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should know that there is one ingredient whose effects with Niacinamide aren’t always completely clear: Vitamin C. Many outdated reports recommend using both Vitamin C and Niacinamide at the same time.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.
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