Do you use salicylic acid before or after niacinamide?

Author: Ms. Sonya Pollich V  |  Last update: Thursday, July 10, 2025

Layering Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid After you cleanse your skin, apply a salicylic acid product. Then, follow that with niacinamide, and finish by moisturizing and adding sun protection. Niacinamide can be used to counteract some of the drying effect of salicylic acid while reducing skin irritation and blemishes.

Should I apply niacinamide or salicylic acid first?

Salicylic Acid cleanser should always come first, then Niacinamide 10%. Be careful though because Salicylic Acid allows any active ingredients to penetrate deep to the skin.

How long to wait after applying salicylic acid to apply niacinamide?

Niacinamide will increase salicylic acid's pH if it is applied to the skin too soon after salicylic acid, which could make the products less effective or cause a skin reaction. For best results, it would be better to wait about 30 minutes after applying salicylic acid to apply niacinamide.

Should you use niacinamide before or after acid?

As a rule, it's usually best to apply your acid product first, then niacinamide. In some cases, the order may also depend on the product textures.

How to layer salicylic acid and niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?

As for using salicylic acid with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide the best way of applying the all effectively is starting with a exfoliating toner containing salicylic acid, followed with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and prevent skin irritation, then finally niacinamide to regulate the production of sebum of the skin.

How to Use The Ordinary Niacinamide and 2% Salicylic Acid (BHA)

Which comes first, hyaluronic acid or salicylic acid?

Using hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. Hyaluronic acid can help rehydrate complexions after a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid has been applied. This means you can support skin texture and clarity with salicylic acid, followed by hyaluronic acid to nourish and soften the skin.

What order should I do my skincare?

The right morning routine will help your skin feel calm and hydrated all day long.
  1. Step 1: Cleanser. A clean face is your starting point for a healthy, glowing complexion. ...
  2. Step 2: Toner. ...
  3. Step 3: Serum. ...
  4. Step 4: Moisturizer. ...
  5. Step 5: Eye Cream. ...
  6. Step 6: Sunscreen.

What order do you put niacinamide in your routine?

It's suitable for all skin types and fits easily into your existing skincare routine. As for when to use niacinamide serum, we typically recommend applying products in order of consistency. That means your serum should come after toner, but before richer lotions or creams.

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.

When to apply salicylic acid serum?

Though mild, it should still be used only once a day. You can use it in your day or night skincare regimen, but it's better if used in a PM regimen. This is because salicylic acid is an exfoliator that helps clear pores and removes dead skin cells layer from the skin.

What not to use after salicylic acid?

Retinoids or retinol and salicylic acid

Generally, it's recommended you don't mix retinol and salicylic acid in your skincare routine due to the risk of redness or potentially irritating side effects [3].

How to use salicylic acid and niacinamide together minimalist?

Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid

Both Niacinamide and Salicylic acid are water-soluble and go perfectly well when layered together. Both these active ingredients have anti-aging as well as anti-acne action. Salicylic acid, being oil-soluble too, can penetrate the skin cells and reach the deeper skin layers.

What to layer with niacinamide?

Check out the list of ingredients that positively combine with niacinamide to benefit your skin effectively:
  • Niacinamide and vitamin C. ...
  • Niacinamide and retinol. ...
  • Niacinamide and salicylic acid. ...
  • Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. ...
  • Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica.

How to use salicylic and niacinamide together?

When starting salicylic acid and niacinamide, introduce them one at a time rather than together to ensure your skin tolerates them well. Observe your skin over 2-4 weeks before adding the other ingredient. Start with twice a week of application, then build up gradually from there.

What should I apply before and after niacinamide?

Hyaluronic Acid: Niacinamide pairs perfectly with hyaluronic acid for deep hydration. To plump up and hydrate the skin, use a hyaluronic acid serum before applying niacinamide. Vitamin C: Although you can use niacinamide serum and vitamin C together, you should apply them at different times of the day.

How to layer the ordinary salicylic acid?

On a little damp skin apply niacinamide serum, and then wait for 1–2 mins for it to totally sink in to your skin. Then go for your salicylic acid serum(ideally in 1 or 2% concentration). Layer it up with a good quality moisturizer according to your skin type.

What pairs well with salicylic acid?

For an enhanced skincare regimen, you can pair your salicylic acid serum with the following active ingredients:
  • Hyaluronic acid serum and salicylic acid serum. ...
  • Niacinamide serum and salicylic acid serum. ...
  • Alpha arbutin serum and salicylic acid serum.

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.

Is 10% niacinamide too much for beginners?

Now, most people can tolerate niacinamide well even at 10% twice daily. But if you have a mysterious skin rash or unexplained irritation, it could be time to take a closer look at your niacinamide levels.

What can niacinamide not be mixed with?

Niacinamide might not reach its full effectiveness when mixed with AHAs or BHAs. Moreover, this combination could be overwhelming for your skin, leading to adverse effects such as skin peeling, redness, and itchiness.

Can I use salicylic acid with retinol and niacinamide?

The simple answer, is yes, the more complicated answer is. As mentioned before, you can change the time of day you use these ingredients, for example, your morning routine could include a salicylic acid enriched face wash followed by retinol teamed with niacinamide in your evening routine.

Can I use salicylic acid every day?

It's fine to use Salicylic Acid as part of your daily skincare routine. Doing so will help to keep your skin clarified and refreshed while limiting excess oil production.

What is the 4 2 4 rule in skincare?

The 4-2-4 rule is a detailed cleansing routine that involves a four-minute oil massage, a two-minute cleanse with a water-based cleanser and a four-minute rinse with warm and cold water. Read ahead to know about the Japanese double cleanse routine, and what experts have to say about it.

What are the 7 steps of skincare?

  • Step 1: Cleansing. Start with the basics: skin cleansing. ...
  • Step 2: Exfoliation. Eliminate impurities and dead cells by carrying out an effective exfoliation. ...
  • Step 3: Mask. Apply a mask specific for you. ...
  • Step 4: Toner. ...
  • Step 5: Serum or concentrate. ...
  • Step 6: Eye contour. ...
  • Step 7: Moisturising cream. ...
  • Step 8: Sun protection!

Do you put retinol or niacinamide first?

It is not unusual to find a combination of niacinamide and retinol in a single skincare product, but you can use niacinamide and retinol as separate steps in a consistent routine. If you're using separate products, it is recommended that you apply retinol first then move forward with niacinamide application.

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