Can I use Niacinamide with Tretinoin?
Tretinoin and niacinamide are two ingredients that deliver impressive skin results. Although their names may suggest they are unusual ingredients they are in fact quite common in various skincare formulas. It’s no wonder many of you are wanting to use the two of them together in your daily skincare routine.
Now, you may be sat there wondering can I use niacinamide with tretinoin? The aim of today’s blog post is to answer this and other questions we have heard about niacinamide and tretinoin.
Can I use niacinamide while using tretinoin?
Yes, you certainly can! When using both skincare superstars many find the best way of benefitting from each ingredient is too alternate applying them to the skin. You can opt for using niacinamide in your morning routine leaving tretinoin for the evening.
This is considered the best way of using each ingredient with minimal unwanted side effects. Apply niacinamide after cleansing the skin, preferably whilst it is still slightly damp to enable the humectant benefits to lock water into the skin surface.
Tretinoin is a highly potent ingredient and is remarkable at reducing signs of ageing as well as combating breakouts. As effective as it is, it’s known for causing the skin to become more photosensitive to UV exposure. Using it in the evening and ensuring you apply a daily SPF of 30 and above will help to counteract any long-lasting skin damage. If you are wanting to know more about tretinoin you can check out our dedicated blogpost about its skin benefits.
If you are looking for one product that contains both ingredients, this may be slightly tricky. This is because tretinoin is a prescriptive ingredient making it difficult to find an over-the-counter product containing both ingredients that will be as effective on the skin. Remember, if you have any concerns with skincare ingredients you should consult with a doctor or dermatologist.
Can I use retinol and niacinamide? Yes, using retinol and niacinamide together make an impressive skin duo. Ideally you should apply the niacinamide first to slightly damp skin. This will lock in extra moisture into the skin surface leaving it plumped and hydrated. You will also find that because the skin barrier contains the correct amount of water the retinol will absorb into the lower layers enabling it to get to work rapidly. By following niacinamide with retinol you will also find you are able to combat any potential dryness or irritation the potent form of vitamin A is known to cause. Do I put moisturiser on before or after tretinoin? Since moisturisers are applied towards the end of your skincare routine, you can expect to apply it after tretinoin. You may have heard about the skin rule that the order you apply your skincare products plays an important role at ensuring each formula can deliver results. The best order to apply your skincare products is by starting with the thinnest consistency and working your way towards the thickest. What products should I not use with tretinoin? There are a few products containing certain ingredients that should be avoided when using tretinoin. Here are the main three, Astringents/ Toners With tretinoin being a mixture of all-trans retinoic acids it has a habit of causing dryness to the skin. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using potent toner or astringent formulas as these will dry the skin out further. You’ll find that if your skin is stripped of all its sebum (the natural oil found on the skin) it will over produce sebum resulting in the skin suffering from flare-ups in acne and other breakouts. Chemical Exfoliants Many people confuse the effects of retinoids with the exfoliating benefits of chemical exfoliants known as AHAs/BHAs, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid. These exfoliants tend to work on the outer surface of the skin sloughing away dead skin cells. Retinoids on the other hand speed up the natural cycle of skin cells. All of this will become too much for the skin and result in inflammation, flaking, rashes, irritation, and general discomfort for the face. Benzoyl Peroxide With benzoyl peroxide being one of the most potent skincare ingredients you’ll find it delivers similar results as tretinoin. This is a recipe for disaster as the two ingredients layered together will be too harsh on the skin rendering both ingredients useless on the skin. Of course, there are a few more ingredients that need to have some careful consideration when using them with tretinoin. Always check with a medical professional before introducing anything to your daily skincare routine. Can I use tretinoin every night? Yes, technically you can use tretinoin every night, however with the varying potency of the formulas may become too harsh on the skin. Instead, why not opt for using your favourite tretinoin enriched product every other evening or as instructed on the label. Tretinoin can cause skin peeling and mild irritation, especially if you have recently introduced it, you’re your routine. This will ensure you’re reaping the rewards without drying out the skin. Does niacinamide cause purging? No, niacinamide is not known for causing purging to the skin. This is usually a side effect of other skin ingredients that either exfoliate the surface or increase the skin cell turnover. Seeing as niacinamide doesn’t perform like this on the skin you’ll find instead it leaves the skin feeling hydrated, comfortable, and glowing with health. Having said that, there are a few rare cases of people having negative reactions to niacinamide so always ensure you keep a close eye on how your face looks and feels when applying it. Does tretinoin have retinol in it? Yes, tretinoin and retinol are very similar skincare ingredients. The main difference is that tretinoin is a high concentrate of pure retinoic acid, whereas retinol is a form of retinoid that is converted into retinoic acid. Both ingredients deliver the same results and are both found in skincare formulations, tretinoin however is found in prescriptive products only. You will need to introduce both ingredients slowly and in the correct way into your everyday skincare routine to avoid severe dryness and other side effects. So, there you have the answers to some of the questions we have seen regarding niacinamide and tretinoin together. If you still have a question, come over to our Instagram page and give us a follow!
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.
