How to use niacinamide serum for beginners?

Author: Ken Walker I  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Use the handy dropper provided with the serum to dispense a few drops onto your fingertips. Apply 2-3 drops of the serum evenly to your face & neck and gently dab it in. Follow up with a niacinamide gel moisturizer and a niacinamide hybrid sunscreen for best results.

How do you use niacinamide serum for the first time?

After you cleanse apply Niacinamide on damp skin not to wet. Apply two drops of Niacinamide on to your hands, rub hands together slightly and then rub all over your face (particularly oiley areas and pores) followed by patting dry, wait 30 secs then seal in with your moisturiser.

Can I use niacinamide serum every day?

If you're wondering how often you can use niacinamide, the answer is pretty simple: every single day! In fact, we recommend applying twice daily in order to see the benefits, which include visibly improvement of discoloration, a brighter complexion, and clearer-looking skin.

Do and don'ts niacinamide?

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.

What should you not mix with niacinamide?

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.

Why The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is Breaking You Out!

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.

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 are the disadvantages of niacinamide on face?

What are the side effects of Niacinamide? Topical application is completely safe and may not cause any skin problems for a healthy person. People with sensitive skin may face mild redness, itching, or a burning sensation. Stomach upset.

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 is the best combination with niacinamide?

Niacinamide + salicylic acid is what you need in your skincare routine. Salicylic acid is best known for its deep-cleansing properties and deep-penetrating action to unclog pores and slough off dead and dry skin. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salicylic acid help clear away pustules and papules.

How to know if niacinamide is working?

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.

Why is my skin getting darker after using niacinamide serum?

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.

Who cannot use niacinamide serum?

Gallbladder disease: Niacinamide might make gallbladder disease worse. Kidney dialysis: Taking niacinamide seems to increase the risk of low platelet levels in people with kidney failure who are on dialysis. Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Niacinamide might make ulcers worse.

Should I put niacinamide on dry or wet?

“Niacinamide is best absorbed on damp skin,” the dermatologist suggested. If you are using it in combination with other active skincare ingredients, you can apply it on dry skin. “Otherwise, as a solo agent, application on damp skin gives best results,” dermatologist Aanchal Panth added.

Can I leave niacinamide serum overnight?

A basic hydrating moisturizer with niacinamide can be used morning or night (or both), while anti-aging formulas may be better suited for nighttime use. One of our favorite niacinamide moisturizers is the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide at night.

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.

How to correctly apply niacinamide serum?

Begin by cleansing your face thoroughly. A clean face aids in better absorption and gives better results. Use the handy dropper provided with the serum to dispense a few drops onto your fingertips. Apply 2-3 drops of the serum evenly to your face & neck and gently dab it in.

Can I use hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together?

You can use hyaluronic acid and niacinamide serums in the same routine. Fact. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are actually quite complementary. Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate and plump the skin, while niacinamide supports skin barrier function, reduces excess oil, and helps brighten the skin tone.

Is it OK to use niacinamide everyday?

How often should you use niacinamide? For optimal benefits, we recommend using niacinamide either daily or twice a day. Whether you apply niacinamide once or twice a day will depend on your skin type, skin concerns and which other ingredients are contained within your morning and night routines.

Does niacinamide cause weight gain?

The present study also showed that nicotinamide supplementation was associated with a dose-dependent increase in oxidative tissue injury. This may account for why high doses of nicotinamide do not promote weight gain (see Fig. 7(a) and Shibata et al.

Does niacinamide remove dark spots?

Niacinamide, a vitamin B3 derivative, is effective at reducing hyperpigmentation, capable of lightening dark spots significantly after several weeks' usage. Importantly, niacinamide is NOT a skin bleaching agent.

What can I layer over niacinamide?

You can (and should) consider layering niacinamide and retinol in the same routine, especially if you have sensitive skin. Retinol is a well-known ingredient that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging.

How long will my skin purge from niacinamide?

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.

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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