For smoother-looking skin, pair Retinaldehyde and Hyaluronic Acid. For clearer-looking skin, pair Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. For hydrated skin, pair Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.
You can pair niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together as part of your skincare routine, as both are water-based ingredients. A hyaluronic acid product like Hyalu B5 serum should be applied first to hydrate and replenish the skin.
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.
In this video, I will show you how to use The Ordinary 100% Niacinamide Powder. You can mix it with the following products from The Ordinary brand: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (3-5 drops) “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% (3-5 drops) Matrixyl 10% + HA (3-5 drops) Argireline Solution 10% (5-8 drops) Natural Moisturizing Facto.
To finish your routine, you can put on heavy cream products, like moisturizers. Rub that into your skin on top of the Niacinamide 10% Zinc 1% and any oil-based serum that you used. Always save any heavy creams for last, because they take the longest to soak into your skin.
You can mix the Niacinamide Powder with any non-conflicting water-based solution (such as creams or serums) that has a pH between 5.1 and 7.
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.
Similar to retinol, niacinamide should not be used with acidic skincare ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids. Ordinary niacinamide combined with an acid can cause a bad chemical reaction of redness and flushing.
You can combine niacinamide with all other serums and creams. For example vitamin c serum with niacinamide works wonders for the skin. You can also use it with retinol, Hyaluronic acid, BHAs, or AHAs. Niacinamide and retinol work well together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do: Pair with other active ingredients. Niacinamide can be paired with ingredients to address hyperpigmentation, such as lactic and glycolic acids to provide synergistic results, or can be combined with retinol to help boost tolerability and stimulate ceramide production, notes Dr. Garshick.
It's suitable for all skin types and fits easily into your existing skincare routine. As for when to use niacinamide serum, we typically recommend applying products in order of consistency. That means your serum should come after toner, but before richer lotions or creams.
Applying sunscreen at the end of your skincare routine is a must. Whether you are using a 5% niacinamide or a 10% niacinamide, ensure to follow up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen generously to avoid sun damage.
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.
The Ordinary niacinamide can actually be used daily both day and/or night after cleansing the skin. Niacinamide is an ingredient that is great for overall skin health, so it can easily slot into any skincare routine.
Which The Ordinary products should not be used together? Many people are divided over which ingredients can and can't be layered together, however 'best practice' advice from dermatologists is not to layer acids with each other, or with vitamin C, or retinoids.
4. When should I apply niacinamide? Niacinamide can also be used morning and/or night, but as it's an antioxidant and can help to control oil and treat breakouts (invisibly!), it is well-suited to a morning routine (just avoid layering it with vitamin C as the two can make each other unstable).