Can Niacinamide and Matrixyl be used together?
A new day, a new ingredient making waves in the skincare industry: Matrixyl is the new thing we all stand to benefit from. I can already hear the questions floating around in your head as you write this, but don’t worry, I’ll make everything clearer by the end of today’s blog post. Let’s start by explaining what Matrixyl is and how it works on the skin.
What is Matrixyl?
Matrixyl is the brand name for synthetically produced anti-aging peptides used in skincare products. You’ll find Matrixyl as a combination of Palmitoyl Tripeptide 1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide 7. Both of these peptides are building blocks of the skin, helping to form structure and boost collagen production. This is important for maintaining the health and appearance of your complexion. Starting in your twenties, collagen levels begin to decline by 1% per year.
Matrixyl works in a clever way, stimulating the growth of elastin, collagen, and natural hyaluronic acid in the body. By working on the skin, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making the complexion appear plumper, firmer, and more youthful.
Another great thing about Matrixyl is that anyone can use it. Your only concern might be making sure your skin is happy with the other ingredients it’s mixed with. One ingredient that won’t give you too much trouble is Niacinamide.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that offers results for almost all skin types, including sensitive skin. With its unique properties of attracting and binding moisture to the skin, it also regulates sebum production. This makes Niacinamide a very useful ingredient for those prone to acne as it hydrates and nourishes the skin, something that those who often break out miss out on due to overuse of harsh exfoliants and strong formulas.
If you want to know more about Niacinamide, you can read our dedicated blog post on Beauty Insiders.
Now that we’ve updated our knowledge on both active ingredients, let’s see if you can use Matrixyl and Niacinamide together.
What Not to Mix with Matrixyl?
While Matrixyl works well for the skin, there are also some precautions to keep in mind with other ingredients like Vitamin C (also known as L-ascorbic acid), BHAs like salicylic acid, and other acids like the popular AHA, glycolic acid.
It is believed that it is best to avoid using these ingredients together because if you mix them all together, it can lead to over-exfoliation. Since Matrixyl is considered safe enough for all skin types, it is important to remember that Matrixyl works on the skin in a similar way to retinol. By increasing skin cell turnover, the ingredient technically does not exfoliate, but then using an exfoliating formula on the skin can over-irritate the skin, throw the pH off balance, and cause rashes and redness.
Can Matrixyl and Hyaluronic Acid be used together?
Of course, you can use Matrixyl and Hyaluronic Acid together. Each active ingredient is very effective on its own, but they work even better when used in combination. Hyaluronic acid absorbs more than 1,500 times its weight in water and locks it in place while penetrating into the lower dermis. Combining it with Matrixyl boosts the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin, leaving your complexion hydrated. The combination of the two is particularly effective in the winter months to combat over-dryness. As an added bonus, both ingredients help regulate the skin’s sebum levels, preventing further breakouts.
Can I use Matrixyl and Retinol at the same time?
This is not true, that’s just because they both benefit the skin in similar ways. Stacking Matrixyl and Retinol can lead to side effects such as redness, peeling, itching, dryness and irritation. It is important to build up your skin’s tolerance by slowly introducing Retinol into your daily routine.
For best results without side effects, I recommend using each ingredient every other day so you can reap the benefits of the powerful active ingredients. Since both Matrixyl and Retinol promote skin cell turnover, it is especially important to wear SPF every day to protect your face from free radicals such as UV radiation, pollution, central heating and other environmental influences.
Can Matrixyl be used around the eyes?
Yes, you can! You will notice that the skin around your eyes is noticeably thinner than the rest of your skin. This often leads to signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and eye bags in the eye area. By applying Matrixyl under your eyes, you can increase hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and improve the appearance of eye bags that can look worse in the morning due to fluid retention or dehydration.
Can I mix Niacinamide with Peptides?
Yes, it is considered completely safe to mix Niacinamide and Peptides together. Using a mixture of these two powerful ingredients allows the skin’s lipid barrier to maintain proper levels of water and oil, ensuring it is strengthened and can protect the skin’s surface from harmful free radical damage. You can find more information about Niacinamide and Peptide mixtures in our blog post.
There you will get an in-depth look at the use of Niacinamide and Matrixyl together. Even if you already use these ingredients and have a good habit of using them, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor or dermatologist to ensure that you are using the ingredients that are best for you and your skin’s needs. If you still have any questions, you can find me on the Procoal Instagram account. I’d be happy to see you there.
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.