What is better than hyaluronic acid or niacinamide?

Author: Lavon Murphy Sr.  |  Last update: Monday, July 7, 2025

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 better to use hyaluronic acid or niacinamide?

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.

What serum is better than hyaluronic acid?

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.

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 is more powerful than hyaluronic acid?

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.

TOP 3 MYTHS ABOUT NIACINAMIDE| Dr Dray

What is a good replacement for hyaluronic acid?

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.

What is 4 times more hydrating than 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.

Why do dermatologists recommend niacinamide?

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.

What is better for wrinkles, 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.

What is the best hyaluronic serum for aging skin?

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.

What are the cons of hyaluronic acid serum?

Are there any side effects to using hyaluronic acid?
  • Bruising.
  • Sore injection site.
  • Swelling.
  • Formation of tiny, generally temporary bumps.

How long to wait between hyaluronic acid and niacinamide?

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.

What should you not mix niacinamide with?

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.

Is it better to use hyaluronic acid in the morning or at night?

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.

Which face serum is best?

  • Vitamin C Daily Glow Face Serum With Vitamin C & Turmeric for Radiant Skin - 30 ml. ...
  • Skin Correct Face Serum with Niacinamide and Ginger Extract for Acne Marks and Scars - 30 ml. ...
  • Vitamin C Daily Glow Face Serum 10 ml. ...
  • Rice Water Dewy Active Serum With Rice Water & 10% Niacinamide For Glass Skin - 50 ml.

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.

Who should not use niacinamide?

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.

Does niacinamide help with wrinkles?

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.

What ingredient is better than niacinamide?

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 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.

What is even better than hyaluronic acid?

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.

What happens if you use too much hyaluronic acid?

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.

Which is better for hydration 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.

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