When it comes to combining skincare ingredients, some work harmoniously to enhance your skin’s health, while others may cause irritation if layered incorrectly. Niacinamide and azelaic acid are two potent ingredients that target different skin concerns but are often used together for maximum benefit. But the question remains: can niacinamide and azelaic acid be applied simultaneously?
Before we delve into how these ingredients work together, let’s review their individual benefits and properties.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in grains like barley, wheat, and rye, as well as in the yeast on the skin’s surface. Despite some confusion, it is not a member of the alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) families but is known for its gentle exfoliating effects on the skin.
Exfoliation: Azelaic acid helps remove dead skin cells and debris, clearing clogged pores and preventing blemishes like blackheads.
Antibacterial: It’s highly effective against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), the bacteria responsible for acne breakouts.
Anti-Inflammatory: Azelaic acid reduces inflammation, making it an ideal treatment for conditions like rosacea, acne, and other inflamed skin concerns.
Hyperpigmentation: It helps lighten dark spots and uneven skin tone, leading to a brighter, more even complexion.
Antioxidants: Packed with antioxidants, azelaic acid shields the skin from oxidative stress caused by environmental factors like pollution and UV exposure.
Typically, azelaic acid concentrations range from 15% to 20%, with lower strengths found in over-the-counter products. To learn more about azelaic acid, be sure to check out our full blog post.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B3 that can be sourced from foods like brewer’s yeast, fish, and grains. It’s an incredibly versatile ingredient with a broad range of benefits.
Collagen Production: Niacinamide stimulates collagen synthesis, helping the skin appear plumper and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyperpigmentation: Niacinamide reduces the transfer of melanin to skin cells, which helps prevent new dark spots from forming and lightens existing ones.
Oil Control: It regulates sebum production, making it especially beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Antioxidant Protection: Niacinamide offers strong antioxidant protection, shielding the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Anti-Inflammatory: It calms redness, irritation, and uneven skin tone, improving overall texture and clarity.
Improved Skin Tone: It accelerates cell turnover, promoting a more even, radiant complexion.
For more detailed information on niacinamide, check out our dedicated blog post.
How Can You Use Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid Together?
To get the best results from niacinamide and azelaic acid, it’s important to understand how they should be applied within your routine. The order of application plays a key role in maximizing their effectiveness.
Application Order: Generally, it’s best to apply skincare products with lighter consistency first, working your way up to thicker formulations. Since azelaic acid is often found in toners or serums, it’s usually applied earlier in the routine. Niacinamide, typically found in serums, is often used afterward as it helps to lock in hydration, particularly after using an exfoliating toner like azelaic acid.
Can Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid Be Mixed?
Yes, niacinamide and azelaic acid can be used together without issue. In fact, combining them can be beneficial as niacinamide helps counteract any dryness or irritation that may arise from the exfoliating effects of azelaic acid.
No Major Side Effects: For most people, layering these two ingredients should pose little risk of irritation. However, as everyone’s skin is different, it’s always a good idea to consult a dermatologist if you have concerns. A patch test is also recommended to ensure your skin reacts well to both ingredients.
Which Should You Apply First: Azelaic Acid or Niacinamide?
The order of application depends on the texture of the products. Azelaic acid is often formulated into lighter toners or cleansers, which should be applied early in your routine. Niacinamide, found in serums, has a thicker consistency and should be used afterward.
Niacinamide is a humectant, meaning it attracts moisture from the surrounding environment, helping to hydrate the skin and lock in the benefits of the products applied before it. This is particularly helpful after using exfoliating products like azelaic acid.
What Should You Avoid Mixing with Niacinamide?
There is an old myth suggesting that niacinamide should not be used with vitamin C due to the belief that these two antioxidants could neutralize each other. However, recent advancements in skincare formulations have proven this concern to be outdated. Today, many products contain stable forms of vitamin C and niacinamide together, offering a potent combination for brighter, more even skin.
When Should Azelaic Acid Be Used in Your Routine?
Azelaic acid is generally safe to use twice a day once your skin has built up a tolerance. When incorporating it into your routine, consider its formulation. Lighter products like toners should be applied early, while thicker creams or treatments should be applied later.
Since azelaic acid is gentle and suitable for all skin types, it’s easy to add to your routine. If you have sensitive skin or are new to azelaic acid, a patch test is always a good idea to ensure there are no adverse reactions.
Final Thoughts
Niacinamide and azelaic acid can definitely be used together in your skincare routine. These two ingredients complement each other well, offering a range of benefits from reducing acne and inflammation to brightening dark spots and improving overall skin texture. Just be mindful of the order in which you apply them, and always listen to your skin. If you’re unsure or experience irritation, it’s a good idea to consult a skincare professional to find the best routine for your individual needs.
If you have more questions about using niacinamide and azelaic acid, feel free to reach out 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.
