What should I put on my skin after niacinamide?

Author: Coy Rodriguez  |  Last update: Saturday, July 19, 2025

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.

What to put on face after niacinamide?

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. Sun protection: To protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Should I moisturize after niacinamide?

Niacinamide can be applied after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing. If you're using it in serum form, dispense a small amount and gently pat it into the skin. You can follow with a moisturizer to lock in hydration. It can be used both in the morning and at night.

What not to use after 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.

What should I apply before and after niacinamide?

Hyaluronic Acid: Niacinamide pairs perfectly with hyaluronic acid for deep hydration. To plump up and hydrate the skin, use a hyaluronic acid serum before applying niacinamide. Vitamin C: Although you can use niacinamide serum and vitamin C together, you should apply them at different times of the day.

why the ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% is causing purging and breakouts 😅

What to layer niacinamide with?

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.

Which moisturizer is best to use after niacinamide?

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.

What you Cannot mix 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.

What compliments 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 does niacinamide react badly with?

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.

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 order does niacinamide go in?

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.

What is the best moisturizer with niacinamide?

Our Top Picks:
  • Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Metacell Renewal B3, $130.
  • Best for Dry Skin: Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum, $38.
  • Best for Oily Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream, $100.
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum, $42.

How do you use niacinamide for best results?

First, you can use niacinamide products daily and add them to your evening and morning skincare ritual. In general, you'll want to apply niacinamide serum to a freshly washed face before using moisturizers or sunscreen. Plus, give each product time to absorb in the skin before applying another.

Is 10% niacinamide too much?

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.

How long after niacinamide can I apply moisturizer?

Given that it often comes in serum form, niacinamide should be applied after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing.

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.

Do and don'ts niacinamide?

Don't: glycolic acid and niacinamide

Glycolic acid and niacinamide have quite different PH levels, so it's best not to use them at the same time to avoid an unwanted interaction. We recommend using glycolic acid at night and niacinamide in the morning.

What can I alternate niacinamide with?

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.

What works best with niacinamide?

Niacinamide and Vitamin C: Both of these ingredients brighten your skin, and together they're even more effective at fading dark spots and evening out your skin tone, giving you a brighter complexion. Niacinamide and Retinol: Combining these two can make anti-aging easier.

What deactivates niacinamide?

Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid):
  • Why? Combining niacinamide with pure Vitamin C can destabilize both ingredients, potentially reducing their effectiveness.
  • Best Approach: Use them at different times of the day (Vitamin C in the morning, niacinamide at night).

Can I use niacinamide every day?

It's an ingredient found in a number of moisturizing skin-care products as well as in certain foods and supplements like multivitamins. Can you use niacinamide every day? Yes. In fact, you can use niacinamide-containing topical products in the morning and night because it's generally a gentle ingredient.

What to layer after niacinamide?

You can combine AHAs with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. AHAs and BHAs can cause dryness and irritation. Niacinamide has moisturising properties that make it suitable to layer with any of these actives. Never combine AHAs with retinol or AHAs with BHAs because it can lead to irritation.

What should you not mix with niacinamide?

Many skincare experts believe it best to avoid mixing vitamin C with niacinamide. This is a topic that creates a lot of debate amongst skincare, and you may find it confusing which one to believe.

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.

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