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.
The critical difference between the two is that hyaluronic acid is helpful mainly in hydrating the skin. In contrast, niacinamide helps remove aging signs, treat acne, and provide an even skin tone. So, you can try them individually or even together as per your individual needs.
If your skin isn't feeling very hydrated using a hyaluronic acid I would recommend trying The Inkey List Polyglutamic acid hydrating serum. It was a game changer for me and only thing that made my skin look great. It works better than a hyaluronic acid if you live in an area with low humidity.
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.
Not as well-known as Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, commonly abbreviated as “PGA,” is believed to have 4x greater moisture retaining benefits than HA. If you have dull, dry, or dehydrated skin, you should consider incorporating Polyglutamic Acid Serum into your skincare recipe.
One of the most well known ingredients used in cosmetics to rehydrate and plump the skin is Hyaluronic Acid (HA). However, Polyglutamic Acid (PGA) is a trending humectant that quenches skin dryness and provides additional skin benefits based on molecular weight, similar to Hyaluronic Acid.
Polyglutamic acid is a humectant – a substance used to reduce the loss of moisture - derived from soybeans, and is a supercharged, powerful skincare ingredient with 4 X the HYDRATING POWER of hyaluronic acid.
Niacinamide prevents pigment from being transferred to the upper layers of skin where it becomes visible to the naked eye, says Dr. Maarouf. It also minimizes the appearance of pores and redness, leaving your skin as a smooth, even canvas. It regulates oil production.
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.
In anti-aging products, hyaluronic acid can be used for targeting fine lines and wrinkles because the added hydration supports more supple, plumped skin. With this in mind, we recommend the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum as the best option for fine lines.
Hyaluronic acid serums are usually lightweight and absorb quickly, so you don't need to wait longer than a minute or two to apply a niacinamide cream. If both products are thick or sticky, wait until the skin absorbs the first layer to avoid mixing and diluting the products.
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.
If you have dehydrated skin, use hyaluronic acid serum both in the morning and at night. In the morning, it might help hydrate your skin and prepare it for the day ahead. At night, it might help repair and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizer to lock in the hydration.
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.
Niacin and niacinamide may make allergies worse by increasing histamine. People with low blood pressure should not take niacin or niacinamide because they may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Niacinamide can also help with fine lines, pigmentation, and wrinkles. A few studies published a few years ago show significant improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. That study needs further research as another split-face study seems to suggest that the nutrient is ineffective.
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.
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.
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.
While they're both effective hydration ingredients, polyglutamic acid has better performance and additional benefits to moisturize that hyaluronic acid does not have. Bondi says that “depending on the source, polyglutamic acid holds 4,000-5,000 times its weight in water.
Too many layers of HA can leave a film on the surface, blocking pores and potentially leading to breakouts. Less can truly be more—especially when it comes to HA.
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.