In the skincare world, the combination of active ingredients often sparks questions. One common query is whether you can use niacinamide and vitamin C together. Both are potent ingredients with their various benefits. Given their strengths, you might wonder if combining them is beneficial or harmful.
You're probably seeking clarity because you've heard mixed advice, with some suggesting these ingredients shouldn’t be mixed due to potential irritation or reduced effectiveness.
In this article, we'll explore if niacinamide and vitamin C can be used together safely, dispel myths, and offer guidance on incorporating them into your routine for maximum benefits.
- Benefits of Niacinamide for Skin
- Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin
- Can I Combine Niacinamide and Vitamin C together?
- How to Layer Vitamin C and Niacinamide
- Vitamin C and Niacinamide products to try in your routine
- Vitamin C and Retinol FAQs
Benefits of Niacinamide for Skin
Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, offers a wide range of benefits that make it an essential addition to any skincare routine. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide helps to reduce redness and irritation, making it a good option for sensitive and blemish-prone skin (1). It also strengthens the skin barrier, which helps to retain moisture and protect against environmental stressors (2). Niacinamide is effective in minimizing the appearance of pores, smoothing fine lines, and improving overall skin tone and texture (3). Incorporating niacinamide into your daily regimen can lead to a healthier, more balanced complexion.
Benefits of Vitamin C for Skin
Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient renowned for its numerous benefits, making it a valuable addition to any skincare routine. As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C helps protect the skin from harmful free radicals caused by UV exposure and pollution (4). It is highly effective in brightening the complexion, reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and evening out skin tone (5). Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production (6), which helps to smooth fine lines, keep skin firm, and improve skin texture.
Can I Combine Niacinamide and Vitamin C together?
Yes, you can mix niacinamide and vitamin C together in your skincare routine, and doing so can offer significant benefits. However, it’s essential to understand how to use them properly to avoid irritation and maximize their effectiveness.
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. However, modern skincare science has advanced significantly since then. Recent studies have shown that when formulated correctly, both ingredients can coexist stably and effectively, enhancing each other's benefits (7).
Vitamin C and Niacinamide Benefits
Using vitamin C and niacinamide together offers powerful benefits for your skin:
Brightening and Even Skin Tone: Vitamin C reduces hyperpigmentation, while niacinamide evens out skin tone and minimizes dark spots.
Improved Texture and Firmness: Vitamin C boosts collagen for smoother skin, and niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier.
Reduced Inflammation: Niacinamide calms irritation, helping mitigate potential irritation from vitamin C.
Protection Against Damage: Vitamin C protects against free radicals and UV damage, while niacinamide adds an extra layer of defence.
Together, they address uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, dullness, and redness, benefiting most skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone, or aging skin.
How to Layer Vitamin C and Niacinamide
To get the most out of using both vitamin C and niacinamide in your skincare routine, it's important to layer them correctly. Here are the best options:
Morning and Evening Routine: Use vitamin C in the morning to protect your skin from free radicals and environmental damage throughout the day. Use niacinamide in the evening to calm and strengthen your skin.
Layering in the Same Routine: Start by applying vitamin C after cleansing your face. How long should you wait between vitamin C and niacinamide application? Waiting about 10-15 minutes is ideal to allow vitamin C to fully absorb. Follow with niacinamide to maximize its soothing and barrier-strengthening benefits.
Using a Single Product with Both Ingredients: If you prefer minimalistic approach to skin care, choose a skincare product that combines both vitamin C and niacinamide. These formulations are designed to ensure the stability and effectiveness of both ingredients, allowing you to reap the benefits without the need for separate applications.
By layering these ingredients correctly or using a combined product, you can ensure your skin reaps the full benefits of both, leading to a brighter, more even toned, and resilient complexion.
Vitamin C and Niacinamide products to try in your routine
Here are some of the top skincare products featuring Vitamin C and Niacinamide that you can incorporate into your routine. Developed with decades of expertise, these highly effective products are dermatologically tested and known to deliver visible results within just 14 days of use.
Olay Super Serum
Olay Super Serum delivers 5 benefits in one for your best skin in every drop: improved skin texture, a more even-looking skin tone, firmer-feeling skin, smoother visible lines, and long-lasting hydration. Uniquely formulated, it contains both vitamin C and niacinamide, along with collagen peptide, vitamin E, and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). These potent ingredients penetrate deep into your skin's surface and absorb quickly without a sticky or tacky feel.
