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.
Niacinamide is great for bumpy skin, while Retinol is good for dark patches and has anti-aging properties.
Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a potent antioxidant that works to protect and soothe skin while supporting a healthy skin barrier to reduce the impact of environmental damage. It is best known for its ability to minimize the look of discoloration and dark spots, resulting in a more even-toned complexion.
Due to its potent and direct action, tretinoin is much more effective at accelerating skin renewal. It helps shed the outer layer of the skin more rapidly and promotes the growth of new skin cells, which can clear up acne and rejuvenate the skin more effectively than retinol.
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.
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 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.
Bakuchiol extract comes from the Babchi plant, known for its purple blossoms and its use in Chinese and Indian medicine. The extract can be found in daily moisturizers, serums and creams. “Bakuchiol is often used as a gentler alternative to retinol.
Crystal Retinal contains retinAL; a next-generation vitamin A which acts 11x faster than standard retinOL. And, unlike others, our patented retinal stability system ensures unmatched retinal potency and effectiveness until the very last drop.
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.
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.
Some may also have skin discoloration due to using niacinamide combined with other active ingredients that are too harsh for your skin type. Niacinamide can also cause problems when it's mixed with the following substances: Acids, including lactic acid, glycolic acid, and azelaic acid.
Both ingredients can fade hyperpigmentation and increase collagen production. Vitamin C (depending on the percentage) can be more harsh for sensitive skin types. Or, you might want to use niacinamide if you have acne-prone skin, and leverage Vitamin C for fading post-acne marks and dark spots.
First, use niacinamide and then layer retinol to protect your skin from any irritation. The optimal pH level for retinol activation is between 5.5 and 6 and topical niacinamide is most effective at a pH of 5-7. Neither ingredient will alter the pH of the other and instead work to increase the effectiveness of each.
Retinol and vitamin C
The combination can help even out the texture and tone of your skin. Both products can cause skin irritation, so you'll want to add one at a time over a couple of weeks. It's best to use a product with vitamin C in the morning and keep the retinol for nighttime.
Tretinoin can be quite irritating to the skin, especially when it is first introduced into a skincare routine. Niacinamide's anti-inflammatory properties can help counteract some of this irritation and dryness caused by tretinoin.
We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.
Bakuchiol: Nature's Answer To Retinol
Bakuchiol, for instance, is regarded as one of the most effective natural retinol alternatives out in the market today.
Some of the highest concentrations you'll find over the counter include Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream, No7 Advanced Retinol 0.3% Complex Night Concentrate, and Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment.
At night, Aniston treats her skin with a dose of retinol, specifically the Shani Darden Retinol Reform Treatment Serum ($90).
Because body products are used on larger areas of skin, they may contribute to higher levels of vitamin A in the bloodstream. By limiting the retinol concentration in body products to just 0.05%, the EU hopes to prevent higher concentrations of vitamin A from accumulating in the body.
Korean ladies use facial massage to promote circulation and bring oxygen and nutrients to the skin's surface. It's an amazing way to boost skin's radiance and combat fine lines and wrinkles. Start with a dab of your favorite facial oil or moisturizer. You can add a bit of your favorite serum for an extra boost.
How do you know if niacinamide is not for you? You might find that niacinamide isn't for you if you experience side effects like redness, itching, or irritation after using it. Some people may also have an allergic reaction, resulting in hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Now, most people can tolerate niacinamide well even at 10% twice daily. But if you have a mysterious skin rash or unexplained irritation, it could be time to take a closer look at your niacinamide levels.
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.