Can Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid be Used Together?
When it comes to layering certain ingredients, you’ll often find that certain ingredients work together to make skin look and feel as healthy as possible. Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid are two powerful ingredients that work effectively on the skin, targeting different areas of the skin. However, the question that arises is: how can Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid be used together?
Before we dive in, let’s briefly remind ourselves what these ingredients are and what benefits they have for the skin.
What is Azelaic Acid?
It is derived from barley, wheat, and rye and is naturally found in yeast in the skin.
Azelaic acid, often mistakenly considered a member of the alpha-hydroxy acid or beta-hydroxy acid family, exfoliates the outer layer of the skin.
Fights the accumulation of dead skin cells, dirt, debris, and other environmental influences that can clog pores and cause blackheads and other skin imperfections.
Azelaic acid is rich in antimicrobial properties and can effectively fight the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes.
Helps reduce inflammation, i.e. it fights rosacea and other skin inflammations, including acne and other breakouts.
Targets areas of hyperpigmentation and dark spots for an overall improved, more radiant complexion.
Azelaic acid is rich in antioxidants that fight damage caused by the action of free radicals, such as: B. environmental pollution, UV radiation and central heating, that occurs on the skin.
Azelaic acid concentrations typically vary between 15% and 20%, with lower percentages found in over-the-counter formulas.
If you would like to learn more about azelaic acid, read our dedicated blog post.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can be sourced naturally from things like brewer’s yeast and grains.
Helps stimulate collagen production for plumper, more youthful-looking skin and reduced signs of fine lines and wrinkles.
Targets signs of hyperpigmentation, sun damage and age spots. It does this by blocking melanosome transfer, which inhibits the formation of further hyperpigmentation on the skin’s surface.
Regulates and balances sebum production, making it an effective ingredient for those prone to acne and breakouts.
Rich in antioxidants, it protects the skin from oxidative stress on the face.
Contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness, blotchiness, and uneven texture on the skin’s surface.
Increases cell turnover rates, ensuring a more even, radiant complexion.
Read our blog post to learn more about Niacinamide.
How to Use Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid Together?
The easiest way to determine how to use Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid together is to consider the ingredients’ formula. What I mean by this is that you need to be mindful of the order in which you use your skincare products for the best results. It’s generally considered best to start with the dilute concentration and work your way up to the thickest.
You’ll often find Azelaic Acid mixed into products like toners and serums. Niacinamide is usually found mostly in serums, where it provides extra hydration to the skin, especially after using an exfoliating toner like Azelaic Acid.
Can Azelaic Acid be mixed with Niacinamide?
Yes, you can! Supposedly, mixing Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid is an easy way to help the skin and counteract any possible dryness caused by a chemical peel.
Due to the effectiveness of the combination of both ingredients, there are few side effects when stacking these active ingredients. However, everyone’s skin is different, and you should keep this in mind if your skin is irritated. Therefore, I recommend that you always consult your doctor or dermatologist to find the formula that best suits you and your skin’s needs.
Should I use azelaic acid or niacinamide first?
This depends on the consistency of the formula in which the ingredients are mixed. You will find azelaic acid often found in products such as exfoliating toners or cleansers. These are applied to the skin at the beginning of your skincare routine. A serum rich in niacinamide can then be used, which draws moisture from around the face into the skin and holds it there due to its moisturizing properties.
The skin’s lipid barrier needs moisture to stay strengthened and protect the skin from free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, central heating and other environmental influences.
What not to mix with niacinamide?
There are several outdated studies that suggest that niacinamide should be avoided in combination with vitamin C. As I mentioned, this is the result of outdated research that explains that vitamin C is too unstable as a skin ingredient. Niacinamide and Vitamin C, both of which contain a lot of antioxidants, are also thought to counteract each other, rendering these powerful energy sources useless.
Despite this, the beauty industry has made incredible progress, and new formulas containing stabilized versions of Vitamin C are constantly emerging. You will also find some brands and their formulas that contain a powerful blend of Niacinamide and Vitamin C.
When should you use Azelaic Acid on a regular basis?
Once you have built up a tolerance to Azelaic Acid, you can use Azelaic Acid twice a day in your daily routine. Depending on the formula containing Azelaic Acid will determine when you should use it in your daily routine. As I mentioned, the thicker the consistency, the later you should use it in your daily routine. The reason for this is that you want to avoid forming a physical barrier on the skin that prevents other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Fortunately for many of us, Azelaic Acid is suitable for all skin types and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. If you are concerned, though, you can do a 24-hour patch test on your skin before applying the solution to your entire face. This way you can avoid unwanted side effects and find the product that works best for your daily routine.
That’s it. I hope I’ve answered all of your questions about using niacinamide and azelaic acid together. If you have any additional questions, feel free to visit me 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.