Olay Vitamin C + SPF 30 Day Cream
Olay Vitamin C SPF30 moisturiser delivers instant and long-term results with vitamin C and 99% pure niacinamide. Enjoy 24-hour hydration and broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection in a lightweight, non-greasy formula. Experience healthier, glowing skin in just one day, and a more even tone and texture in 14 days. Dermatologist approved by the Skin Health Alliance for preventing sun-induced dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Olay Regenerist Niacinamide Night Cream
This ultra-luxe Olay Regenerist Niacinamide night cream combines 99% pure niacinamide, penetrating 10 layers deep to renew surface cells, with antioxidant vitamin E to combat free radical damage. Shea butter provides rich hydration for a smoother, rejuvenated look after just one night. In 14 nights, see improved firmness and elasticity.
Olay Vitamin B3 24 + Vitamin C Eye Cream
Brighten your under eyes with Olay Vitamin B3 24 + Vitamin C eye cream. This fragrance-free, silky formula instantly hydrates for 24 hours while visibly brightening and protecting against free radical damage. Specifically designed for the delicate eye area, it combines Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Peptides, to reveal your inner radiance.
Vitamin C and Retinol FAQs
Can you use Vitamin C with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid?
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.
What can you not mix with Niacinamide?
Avoid combining niacinamide with acidic treatments like AHAs and BHAs to prevent irritation.
What to avoid using with Vitamin C Serum?
Avoid using vitamin C serum with benzoyl peroxide, as it can oxidize the vitamin C, reducing its effectiveness. Also, avoid combining it with retinol or AHA/BHA acids in the same routine to prevent irritation.
When to use Niacinamide and Vitamin C?
Use vitamin C in the morning to protect against free radicals, and niacinamide either in the morning or evening to soothe and strengthen the skin.
What goes first, Vitamin C or Niacinamide?
Apply vitamin C first, followed by niacinamide.
References:
Bissett, D., Oblong, J., & Berge, C. (2006). Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatologic surgery: official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 31 7 Pt 2, 860-5; discussion 865. [https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1524-4725.2005.31732]
Draelos, Z., Ertel, K., & Berge, C. (2005). Niacinamide-containing facial moisturizer improves skin barrier and benefits subjects with rosacea. Cutis, 76 2, 135-41. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16209160]
Bissett, D., Miyamoto, K., Sun, P., Li, J., & Berge, C. (2004). Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin 1. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 26. [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00228.x]
Telang PS. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr;4(2):143-6. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.110593. PMID: 23741676; PMCID: PMC3673383. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673383/]
Saini, R., Badole, S., & Zanwar, A. (2013). Vitamin C ( l -Ascorbic Acid): Antioxidant Involved in Skin Care. , 61-66. [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-62703-167-7_6]
Nusgens, B., Humbert, P., Rougier, A., Colige, A., Haftek, M., Lambert, C., Richard, A., Creidi, P., & Lapière, C. (2001). Topically applied vitamin C enhances the mRNA level of collagens I and III, their processing enzymes and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 in the human dermis. The Journal of investigative dermatology, 116 6, 853-9. [https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)41256-4/fulltext]
Kim, H., Byun, K., Oh, S., Yang, J., Park, H., Chung, M., Son, K., & Byun, K. (2022). A Mixture of Topical Forms of Polydeoxyribonucleotide, Vitamin C, and Niacinamide Attenuated Skin Pigmentation and Increased Skin Elasticity by Modulating Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-like 2. Molecules, 27. [https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27041276]
ARTICLESYOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN
Can You Use Niacinamide with Retinol Together?
In the ever-evolving world of skincare, understanding the best way to combine active ingredients is essential. You've likely heard about the benefits of niacinamide and retinol—two powerhouse ingredients known for their ability to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and combat signs of ageing. But can you use niacinamide with retinol together? This common question arises from the desire to harness the benefits of both ingredients without causing irritation or diminishing their effects. In this article, we'll explore the science behind niacinamide and retinol, discuss their individual benefits, and explain how to safely use them together.
Can I Use Retinol and Vitamin C together?
Vitamin C and Retinol are celebrated by beauty experts and dermatologists as two of the most impactful ingredients for your skincare regimen. Each has great benefits on its own, but can you use them together? This article explores whether they should complement each other in your routine or if you're better off using them separately. We'll guide you on how to safely incorporate both into your skincare to target signs of ageing, brighten your complexion, and improve your skin texture, ensuring you get the most out of these powerful ingredients.
What causes dry and flaky skin around my face
Dry and flaky skin on your face is a common skin concern. It can be uncomfortable and wreak havoc with your confidence, so if you have dry skin and you want to do something about it, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover what causes dry skin and how it can be treated.
