Can Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide be used together?
When it comes to ingredients in skincare, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are two of the best for your skin. But the question is, can these powerhouses be used together? That’s exactly what we want to answer today, so let’s dive in and find out more.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that provides impressive hydration benefits to the skin. It does this through its hydrating properties, ensuring that the water present around the skin and in product formulas is locked into the skin, keeping it fully hydrated and plump. Another unique function of Niacinamide is its ability to regulate sebum production, which makes it a great ingredient for those skin types prone to blemishes.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient that provides impressive hydration benefits to the skin. By ensuring that the skin is fully hydrated, strengthening the skin’s protective barrier and being able to defend against free radical damage such as UV rays, pollution and environmental impacts, you’ll also notice reduced signs of dehydration and a complexion that looks radiant, vibrant and revitalized. Wrinkle-free.
Now that you’ve had a refresher course on each ingredient, let’s take a closer look at how to use them together in your daily routine.
Can Hyaluronic Acid be used with Niacinamide?
Yes, you can! Both hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can be used together. Both are water-based ingredients that are highly effective for keeping the skin plump and hydrated. When these ingredients are used together, hyaluronic acid is used first to rejuvenate the skin and lock in moisture. Niacinamide also ensures that sebum production is regulated. For more information on using hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together, see our dedicated blog post.
What Not to Mix with Hyaluronic Acid?
Not surprisingly, there are few ingredients that can’t be mixed with hyaluronic acid. This is because it’s suitable for all skin types and can be combined with other ingredients, including those that are known to be highly effective, such as retinol, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid. In fact, you’ll find that these ingredients benefit from hyaluronic acid and can reduce potential skin dryness and irritation caused by hyaluronic acid’s exfoliating properties.
Should Niacinamide be used before or after hyaluronic acid?
As I mentioned before, when using hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together, it’s best to use hyaluronic acid first to improve hydration, and then use niacinamide to regulate sebum production. Alternatively, you can use a hyaluronic acid-rich serum in your morning routine to strengthen the skin barrier and ensure it’s functioning properly. Then, you can use niacinamide in your evening routine to regenerate and repair the skin. At the same time, it fights skin damage caused by free radicals such as pollution and UVB/UVA rays.
Which is better, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide?
These two powerful ingredients are very effective for improving the overall look and feel of your skin. Considering your skin type can help you decide which is better, as niacinamide has the unique ability to regulate the oil levels in your skin, making it a helpful ingredient if you’re prone to oiliness and frequent breakouts. As I mentioned before, the beauty of hyaluronic acid is that it works with all skincare products and skin types. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from using both ingredients together to lock in moisture for a brighter, plumper, and smoother-looking complexion.
Can I use niacinamide every day?
You actually can. In fact, most people tolerate it well and usually use it twice a day. You’ll find that you really benefit from its moisturizing benefits during the winter months, helping you better withstand the harsh climate and central heating. If you use niacinamide twice a day, you’ll also notice that by using more potent ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid, you can combat the common drying effects and keep your skin radiant, healthy, and plump.
Can I use hyaluronic acid every day?
Absolutely! Just like niacinamide, you can use it twice a day. If you want to get the most out of products infused with hyaluronic acid, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. To get the most out of hyaluronic acid products, it’s best to use them in the correct order, starting with the thinnest consistency and working your way up to the thickest. Therefore, you should apply hyaluronic acid before applying moisturizer and sunscreen, as these formulas are so thick that they often form a physical barrier on the surface of the skin. For best results, apply hyaluronic acid to clean, damp skin so that the moisturizing properties of hyaluronic acid can lock moisture into the skin’s protective barrier.
Is niacinamide or hyaluronic acid good for acne?
While both of these powerful ingredients are effective and beneficial for acne-prone skin, I would recommend Niacinamide if you can convince me. Niacinamide’s unique benefit is that it regulates the skin’s sebum production. This keeps the skin balanced, helping to fight and reduce the signs of frequent breakouts.
However, this doesn’t mean that Hyaluronic Acid is any less effective for acne-prone or blemish-prone skin. People with oily or blemish-prone skin often use ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol, which are all effective but leave the skin feeling dry. In this case, the moisturizing properties of Hyaluronic Acid can counteract this effect, keeping the complexion plump, moisturized, and healthy-looking while the other ingredients target breakouts and blemishes.
I hope I was able to answer some of your questions about using Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid together. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more information!
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.