Can Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid be used together?
Skin care can be daunting and confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, not only will you feel like a mad scientist with all the lotions and potions you use, but you’ll also see results in your overall skin appearance. So, today’s goal is to clear up some information about these two powerful ingredients and find out if you can use both Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid together in your daily skin care routine.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a popular ingredient because it has a variety of benefits for every skin type and is able to address most skin concerns. Niacinamide has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is a great ingredient for treating issues like breakouts and rosacea because it helps lock in moisture and minimizes the appearance of pores. By moisturizing the skin, it helps restore the health of the protective barrier on the surface of the skin, which is often severely damaged. This damage is often caused by free radicals such as pollution and UV rays, which can cause many issues with the appearance of the skin and keep it healthy.
Key Benefits of Niacinamide for Skin Care
Binds moisture to the skin and retains it
Repairs damage to the protective barrier caused by free radicals
Helps calm and soothe inflammation and redness
Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that can make the skin appear older
Reduces the appearance of pores and keeps the skin smooth
Stimulates the skin’s immunity so it can protect itself
You have to admit that this is an impressive ingredient, and you’ll be happy to know that it can be used with many other ingredients and give your skin the ultimate benefit to achieve your skin goals. But before you rush to stock up on all your favorite products, you should know that there is one ingredient whose effects with Niacinamide aren’t always completely clear: Vitamin C. Many outdated reports recommend using both Vitamin C and Niacinamide at the same time. Because each ingredient has similar effects on the skin. You’ll find that this is no longer an issue, as many people benefit from using these two powerful ingredients together.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is another highly effective ingredient that has a range of different benefits for the skin. It occurs naturally in the body and can be obtained from wheat, grains, or synthetically. It contains a ton of properties, such as B. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gentle exfoliation. Azelaic acid varies in strength, up to 20% in some formulas, but these are usually used in treatments in professional settings, such as peels. As with all acids, your skin becomes more sensitive to light, which means you need to wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day to protect your skin from UV rays.
Key Benefits of Azelaic Acid for Skin Care
Gently exfoliates by removing dead skin cells and allowing it to penetrate deep into the pores
Has antimicrobial properties, which reduces any P. acnes present on the skin, fighting active spots and blemishes
Reduces skin pigmentation and dark spots, helping to even out skin tone
May help treat rosacea flare-ups on the skin
You might think that some of the benefits of azelaic acid are similar to those of niacinamide. I’ll tell you more about how to use these ingredients together, but if you want to learn more about niacinamide and azelaic acid, you can check out specific blog posts on our website.
How to Use Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide?
These two ingredients are often found in skin care products like serums, face oils, and creams. It’s best to consider the texture and consistency of these products when starting your routine. What I mean is this: for example, if you have a serum rich in azelaic acid and a cream rich in niacinamide, then ideally you should apply the serum first. This allows the product to be fully absorbed into the skin without having to fight the barrier created by the cream when first applied. Now let me share with you some important tips for using niacinamide and azelaic acid together.
Important Tips for Using Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide Together Alternate between serums rich in each ingredient in your daily routine. The serum works deeper into the skin, providing a very effective boost to the skin, and the ingredients contained in the product work over time, resulting in faster and more noticeable results. You can also mix it up a bit and apply niacinamide in the morning and azelaic acid in the evening. Thus, you can be sure that each ingredient has the right effect and ensures a noticeable effect on the skin. You can use both ingredients twice a day. This means that if you have tested them on your skin and did not notice any signs of irritation or sensitivity, then you are good to go. By using both daily, your skin has a chance to see results faster. Don’t forget to apply SPF sunscreen every day. As already mentioned, azelaic acid makes the skin more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, it’s important to protect them from UV damage. This means that niacinamide can also repair any damage that has already occurred, so you don’t have to focus on keeping your skin barrier healthy and functional. If your skin is showing signs of irritation, redness, and sensitivity, it’s best to stop using both ingredients. Your skin may be more sensitive to azelaic acid than niacinamide, but it’s always a good idea to start from scratch and understand the root of unwanted flare-ups. Hopefully, we’ve cleared up a few things today and made it easier for you to figure out how to incorporate these ingredients into your daily routine. As always, we strongly recommend that you consult your doctor or dermatologist before using any new skincare products on your skin, especially if you have dry, sensitive skin. We’d love to hear your thoughts and even take this opportunity to say hello, so follow us on our 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.
