It's typically best to use niacinamide first, followed by AHA/BHA products, or to alternate using them on different days. It's also important to wear sunscreen because AHAs and BHAs can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
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.
If pigmentation and blemishes are your primary concern, then niacinamide and vitamin C is your go-to combination. Vitamin C expresses its skin-brightening capabilities by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme required for pigment production.
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.
Serumique niacinamide can typically be used once or twice daily. It's best applied after cleansing and toning your skin but before heavier products like moisturizers or oils. This allows the niacinamide to penetrate effectively and deliver its benefits.
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.
Many people notice a significant decrease in acne and breakouts after just a few weeks of using niacinamide. Its anti-inflammatory effects and management of oil production helps keep your skin clearer and smoother. Users notice a smoother skin texture and reduction in pore size after a few weeks of use.
Niacinamide and vitamin C are a dynamic duo for brightening the complexion and reducing the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. This combination leverages vitamin C's potent antioxidant properties and niacinamide's ability to improve skin's resilience and reduce inflammation.
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.
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.
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.
When using niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together, we recommend using hyaluronic acid first, followed by niacinamide. This layering method allows hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin effectively, drawing moisture from the environment, while niacinamide helps to strengthen the skin barrier and lock in that hydration.
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.
Moisturize: Finish by hydrating your skin with a moisturiser. Because niacinamide can help improve skin barrier function, using a moisturizer will help lock in the serum's benefits.
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.
While niacinamide offers certain benefits, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Some individuals may experience dryness, irritation, or breakouts with niacinamide products. If you've had any adverse reactions or simply prefer a gentler, more natural approach, aloe vera could be the perfect alternative.
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.
WHEN TO EXPECT VISIBLE IMPROVEMENTS. In skincare, patience is a virtue. And with niacinamide, the wait is definitely worthwhile. Scientific studies suggest it takes around eight weeks when using niacinamide to see visible improvements in hyperpigmentation, although some users may see benefits more quickly than that.
"Niacinamide reduces sebum production, which can both help prevent acne and also diminish shine," says dermatologist Kenneth Howe, MD.