How To Use Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid Together?
We all know how effective niacinamide and salicylic acid are at targeting various skin concerns, but when it comes to using them together it can often feel a little daunting. Trying to find a potent duo of skin ingredients that work together without causing any irritation or reaction. So with that in mind, let’s dive right in and find out more about how to use niacinamide and salicylic acid together.
But before we get stuck in, we’ll quickly refresh your memories of what these ingredients are and how they work on the skin.
What is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is one of the most used BHA in various skincare formulations and is naturally derived from willow bark but can be synthetically produced. With its ability to penetrate through the lipid layers of the skin whilst exfoliating the outer surface of dirt, bacteria, and impurity build-up. With salicylic acid gaining a reputation for being oil soluble resulting in it being a great ingredient for those with oily and blemish-prone skin.
What is Niacinamide?
A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide acts in a similar way as the popular hyaluronic acid with its humectant properties. It is able to draw water in from surrounding the face and lock it into the skin giving it a plumped, supple and youthful bounce. It also carries a unique benefit by being able to regulate the skin’s natural production of sebum.
Can we use niacinamide and salicylic acid together?
You certainly can! In fact, it has been considered that teaming both ingredients together make a potent duo for those combating frequent breakouts. Whilst the salicylic acid works at removing impurities and congestion in the pores, niacinamide can balance the oil on the surface of the skin as well as regulating the production of sebum (the natural oil found in the skin) and help to strengthen the skin barrier by boosting hydration ensuring the skin is able to protect itself from exposure to free radical damage.
It isn’t just those prone to blemishes that will reap the rewards from teaming these ingredients together. Since salicylic acid is a BHA and can work further down into the pores thanks to the fact it is oil soluble. This is a great way of deeply cleansing the skin if you have been given the go ahead by your dermatologist as it is one of the few ingredients able to penetrate the deeper layers of the skin easily. By teaming it with niacinamide that not only works as a humectant helping give the skin a much-needed help in boosting hydration, but can help the barrier to remain supple, smooth and improve its resilience.
Should I use niacinamide or salicylic acid first?
When it comes to which should be applied first, niacinamide or salicylic acid, it is thought that firstly applying niacinamide serum will result in the skin barrier is fully functioning with signs of damage repaired enabling the skin to absorb salicylic acid quickly and able to get to work targeting any signs of blemishes with the peace of mind you can avoid skin irritation thanks to the humectant traits keeping the skin fully moisturised.
How do you use salicylic acid and niacinamide?
When it comes to using these ingredients together, you’ll find that they are often formulated into skincare products that are applied in the later stage of your routine, such as serums and moisturisers. This will benefit your skin further as this will result in both ingredients remaining on the skin for a longer time meaning this multi-tasking powerhouse will be able to work its magic.
This also means you must consider the consistency of the products containing the ingredients as this will determine when you should apply them in your routine. The general rule is to apply your products from thinnest to thickest, so face cleansers, toners, serums, face oil, moisturiser and finally SPF.
Which is better niacinamide or salicylic acid?
It may feel a little confusing considering each ingredient can provide similar benefits for the skin, but overall deliver their own unique qualities, the most important difference is their mechanism of action. By this I mean how they can work on the different layers of the skin, and although salicylic acid is unable to aid hydration, but it is able to remove the barrier of dead skin cells on the surface that can often prevent your moisturiser or serums penetrate and reach the areas of concern. What it all boils down to is that not one ingredient is better than the other, but in fact provide the most effective skin results when teamed together.
Can niacinamide be used with AHA BHA?
Absolutely, when introducing an AHA or BHA into your routine you must remain vigilant when using any form of chemical exfoliant due to the increase in skin dryness. Of course, there are some AHAs and BHAs that cause more problems than others, the most potent being glycolic acid and salicylic acid. It is always best to perform a patch test for 24 hours before applying the product all over the skin to avoid any unwanted allergic reaction. You must also follow the instruction of use found on the packaging as using AHAs and BHAs incorrectly will lead to flaking, dryness, redness, and discomfort for the skin.
This is when niacinamide can step in to ensure the skin remains hydrated and comfortable. With the humectant traits I have already discussed, the skin barrier will not only remain plumped and looking healthy, but it will also be able to function to its full compacity, repairing any damage caused to the skin and prevent any further exposure to harmful free radical damage, such as UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors.
Can I use niacinamide every day?
You can not only use niacinamide once a day, but you can use it twice a day! Because of its multi-tasking talents and the fact, it is safe for every skin type to use, applying niacinamide twice a day will give you the most hydrated, healthy, and happy complexion. You’ll also find that with the skin containing the correct levels of water any products you apply after will absorb more effectively and show skin results a lot quicker.
Can I use salicylic acid every day?
This is very much dependant on your skin type as salicylic acid does tend to cause skin dryness. If, however, you have introduced this BHA the correct way into your routine and have built your skin’s tolerance then using salicylic acid every day shouldn’t result in any problems.
So now you should have a better understanding of how to use niacinamide and salicylic acid together, don’t forget if you want to know more about using both powerhouses in your daily routine you can check out our dedicated blog post.
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
