One of our fave combos is combining niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together before applying them to the skin.
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.
Niacinamide + salicylic acid is what you need in your skincare routine. Salicylic acid is best known for its deep-cleansing properties and deep-penetrating action to unclog pores and slough off dead and dry skin. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of salicylic acid help clear away pustules and papules.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Niacinamide is possibly safe when taken in doses up to 900-1500 mg daily. It might cause side effects such as stomach upset, gas, dizziness, headache, and rash. When applied to the skin: Niacinamide is possibly safe. Niacinamide cream might cause mild burning, itching, or redness.
Both have been praised for their remarkable benefits in improving skin texture, hydration, and overall complexion. The increased popularity of these ingredients has left many with a pressing question: Can you use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together? The short answer: Yes!
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.
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.
Niacinamide is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects, which are beneficial for treating acne and conditions such as eczema, Frieling adds. Choose a moisturizer for oily skin, like EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, that helps the epidermis absorb and retain moisture.
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).
The present study also showed that nicotinamide supplementation was associated with a dose-dependent increase in oxidative tissue injury. This may account for why high doses of nicotinamide do not promote weight gain (see Fig. 7(a) and Shibata et al.
Therefore, if you are a beginner to facial serums, start with 5% and increase as per your skin's tolerance. If your skin is used to active ingredients in a serum formulation, you can use 10% after doing a patch test.
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.
Using niacinamide with glycolic acid is not recommended. Niacinamide has a high pH level, whereas acids have low pH levels. When mixed, niacinamide will increase the pH levels of glycolic acid, making it less effective and hindering absorption into the skin.
How Long Will It Take to See the Results of Niacinamide? While some niacinamide-containing products start to show initial benefits in two weeks, most results will show in four weeks or more.
One of our fave combos is combining niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together before applying them to the skin. For those wondering "Can you use lactic acid and niacinamide together?", yes you can! Check out our guides on how to use The Ordinary's Lactic acid and how to use The Ordinary Niacinamide serum.
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.
When used together, always go with applying hyaluronic acid first, followed by Niacinamide. By following this, you would be able to attract plenty of hydration first. After that, apply Niacinamide to help regulate sebum production and help with the minimization of pores.