Does niacinamide cancel out vitamin C?

Author: Carmela Stiedemann  |  Last update: Monday, September 15, 2025

However, since not all skincare products get along with one another, you might be wondering — can you mix niacinamide and vitamin C? The short answer is yes, you can use these two ingredients together and see some serious skin benefits.

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!

What should you never mix niacinamide with?

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.

What to avoid with vitamin C serum?

How not to use it: vitamin C mistakes to avoid
  • Using an expired or oxidised serum:
  • Forgetting to patch test:
  • Using too much or too little:
  • Not using sunscreen:
  • Using a low-quality or ineffective serum:
  • Benzoyl peroxide:
  • Retinol:
  • AHAs and BHAs:

Does vitamin C and niacinamide cause breakouts?

Higher concentrations of Niacinamide can cause skin irritation. Nicotinic Acid is the primary reason behind breakouts. 3% to 6% is the ideal concentration of Niacinamide to improve hyperpigmentation, pore size, and dull skin.

Vitamin C serum with niacinamide?| Dr Dray

Why vitamin C Cannot be used with niacinamide?

The misconception that you shouldn't use niacinamide and vitamin C together originates from outdated studies conducted in the 1960s. These early studies suggested that combining these ingredients could render them ineffective or cause skin irritation due to the instability of vitamin C in certain formulations.

Am I breaking out because of niacinamide?

Niacinamide isn't typically known to cause purging, but some people may experience mild breakouts as their skin adjusts. These usually clear up within a few weeks.

What cancels out vitamin C?

Vitamin C + Niacinamide

However, when you combine niacinamide with Vitamin C, they'll cancel each other out chemically, making both formulas ineffective on your skin. Niacinamide takes out all the good properties of Vitamin C and makes it into a substance that can cause redness and trigger breakouts.

Why am I getting pimples after using vitamin C serum?

Acids, vitamin C serums and retinoids can all cause purging. Purging is an initial acne breakout that can occur when you're starting a new active skincare product—one that causes your skin cells to turn over more quickly.

What deactivates vitamin C?

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids), 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.

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 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 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.

Can I use vitamin C in the morning then niacinamide 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.

Is niacinamide good for inflammation?

Niacinamide has been shown to ease inflammation, which can help calm redness due to conditions like acne, rosacea and eczema. It can also soothe irritation caused by strong exfoliants like retinol or glycolic acid that remove dead cells from the surface of your skin.

What does vitamin C purging look like?

Skin purging can show itself as red bumps, whiteheads and blackheads on the face. In addition, it causes dead skin cells to surface, which results in flakiness and dryness. These signs can also indicate your skin is getting accustomed to a product.

Which is the best serum for acne prone skin?

Plum's best serums for acne prone skin
  • 2% Encapsulated Salicylic Acid Face Serum.
  • 10% Niacinamide Face Serum with Rice Water.
  • 5% Niacinamide Face Serum With Rice Water.
  • 3% Zinc Complex Face Serum with Green Tea.
  • 15% Vitamin C Face Serum with Mandarin (20ml)

Why does my face get darker after using vitamin C serum?

4) Why does my skin look darker after using Vitamin C? If you are applying Vitamin C without sunscreen, it is likely that the Vitamin C degrades into Erythrulose, which is an ingredient you will find in many self-tanners. So please make sure you apply sunscreen always after applying Vitamin C.

What cannot be used 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.

What method destroys vitamin C?

Vitamin C can be destroyed by heat and light. High-heat cooking temperatures or prolonged cook times can break down the vitamin. Because it is water-soluble, the vitamin can also seep into cooking liquid and be lost if the liquids are not eaten.

What reacts badly with vitamin C?

Possible interactions include: Aluminum. Taking vitamin C can increase your absorption of aluminum from medications containing aluminum, such as phosphate binders. This can be harmful for people with kidney problems.

Can I use niacinamide with vitamin C?

Research shows that you're safe to mix both niacinamide and vitamin C, either together in the same product or combined from different products that you layer one over the other.

Is 10% niacinamide too strong?

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.

What do purging pimples look like?

Appearance. Acne purging and breakouts can look similar at first glance, with increased red bumps and pimples. However, purging tends to cause uniform congestion, affecting the entire area where you applied the new treatment. Breakouts often appear more sporadic in your usual problem spots.

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