Tretinoin and niacinamide are two powerful skincare ingredients that can yield remarkable results. Though their names may sound complex, they are actually quite common in many skincare products. Given their individual benefits, it’s no surprise that many people are curious about using both in their routines.
So, the question is: can niacinamide and tretinoin be used together? Let’s dive into this and explore how these two ingredients can work in harmony, and answer some common queries about their use.
Can I Use Niacinamide While Using Tretinoin?
Yes, absolutely! Many skincare enthusiasts have found that alternating the use of niacinamide and tretinoin is an effective way to enjoy the benefits of both without causing irritation. The key is to use them at different times of the day—niacinamide can be applied in your morning routine, while tretinoin is typically best used in the evening.
This method allows you to enjoy the benefits of both ingredients while minimizing potential side effects. Niacinamide works best when applied to slightly damp skin after cleansing, as it can help to lock in moisture and provide hydration.
Tretinoin, on the other hand, is a potent ingredient, especially known for its ability to reduce the visible signs of aging and tackle acne. However, it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, so it’s crucial to apply tretinoin in the evening and always follow up with a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher during the day. For more information about the benefits of tretinoin, check out our in-depth blog post.
If you’re hoping to find a single product that combines both niacinamide and tretinoin, this could be challenging. Tretinoin is typically only available through a prescription, so it’s unlikely to find a highly effective over-the-counter product that combines both ingredients. If you have concerns or questions about incorporating these ingredients into your routine, it’s always a good idea to consult with a dermatologist.
Can I Use Retinol and Niacinamide Together?
Yes, using retinol and niacinamide together is another great combination. Similar to tretinoin, retinol is a form of vitamin A that can help promote cell turnover and reduce the appearance of fine lines and acne. When pairing it with niacinamide, you can apply niacinamide first on slightly damp skin to help hydrate and plump the skin, which can reduce potential dryness caused by retinol.
This pairing helps to balance the drying effects of retinol, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin while minimizing irritation. By using niacinamide to soothe and hydrate, you can make the most of both ingredients without compromising your skin’s comfort.
Should I Apply Moisturizer Before or After Tretinoin?
Moisturizer should generally be applied after tretinoin. There is a popular skincare rule that suggests applying products from the thinnest to thickest consistency. This helps each product to be absorbed properly and ensures that none of the active ingredients are blocked by heavier formulations.
In this case, tretinoin is applied after cleansing, and moisturizer is the final step in your nighttime routine. This helps to lock in hydration, ensuring that your skin stays moisturized while tretinoin works its magic.
What Products Should Be Avoided When Using Tretinoin?
There are a few products and ingredients that you should avoid using alongside tretinoin, as they can cause irritation or diminish the effectiveness of both products:
Astringents/Toners: Tretinoin can cause dryness, so combining it with toners or astringents, which may contain alcohol or other drying ingredients, could exacerbate this effect. Over-drying the skin can lead to an increase in sebum production, which may trigger acne or other breakouts.
Chemical Exfoliants: Retinoids, including tretinoin, speed up the natural exfoliation process by promoting skin cell turnover. Adding AHAs (like glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid) could lead to excessive exfoliation, resulting in irritation, redness, or peeling.
Benzoyl Peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide is another acne-fighting ingredient, but when combined with tretinoin, it can be too harsh and cause excessive dryness or irritation. It can also neutralize the effects of tretinoin, reducing its effectiveness.
It’s always best to consult with a dermatologist if you’re unsure about the compatibility of certain ingredients with tretinoin.
Can I Use Tretinoin Every Night?
Technically, you can use tretinoin every night, but it’s usually recommended to start slowly to allow your skin to build up tolerance. Tretinoin is potent, and frequent use, especially at the beginning, can cause dryness, peeling, or irritation. A good strategy is to apply tretinoin every other night, or as directed on the product label, until your skin becomes accustomed to it.
This gradual approach helps you avoid the discomfort of over-drying or irritation while still getting the long-term benefits of tretinoin.
Does Niacinamide Cause Purging?
No, niacinamide is not known to cause purging. Purging typically occurs with ingredients that speed up skin cell turnover, like exfoliants or retinoids. Niacinamide, on the other hand, is a calming and hydrating ingredient that doesn’t accelerate exfoliation, so it won’t lead to the breakouts or purging that other actives might cause.
That being said, in rare cases, some individuals may have a sensitivity or reaction to niacinamide. If you experience any irritation or discomfort, it’s always a good idea to stop using the product and consult a dermatologist.
Does Tretinoin Contain Retinol?
Yes, tretinoin is essentially a stronger, more concentrated form of retinoic acid, a type of retinol. The main difference is that tretinoin is already in its active form and doesn’t require conversion by the skin, while retinol (a type of retinoid) must be converted into retinoic acid for the skin to use it. Both are effective for similar skin concerns, like acne and signs of aging, but tretinoin is typically found in prescription formulas, while retinol is available over-the-counter.
When introducing either of these ingredients into your routine, it’s crucial to start slowly and gradually build up your skin’s tolerance to avoid excessive dryness and irritation.
Final Thoughts
You can definitely use niacinamide and tretinoin together in your skincare routine, with careful consideration of the timing and application order. Niacinamide can help to hydrate and soothe the skin, which may offset some of the dryness or irritation from tretinoin. Always ensure you’re using a good sunscreen during the day, and don’t hesitate to consult with a dermatologist to tailor a routine that works best for your skin type and concerns.
If you still have questions about using niacinamide and tretinoin together, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram!
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.
