Can I Use Niacinamide Twice a Day?
Niacinamide is a favorite among dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts. It’s a skincare ingredient with an impressive list of benefits and one of the few that delivers results with minimal side effects.
So, what exactly is this ingredient that our skin loves so much? The question is, can you have too much of a good thing, or can you use niacinamide twice a day? Stay tuned to learn more about this ingenious ingredient and the changes you can expect to see in your complexion.
If you’re still a little confused about what niacinamide is, here’s a quick summary of what this ingredient can do for your skin.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and a water-soluble ingredient found in many different skincare products.
It’s packed with antioxidants that can strengthen the skin barrier and protect it from free radical damage.
Improves the overall look and texture of your complexion
Fights fine lines and wrinkles by preventing moisture loss from the skin
Acts as a humectant, i.e. locks in moisture on the skin’s upper surface, keeping your complexion plump and youthful
Regulates sebum production and minimizes the appearance of pores
Suitable for all skin types to incorporate into your daily skin care routine
Can be combined with a number of different skin care ingredients and formulations
If you want to learn more about Niacinamide, you can read our dedicated blog post on The Beauty Insiders.
Can I use Niacinamide every day?
Of course, you can even use Niacinamide twice a day. This is because the ingredient is gentle and stable enough to work effectively on the skin as part of a daily routine with different active ingredients. Niacinamide is one of the few ingredients that can be combined with the most powerful ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol. This is because it does not exfoliate the skin or speed up skin cell turnover, unlike the other powerful ingredients mentioned.
Niacinamide is a top choice for many people in their morning and nighttime routines due to its antioxidant, moisturizing properties and ability to regulate oil production in the skin. The benefit of using it in the morning is that it strengthens the skin barrier and protects against damage caused by free radicals, such as UV radiation, pollution, and environmental aggressors. When used at night, it repairs existing or new skin damage, leaving your complexion rejuvenated while you sleep.
How do Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid work together?
There are some effective ways to combine these powerful forces. In our experience, here is an example that produces the best results.
Both ingredients work well in water-based products and are often included in serum formulas. When it comes to your skincare routine, it can often be confusing to decide what to use first. First, apply hyaluronic acid and give your moisturizer plenty of time to settle into the skin, as it can bind more water to the skin than niacinamide. Then apply niacinamide, which absorbs quickly thanks to the hyaluronic acid layer. Niacinamide regulates oil secretion and hydrates your complexion, giving it a youthful tone.
You don’t have to worry about overloading your skin, because while each ingredient has similar effects, they each have their own unique properties that work on different areas of the skin.
Can I use Niacinamide with Retinol?
Yes, you can! When you use niacinamide, you’ll find that the common drying side effects of retinol aren’t as severe. Make sure you leave plenty of time between applications, waiting about 10 minutes for the skin to calm down and rebalance.
The different pH levels of various ingredients can affect their effectiveness on the skin. What I mean by this is that effective skin ingredients, such as retinol, have a pH of around 4 to 6, which makes them acidic. This corresponds to the natural pH of the skin, because believe it or not, even healthy skin is acidic. Niacinamide has a pH of 6, which is less acidic, but not completely neutral. This small change can make a big difference in how your product performs and how your skin reacts. If you’re having trouble with your skin care routine, I recommend consulting a dermatologist or trained professional. You can also try patch testing any new formulas you’re using on your daily routine. Simply apply a 10p-sized amount of the product to the inside of your arm and leave it on for 24 hours. If you don’t notice any signs of irritation, you can take that as a good sign and apply the product to your face.
How often should I use niacinamide?
You can use Niacinamide daily, up to twice a day. Many users choose to use a serum rich in hydrating ingredients as part of their morning routine. This allows the skin to retain moisture and keep the skin barrier at its healthiest throughout the day. By reapplying Niacinamide at night, you will help the skin repair and replenish moisture throughout the night without interruption, leaving you with deeply nourished and happy skin in the morning.
When should Niacinamide be used routinely?
Niacinamide is a skincare ingredient that can be found in a variety of skincare products. Personally, I prefer to use a serum with active ingredients because serums tend to stay on the face longer. For example, cleansers and face washes are rinsed off, limiting the time the ingredients have to work on the surface of the skin. You will also find that using a serum rich in Niacinamide will support its hydrating properties, locking moisture and hydration into the skin.
I hope that I answered your question today about whether it is okay to use Niacinamide twice a day. If you have any additional questions, don’t forget to find us on Instagram. One of our skincare experts will be waiting for you in a private message and look forward to seeing you!
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.