lines, sallowness, wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and skin tone.
Always use sunscreen the morning after you apply retinol. Your skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so it's important to protect it.
Niacinamide can be used morning and night. Because it plays well with other skincare ingredients (even potentially tricky actives such as exfoliating acids and vitamin C) it will sit happily alongside anything else you're using.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr. Marchbein.
While acids and retinol can increase sun sensitivity, niacinamide does not, so it's fine to use in the morning. It also has protective antioxidant properties, so it's a great ingredient to use prior to UV and pollution exposure. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory ingredient is also ideal for use at night.
Moisturizing ingredients: damp skin
If your facial routine is simple and you're just applying a moisturizer after you cleanse, you'll want to do this ASAP, while your skin is still wet. The same goes for any moisturizing serums you may layer into your routine, like hyaluronic acid, squalene, or niacinamide.
The best product you can use in conjunction with retinol, according to Dr. Zeichner, is a moisturizer, which can help hydrate skin and reduce the risk of irritation from retinol. “Some people even prefer to mix their retinol with a moisturizing cream to dilute it out,” he says.
Mix With Hyaluronic Acid
Similarly, pairing a retinoid with a hydrating hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer is another good combination, according to Dr. Rabach. Retinoids are great because they can help tighten pores, decrease oil production, and get rid of dead skin.
You'll likely want to use retinol once or twice per week initially and work up to using it more than that. The reason: Retinol can initially be drying, especially if you have sensitive skin, so it's a good idea to give your skin some time to adjust to the change in your routine.
Retinol should be applied first, followed by hydroquinone in your nighttime regimen. As both are potent ingredients, you should wait 30 minutes so you give your skin's pH the time to rebalance before following with hydroquinone gel or cream.
Importantly, retinol makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight so be sure to use sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as you can while you use retinol products.
Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)
Retinol is also an ingredient that should be left to absorb sufficiently into the skin before following up with another product. “It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product.
"It helps with dark circles and wrinkles, two of the major complaints of the skin around the eyes." Because there's a low risk of irritation or inflammation from using it, you can apply it to the delicate, thin skin around the eyes without worry.
But if you're using two distinct products with these ingredients, wait 15 minutes between applications, or save one for morning use and the other for evening use.
2) Can you put niacinamide in the fridge? Yes, the cool temperature will help preserve the ingredient.
Niacinamide is a great ingredient for its tolerability, preventing skin aging and treating inflammation and pigmentation. Most results take 8–12 weeks.
In the clinical studies, niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use.
Niacinamide Serum – As most niacinamide serums are water-based, it's best to apply them after cleansing and toning and before oil-based serums or moisturizers. This way, you ensure the highest possible absorption and effectiveness.
Rub on any oil-based serums in your skincare routine.
Make sure you use the oil-based products after the Niacinamide 10% Zinc 1% to avoid clogging your pores. Oil-based serums penetrate deep into your skin, keeping it moisturized and hydrated.