Is Niacinamide Better Than Salicylic Acid? Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid are best used based on individual skin concerns as they serve different purposes. Niacinamide hydrates the skin and reduces inflammation, while Salicylic Acid treats acne and exfoliates the skin.
They're both good ingredients for oily skin but they have different purposes. Niacinamide can help reduce oil production (but it's not a miracle product, it won't suddenly make you completely un-oily) whereas salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant and can help clear out your pores.
[1]Niacinamide is also a well-known skin care ingredient for its ability to fight acne and scarring. In fact, it's considered a healthier and more effective alternative to retinol.
Yes, a combination of niacinamide and salicylic acid can provide a myriad of benefits when properly incorporated into a consistent skin care regimen. Using niacinamide and salicylic acid together can help reduce the appearance of redness, inflammation, and clogged pores.
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 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.
Does niacinamide cause purging or breakouts? 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.
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.
Drugs that contain retinoic acids or tretinoin are often useful for moderate acne. These come as creams, gels and lotions. Examples include tretinoin (Avita, Retin-A, others), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac, Avage, others).
Benzoyl peroxide.
This ingredient kills bacteria that cause acne, helps remove excess oil from the skin and removes dead skin cells, which can clog pores. Benzoyl peroxide products that you can buy without a prescription are available in strengths from 2.5% to 10%.
Benzoyl peroxide works as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin. It also helps to reduce the number of whiteheads and blackheads, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
For those struggling with acne, inflammation, or excess oil production, niacinamide may be the better option. On the other hand, if your primary concern is dryness, dehydration, or aging skin, hyaluronic acid could be the way to go.
Does niacinamide help with blackheads? Yes, niacinamide helps with blackheads, but it would not be able to get rid of blackheads single handily. It can do this by preventing blackheads from developing thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation, regulate sebum production and minimise the appearance of pores.
If you have a pimple, using benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or a pimple patch can help it go away faster. Your dermatologist can give you a cortisone injection to make a deep, painful, inflamed pimple heal quickly. Avoid picking or trying to pop your pimple — this can lead to more inflammation, redness, and scarring.
While it is safe to use niacinamide and salicylic acid together, it's better to use one in the morning and the second in the night routine. When used in combination, it is best to use each active ingredient in a different formula, e.g. niacinamide in a serum and salicylic acid in a moisturizer or vice versa.
1 Known as "skin purging," worsening acne is a short-term reaction to ingredients that speed up cell turnover. Salicylic acid helps your body quickly get rid of dead skin cells. As a result, those dead skin cells, dirt, and oils appear on the surface of your skin, which clogs your pores and causes acne.
Niacinamide improves the health, appearance, and feel of your skin. It also helps treat many skin concerns, such as acne, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, and eczema. How long does it take for niacinamide to work? Niacinamide could take up to 4 to 12 weeks to work on your skin.
Purging often results in whiteheads and small raised red bumps on the skin, known as papules. True breakouts are more likely to induce nodules or cysts - larger, swollen, painful pimples that feel like knots under the skin. Purging usually appears where acne is common, like the forehead, cheeks, and chin.
Skin Type Suitability: Salicylic acid is particularly effective for oily and acne-prone skin due to its ability to penetrate and clean out pores. Niacinamide, on the other hand, is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and dry skin, due to its gentle and soothing properties. 3.
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.
Therefore, if you are a beginner to facial serums, start with 5% and increase as per your skin's tolerance. If your skin is used to active ingredients in a serum formulation, you can use 10% after doing a patch test.