Is there anything better than niacinamide?

Author: Mikel Hammes DVM  |  Last update: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can offer unique benefits for dry skin. However, as a powerful humectant, hyaluronic acid is usually recommended for dry skin. Its hydration benefits are 1000 times more than that of niacinamide. It's also a great agent for boosting skin barrier function.

What works better than niacinamide?

Vitamin c or retinoid is a great alternative for niacinamide. Just sad you have to give up on Niacinamide. Im a fan of niacinamide for years now. Just recently, I switched to dermafirm cica ac serum, it only has 2% niacinamide and 70% cica.

What to replace niacinamide with?

Vitamin c or retinoid is a great alternative for niacinamide. Just sad you have to give up on Niacinamide. Im a fan of niacinamide for years now. Just recently, I switched to dermafirm cica ac serum, it only has 2% niacinamide and 70% cica.

Is niacinamide the best skincare ingredient?

And if there's one all-around, crowd-pleaser ingredient in skincare, it's niacinamide. It's a super vitamin that suits almost every skin type but is especially loved by those with acne-prone skin. Keep reading the article to discover how niacinamide helps reduce and prevent stubborn pimples and blemishes.

Which is better, tretinoin or niacinamide?

Tretinoin can be quite irritating to the skin, especially when it is first introduced into a skincare routine. Niacinamide's anti-inflammatory properties can help counteract some of this irritation and dryness caused by tretinoin.

Niacin vs. Niacinamide

Which is better for anti-aging, retinol or niacinamide?

Retinol is usually more effective than niacinamide. The adverse side effects of retinol are not present in niacinamide. From a molecular standpoint, retinol mainly penetrates the skin's outer layer. Niacinamide can permeate the skin more deeply than retinol, mainly when made with soy components.

Does anything work better than tretinoin?

Another randomized vehicle controlled parallel comparison trial of tazarotene cream at various strengths compared to tretinoin 0.05% cream and found tazarotene at higher concentrations (0.1%) was associated with improved mottled hyperpigmentation and fine wrinkles compared to the tretinoin 0.05% group.

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.

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.

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 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.

Which skin type should not use niacinamide?

In general, niacinamide is considered suitable for all skin types and, per the Cleveland Clinic, is rarely associated with side effects. Still, as with any skincare ingredient, it's best to introduce it to your skincare routine slowly to help minimize the potential for redness or irritation.

What ingredients can replace niacinamide?

Aloe vera is renowned for its soothing and hydrating properties, making it an excellent alternative to niacinamide. Benefits: - Hydration: Aloe vera is rich in water content, providing deep hydration to the skin. - Anti-inflammatory: It reduces redness and soothes irritated skin.

Is niacinamide really worth it?

Niacinamide, alone or with other active ingredients, may help reduce pores and roughness and improve overall skin appearance. Studies have found that using only 4% niacinamide improved pores, roughness, and skin unevenness after 8 weeks.

Should I buy hyaluronic acid or niacinamide?

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.

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.

Why is my skin getting darker after using niacinamide?

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.

Is 10% niacinamide too much?

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 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.

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.

What OTC is closest to tretinoin?

Retinaldehyde is considered the closest over-the-counter alternative to tretinoin and is suitable for all skin types. It provides comparable skin renewing benefits while being less irritating, making it a suitable choice for those looking for effective yet gentle retinoid options.

Is microneedling better than tretinoin?

Microneedling is a more effective and permanent treatment option for comedonal acne compared with tretinoin. Patients' satisfaction with the improvement in acne severity is also higher with microneedling procedure.

What is stronger than tretinoin for wrinkles?

Tazarotene is more expensive than tretinoin because it is a third-generation retinoid, meaning it is newer to the market than tretinoin. Tazarotene is also stronger than tretinoin, which could account for its higher price tag.

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