The misconception that you shouldn't use niacinamide and vitamin C together originates from outdated studies conducted in the 1960s. These early studies suggested that combining these ingredients could render them ineffective or cause skin irritation due to the instability of vitamin C in certain formulations.
The ordinary doesn't recommend using their vit c and niacinamide together because they have different ph levels. Using both together will change the ph of the other making them less effective.
When it comes to layering vitamin C and niacinamide the best way of gaining optimal results is to wait for about 15 minutes in between applications. If you find this to be too long and time is a little more pressing, there are a few skincare products that contain both ingredients in the formulations.
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.
The ordinary doesn't recommend using their vit c and niacinamide together because they have different ph levels. Using both together will change the ph of the other making them less effective.
If you're applying them together, you should apply Vitamin C first, followed by hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. Don't use it with AHAs, BHAs, and retinol at once. You can use it in low concentrations of AHA and BHA in your routine on alternate nights – Vitamin C one night and retinol the other.
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.
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.
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.
Beta Hydroxy Acids
So that salicylic acid of yours should not be mixed with your vitamin C serum. It won't be able to help you with discoloration, collagen production, or protect you from UV rays. Additionally, combining the two can cause irritation and dryness.
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.
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.
Apply a moisturizer at the end
Apply it to your skin after the face serum you used, along with the niacinamide. You should apply the moisturizer last because they take the longest to absorb into the skin compared to active serums & they lock in all the products used before it.
How long to wait between vitamin C and niacinamide application differs for everyone but it's important to give your skin time to fully absorb each formula, so 1-2 minutes is usually ideal.
Don't use vitamin C: Niacinamide and vitamin C can cause skin irritation and discoloration when used together, so it's best to use them at different times of the day. Don't overuse: While niacinamide is generally well-tolerated, overusing it can cause redness and irritation, especially in people with sensitive skin.
You might be experiencing breakouts if your skin is too sensitive to niacinamide or if you are using it in combination with other irritating products. These breakouts could be new pimples, redness, and inflammation in areas where you do not normally get acne.
Niacinamide might not reach its full effectiveness when mixed with AHAs or BHAs. Moreover, this combination could be overwhelming for your skin, leading to adverse effects such as skin peeling, redness, and itchiness.
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.
As we've established, these two ingredients don't cancel one another out! Besides, given that vitamin C is the primary antioxidant in skin, waiting between applications of these ingredients just doesn't make sense.
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.
Not only should you feel free to combine these two super ingredients, we wholeheartedly encourage it. While there are sometimes tradeoffs in life, luckily this skincare combination isn't one of those times. Layering niacinamide and vitamin C actually enhances the benefits of both these antioxidants.
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.
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.