Can I Use Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, and Retinol?
If you’re feeling a little exhausted just reading the title of today’s blog post, I can’t blame you. But believe it or not, this question has popped up in our inboxes, so today we plan to dive into the feet first and dive into this question: Can I Use Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, and… Retinol?
If you’re wondering what exactly these ingredients do for your skin, we have a dedicated blog post in our Skin School, so check out the post below for more information.
What is Niacinamide?
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
What is Vitamin C?
What is Retinol?
How do I use Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, and Retinol?
Effectively layering skincare ingredients can create your healthiest, happiest skin, but if you’re not careful, you can overload your skin’s surface with too much of the good stuff. The following example shows how to use all four ingredients in your daily routine without the risk of a reaction or irritation.
Morning Routine
Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid
Evening Routine
Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide + Retinol
Due to the effectiveness of Vitamin C and Retinol, it is best not to use them at the same time, but rather use Vitamin C in the morning and Retinol in the evening. Both Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid are extremely moisturizing and can be used twice a day. However, always make sure to wait about 15 minutes between using Niacinamide and Vitamin C to avoid unnecessary irritation.
Can Niacinamide be used with Retinol and Vitamin C?
You can actually use all three ingredients together, but the order in which you use them plays an important role in preventing skin irritation. For best results, I recommend using a Vitamin C-rich serum as part of your morning routine.
The powerful antioxidants in Vitamin C ensure that the skin is fully protected from free radicals from daily exposure to pollution and UV rays. Use Retinol only in your evening routine so that it can boost collagen production, reduce signs of aging, and improve overall skin tone. Retinol is very sensitive and loses its effectiveness when exposed to UV rays. Therefore, it’s best to use it in your evening skincare routine.
As for niacinamide, it’s generally considered beneficial to use this moisturizer twice daily in both skincare routines. A word of caution: While modern formulas ensure that vitamin C and niacinamide remain stable enough to work together, there is still a small chance of skin flushing and redness. If you have any concerns, it’s best to consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new ingredients or formulas.
Can I use hyaluronic acid with niacinamide and retinol?
Yes! Both hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are water-soluble ingredients that provide intense hydration to the surface of the skin. Although they offer similar benefits, they’re more effective when combined. Start with hyaluronic acid, which draws moisture into the skin to create a plump, hydrated barrier. Then use niacinamide to regulate sebum production and restore balance. You can use this twice daily to keep your skin at its healthiest. This means that any retinol formula you use at night will be quickly absorbed and show fast results. If you want to learn more about layering hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinol, check out our blog post.
Can retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid be used together?
You can actually use retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid at the same time. We have a detailed blog post on this topic, so be sure to read it.
If you want a quick guide on how to use these ingredients, read below to learn how to best use this skin-rejuvenating trio.
Morning skin care routine
Face cleanser/cleanser
Exfoliating toner
Vitamin C serum
Hyaluronic acid serum
Moisturizer
SPF 30 and above
Evening skin care routine
Makeup remover
Face cleanser/cleanser
Exfoliating toner
Hyaluronic acid serum
Retinol
Nighttime moisturizer
By alternating between vitamin C and retinol, you can avoid potential side effects such as dryness, irritation, and discomfort. The combination of these two effective skincare products with hyaluronic acid also preserves the skin barrier health, keeping the skin hydrated and full of youthful elasticity.
Should I use niacinamide or vitamin C first?
This may be difficult, but if possible, be aware of the numerous articles that claim that the combination of niacinamide and vitamin C spells disaster and causes a chemical reaction called niacin. These articles often contain outdated research that no longer applies to the various forms of ascorbic acid (also known as vitamin C) used in modern formulas and products.
Since niacinamide is a highly stable ingredient in skincare, you can be confident that it will perform its famous moisturizing benefits. While the newer forms of vitamin C may be stable, there is still a small chance that your skin may experience redness and flushing, especially if you have a sensitive skin type.
With this in mind, using niacinamide will first balance and moisturize the skin, allowing other ingredients to penetrate deeper into the subdermal layer. Wait about 15 minutes between each application to ensure that your skin is sufficiently hydrated to effectively absorb the vitamin C. Vitamin C has skin-brightening properties and is the best ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation. The deeper it penetrates the skin, the more effective it is at reducing dark spots and areas of uneven skin tone.
Which came first, retinol or hyaluronic acid?
Retinol is considered one of the most effective ingredients for the skin. Scaly, itchy, and dry skin are common side effects when you first introduce retinol into your routine. While these are unavoidable, they can be significantly reduced with the help of hyaluronic acid.
Deciding which ingredient to apply first depends on the product those ingredients are formulated in. A basic skin rule is to remember the order in which you apply your products, starting with the thinnest consistency and ending with the thickest. This comes down to personal preference for the products you use. Your skin will love the benefits of the combination of retinol and hyaluronic acid.
That’s more about using niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol together. If you have any questions, follow me on Instagram!
