Can niacinamide and salicylic acid be used together? The simple answer is yes. They complement each other well. Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
The first way is to use them at different times of the day. You can apply your niacinamide in the morning to hydrate your skin for the day. Then apply your salicylic acid product at night for at least thirty minutes before you use your night creams and moisturizers.
Can I use salicylic acid and niacinamide everyday? Yes you can, but always ensure you use them correctly to avoid unwanted reactions. You are safe to use both ingredients everyday once you have built a tolerance, especially to the potent BHA, salicylic acid.
AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
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.
Skin purging occurs because of some ingredients that accelerate your body's natural process of getting rid of dead skin cells. Products that contain certain components—including lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoids—are likely the culprits of your acne breakout.
While it's safe to use salicylic acid and niacinamide together, Leung advises that it's best not to combine BHAs with other exfoliants or retinol. “Niacinamide is relatively non-irritating when paired with actives, but when we apply ingredients like AHA or BHAs, we need to give the skin the opportunity to use them.
Wait 30 Minutes between the two products
If you prefer to apply niacinamide and salicylic acid at the same time, wait at least 30 minutes after using salicylic acid before putting on the niacinamide. That should give it enough time so both products can work at their intended pH level.
Morning, noon and night! OK, not really. But since both niacinamide and salicylic acid are such skin saviours, we understand why you may want to. Combine salicylic acid with niacinamide when you want to regulate oil production, improve skin texture, or as part of an anti-aging routine.
Because salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it penetrates deeper into the skin layers, although it also dehydrates and irritates it. Meanwhile, niacinamide boosts the skin's natural moisture and reduces inflammation.
Salicylic acid is the better option for treating acne, while niacinamide is great for fading scarring and hyperpigmentation. They can both be used together and create a brightening, acne-fighting duo.
Niacinamide improves skin's barrier, repairs past signs of damage, reduces inflammation, that results in fewer pimples. CONTROLS ACNE: 2% Salicylic Acid is intensely exfoliating and controls excess sebum in the pores.
For example, if you use a salicylic acid-based cleanser, make sure that this ingredient isn't in your toner or moisturizer. Using the ingredient in each step of your routine can dry out your skin and worsen your acne. It's also important to wear sunscreen every day.
Acne treatments — especially those that contain active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid — are drying and a bit harsh on your skin. If you use too many treatments at the same time, your skin may become irritated, and you may actually suffer more breakouts as a result.
Should I moisturise after salicylic acid? Yes, it's considered best for your skin and the protective skin barrier to apply a moisturiser after using salicylic acid.
Niacinamide skincare products can sometimes cause breakouts in people who are acne-prone. If you start to experience more breakouts while using niacinamide products, discontinue use immediately.
The reaction is likely due to another ingredient in the product. However, a high concentration of niacinamide can cause irritation. Try using a product with lower potency if this is happening. If you have a severe reaction to niacinamide or any skin care ingredient, discuss your symptoms with a dermatologist.
"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that has salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advises only using the product three times per week, to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.
It is considered the best idea to apply niacinamide before salicylic acid. This is because the humectant traits of niacinamide ensure the natural skin barrier contains the correct levels of water. When the skin barrier is moisturised and healthy it can keep itself protected from exposure to free radical damage.
Retinoic acid (RA) is said to improve acne scars and reduce postinflammatory hyperpigmentation while glycolic acid (GA) is known for its keratolytic properties and its ability to reduce atrophic acne scars.
Luckily for us, yes, niacinamide is perfectly safe to use with salicylic acid due to the fact it contains humectant properties. This allows the ingredient to absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere and other product formulas and locking them into the different layers of the skin.
Studies have shown niacinamide to be as effective at treating breakouts as clindamycin (a topical antibiotic often prescribed for acne) when applied twice a day for eight weeks. Plus, it's also thought to help regulate your skin's sebum (aka oil) production, which, in turn, can help reduce and prevent blackheads.
As with most acne treatments, niacinamide takes time to work and you should allow for twelve weeks of use before determining whether or not the product has worked for you.