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.
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 serums, being lightweight, should be applied before the thicker-textured retinol products. For an evening skincare routine: Begin with a mild, non-exfoliating acid cleanser to cleanse the skin. Pat dry after. Apply a hydrating toner if available; otherwise, skip this step.
Use a few drops of niacinamide serum on your face and neck, gently patting it into the skin. Serums have a lightweight texture, allowing the active ingredient to penetrate deeply. After applying the serum, use a moisturizer to lock in hydration and further support your skin barrier.
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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.
Bear in mind that you can have more than one Niacinamide product in your skincare routine. After cleaning and drying your skin, you can apply a Niacinamide toner, then a Niacinamide serum, or a face cream. What we emphasise most is the order of layering of the product.
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 vitamin C: Niacinamide and vitamin C can cause skin irritation and discoloration when used together, so it's best to use them at different times of the day. Don't overuse: While niacinamide is generally well-tolerated, overusing it can cause redness and irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.
If your niacinamide product is a serum, make sure to apply a moisturizer on top of it. In the daytime, always finish with an SPF. If you're using a niacinamide product like our Renewing Cream at night, it can be your last skincare step!
Hyaluronic Acid: Niacinamide pairs perfectly with hyaluronic acid for deep hydration. To plump up and hydrate the skin, use a hyaluronic acid serum before applying niacinamide. Vitamin C: Although you can use niacinamide serum and vitamin C together, you should apply them at different times of the day.
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.
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.
Consider pairing your niacinamide face serum with hyaluronic acid for an enhanced skincare regimen. 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.
Yes, you can use vitamin C with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. To layer them, apply vitamin C first after cleansing, let it absorb, then apply niacinamide. Finish with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.
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.
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).
Combining niacinamide with pure Vitamin C can destabilize both ingredients, potentially reducing their effectiveness. Best Approach: Use them at different times of the day (Vitamin C in the morning, niacinamide at night).
Take for example Vitamin C and Niacinamide - two active ingredients we don't recommend using together in the same routine. The key word here is routine. You can use Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% in the AM routine and Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% in the PM routine -- just not together in the morning or evening.
There are several active ingredients that can be paired together and are beneficial for your skin. However, glycolic acid and niacinamide cannot be used together at the same time. This is because mixing these two ingredients can make these acids less effective.
When layered, retinol and niacinamide have a direct compensation benefit, as retinol stimulates the skin while niacinamide helps strengthen. As they both have a neutral base and are neither acidic or alkaline, the ingredients can also be combined in a formula, such as the La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum.
“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.
While niacinamide plays well with most ingredients, there are some you should avoid pairing it with. For example, mixing niacinamide with acidic ingredients like glycolic or lactic acid can cause flushing and potential irritation.