Layer Wisely: Apply niacinamide before heavier treatments like oils or creams to ensure it gets absorbed properly into the skin. Remember, products with a water-based formula should go on before those with an oil-based formula.
- Combine with Other Ingredients: Niacinamide can be combined with other active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, or vitamin C for enhanced benefits. However, it's essential to introduce new products slowly to avoid overwhelming the skin.
Niacinamide can be applied after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing. If you're using it in serum form, dispense a small amount and gently pat it into the skin. You can follow with a moisturizer to lock in hydration. It can be used both in the morning and at night.
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.
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.
Don't use it with exfoliating ingredients: Niacinamide can increase skin sensitivity, so it's best to avoid using it with exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Don't use it if you have an allergy: Niacinamide, like any other skincare ingredient, can cause allergic reactions in some people.
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.
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. One of the biggest issues of overdoing niacinamide isn't necessarily the one 10% product you may have.
Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
While you may not see any significant results during the first few weeks, there should be a notable difference by about 4 weeks. After 8 weeks, you should notice more hydrated, smoother, and toned skin.
With twice the concentration of their 5% counterparts, 10% niacinamide products offer enhanced delivery of nutrients to skin cells. This often leads to amplified results, especially when minimising pores, evening skin texture, fading hyperpigmentation, and smoothing fine lines.
How long does Niacinamide take to work? Using 5% or 10% Niacinamide-containing products show better effects with no skin problems like irritation. Most studies show that even though you may find improvement immediately after starting Niacinamide, it usually takes anywhere between 8-12 weeks for a visible change.
Purging should end if the breakouts last longer than these 6 weeks. Purging usually occurs when you start a new skincare product that accelerates the turnover rate of your skin cells. The most common culprits behind purging are acids (AHA, BHA), retinoids, vitamin C, or even niacinamide.
This might happen when you apply around sensitive areas, like your eyes, but, again, your skin should build up a tolerance to using niacinamide over time. You can use niacinamide in your skin-care routine on a long-term basis, specifically if you're using it for anti-aging concerns, Dr. Amin says.
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.
Niacin deficiency is more likely to be caused by problems that affect the absorption of niacin or tryptophan. The most common cause is alcoholism. Other possible causes include disorders of the digestive system and prolonged treatment with the tuberculosis drug isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid).
Niacin users often experience “prickly heat” or a sense of warmth in the face, neck, ears, trunk, and, less frequently, the upper or lower extremities. Other common features include erythema, itching, and tingling. Symptoms typically last for less than 1 hour to 2.5 hours.
Also, ask about niacin extended-release formulations, as it causes less flushing. Finally, take higher doses of niacin at night before bedtime to help reduce the severity of side effects and sleep through any stomach upset.
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.
Most people can tolerate up to 10% without experiencing stinging, but higher concentrations might irritate the skin, and too little niacinamide concentration provides less benefits to the skin. There's little justification for exceeding this 10% threshold in skincare products.
Combining niacinamide with hyaluronic acid can brighten, hydrate, and plump up your skin. Apply niacinamide serum on a cleansed skin and let it absorb. After a few seconds, follow up with hyaluronic acid face serum.