Can I use Vitamin C at night and Niacinamide in the morning?
If you are familiar with this part of the internet, you have already read our blog post on whether you can use these powerful ingredients together. There is no denying that both Niacinamide and Vitamin C are very effective and beneficial to incorporate into your skincare routine. Whether used alone or in combination, you can expect to achieve a radiant, smooth and healthy complexion. If you are still a little confused about how it works, we have a blog post on using Niacinamide and Vitamin C. Do check it out to clear all your doubts.
Before we dive into today’s topic, let’s quickly review how these ingredients work on the skin.
What Does Vitamin C Do for the Skin?
Many experts and dermatologists know and love it, and for good reason. Vitamin C not only brightens your complexion, you will also find that this powerful energy can protect your skin. This is possible because it is rich in antioxidants that work tirelessly to prevent damage caused by UV radiation, central heating, pollution and other environmental influences. Vitamin C also prevents the enzyme tyrosinase from causing skin pigmentation. Vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the complexion and reduce redness.
If you want to learn more about Vitamin C, you can read our dedicated blog post on Vitamin C and its skincare benefits.
What does Niacinamide do for the skin?
Niacinamide is a potent form of Vitamin B3 that repairs the skin. It has humectant properties that attract moisture to the face and hold it in place. This leaves the skin feeling hydrated, moisturized and healthy, while strengthening the skin’s protective barrier to ensure it is protected from free radical damage. Unlike hyaluronic acid, which is a humectant, Niacinamide regulates sebum production, making it a highly effective ingredient that benefits all skin types.
If you want to learn more about Niacinamide and its effects on the skin, we have a blog post for you here.
Can you use Vitamin C and Niacinamide together?
Yes, you can, but it’s best to use them correctly to avoid unnecessary skin irritation. This is because Niacinamide and Vitamin C are incompatible, as they both work similarly on the skin. When you layer these ingredients together, you might think you are enhancing their benefits, but you’ll find that each one renders the other useless. To get the results, many skin experts recommend waiting 15 minutes between applications. This allows enough time for the skin’s pH to reach equilibrium, thus avoiding negative effects. Another way to use them is to alternate the times of day you apply them to your skin. Many people like to use Vitamin C in the morning and then Niacinamide in the evening to counteract any skin damage that occurred throughout the day, thus benefiting from the effects of Vitamin C.
How long should you wait between using Niacinamide and Vitamin C?
As I mentioned before, it’s best to wait about 15 minutes between each application to avoid a rash. Since both Niacinamide and Vitamin C have similar skin benefits, you want to make sure they both have time to shine. Each ingredient also has a different pH, with Vitamin C having a lower, more acidic pH than Niacinamide, which is more neutral and closer to alkaline. Keep this in mind when using these ingredients together, as Niacinamide can prevent Vitamin C from doing its job on the skin.
There’s a blog post that answers more of your questions about how long you should wait between using Niacinamide and Vitamin C.
Which comes first, Vitamin C or Niacinamide?
This depends a lot on the formula in which each ingredient is mixed. You may have heard of the basic skincare rule of applying products in order from thinnest to thickest. Some skincare products, such as serums, often contain both vitamin C and niacinamide. If you want to use both serums in the same routine, apply the thinner serum first, wait 15 minutes, and then switch to the thicker serum. In my experience, the thicker of the two substances contains niacinamide, as the gel-like consistency supports the moisturizing properties of skin hydration.
When should niacinamide be applied, morning or evening?
This comes down to personal preference. In fact, there is nothing wrong with using niacinamide twice a day. You will find different benefits when using niacinamide in the morning and evening. Many people find that when applied in the morning, their skin benefits from continued hydration, keeping the skin fresher for longer. The skin barrier is at its healthiest and is able to protect itself from further skin damage. Others find that using niacinamide at night ensures that the powerful ingredients are able to repair and regenerate the skin without interference from the free radical effects of UV rays and pollution.
Can Vitamin C be used at night?
Of course, you can also use Vitamin C at night. Although this is associated with daytime use, many people find that using products rich in vitamin C as part of their evening routine can produce impressive results. You’ll find that your skin is repaired and rejuvenated, and all the damage from your daily routine is removed, while you get some beauty sleep.
Vitamin C vs Niacinamide: Which is Better for Dark Spots?
Both ingredients are very effective for fighting dark spots. Which one you use depends on your personal preference, or rather which one your skin prefers. You’ll often find that using a vitamin C formula can sometimes be too strong for some people’s skin. If this is the case, switch to niacinamide as a gentler alternative.
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