What serum is best to layer with niacinamide?

Author: Anthony Bernhard  |  Last update: Sunday, January 25, 2026

Together, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help boost hydration and soothe the skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Layering niacinamide and hyaluronic acid is beneficial for all skin types since everyone can afford more hydration in their routine.

What serums can you layer with niacinamide?

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.

What serum to use with niacinamide?

Check out the list of ingredients that positively combine with niacinamide to benefit your skin effectively:
  • Niacinamide and vitamin C. ...
  • Niacinamide and retinol. ...
  • Niacinamide and salicylic acid. ...
  • Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. ...
  • Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica.

What is the best combination with niacinamide?

Niacinamide Combos We Love
  • Niacinamide + Vitamin C: The Radiance Enhancing Pair. ...
  • Niacinamide + Alpha Arbutin: The Skin Brightening Couple. ...
  • Niacinamide + Retinol. ...
  • Niacinamide + Salicylic Acid (BHA): The Pore Perfecting Couple. ...
  • Niacinamide + Ceramides: The Skin Restoring Duo.

What should not be layered with niacinamide?

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.

Acids 101: Every Skin Care Acid Explained!

What serum not to use with niacinamide?

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.

Can I mix niacinamide with hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid and Niacinamide are a great pair as both are water-based treatments. 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.

What is best to apply after niacinamide?

Apply niacinamide serum on a cleansed skin and let it absorb. After a few seconds, follow up with hyaluronic acid face serum.

What is the best pair with the ordinary niacinamide?

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.

Do and don'ts niacinamide?

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.

What order do you apply niacinamide serum?

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.

Is it okay to use 10% niacinamide serum every day?

If you're wondering how often you can use niacinamide, the answer is pretty simple: every single day! In fact, we recommend applying twice daily in order to see the benefits, which include visibly improvement of discoloration, a brighter complexion, and clearer-looking skin.

Is it OK to use vitamin C serum with niacinamide?

Yes, you can use vitamin C with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. To layer them, apply vitamin C first after cleansing, let it absorb, then apply niacinamide. Finish with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.

How to layer products with niacinamide?

It's always advisable to apply leave-on Niacinamide products like toners, serums, moisturisers, etc., twice a day. Bear in mind that you can have more than one Niacinamide product in your skincare routine. After cleaning and drying your skin, you can apply a Niacinamide toner, then a Niacinamide serum, or a face cream.

What are the side effects of using niacinamide on your face?

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.

What goes first, retinol or niacinamide?

It is not unusual to find a combination of niacinamide and retinol in a single skincare product, but you can use niacinamide and retinol as separate steps in a consistent routine. If you're using separate products, it is recommended that you apply retinol first then move forward with niacinamide application.

What is best mixed with niacinamide?

Using benzoyl peroxide with niacinamide is beneficial, as niacinamide helps balance out oil production, support the natural skin barrier, whilst benzoyl peroxide will help oxygenate the pores and manage bacteria.

What should you never mix niacinamide with?

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.

What Ordinary product to use with niacinamide?

Pairing Suggestions for Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Once your skin is cleansed, apply Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Layer with our Multi-Peptide + HA Serum next. The water-based Multi-Peptide + HA Serum improves skin's smoothness, skin elasticity and firmness while improving the look of crow's feet.

What should I put on my skin after niacinamide?

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.

Can I use ceramide with niacinamide?

Yes, combining niacinamide and ceramides can help soothe sensitive or inflamed skin. The pairing of niacinamide with ceramides can contribute to both immediate, visible results and the long-term visible improvement of skin's appearance and hydration.

How to know if niacinamide is working?

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.

What to avoid when using niacinamide?

Don't: use at high concentrations

At higher concentrations, niacinamide may cause redness and irritation, warns Dr. Garshick. “While having anti-inflammatory properties, when niacinamide is used in higher concentrations, it may cause contact dermatitis, which may manifest as redness and a rash,” she says.

In what order should I use my ordinary products?

How To Build A Skincare Routine With The Ordinary Products
  1. Cleanser. Cleansing should always be the first step in your routine. ...
  2. Exfoliator. Once you've cleansed your skin in the morning, exfoliating should be next. ...
  3. Hydration serum. ...
  4. Eye serum. ...
  5. Antioxidant serum. ...
  6. Moisturiser. ...
  7. SPF. ...
  8. Cleanser.

Should I use niacinamide in the morning or night?

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).

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