Can Niacinamide be used with Benzoyl Peroxide?
In recent years, the world of skin care has undergone some changes. What I mean by this is that we are all becoming more and more interested in active skin care ingredients, their benefits for the skin, and the different ways to incorporate them into our daily lives. For some people, their morning routine may suddenly feel like a chemistry lesson. As knowledgeable as we all become, there is always the danger of exaggerating. This is exactly why we are going to investigate whether or not Niacinamide can be used with Benzoyl Peroxide.
For those who are still struggling to understand what Niacinamide and Benzoyl Peroxide do for the skin, here is a review of these ingredients and their benefits.
What does Niacinamide do for the skin?
Contains moisturizing properties, ensuring that the skin is able to retain moisture in the skin barrier.
Helps regulate oil production by working with the sebaceous glands, preventing the overproduction of sebum (the natural oil in the skin).
Minimizes the appearance of pores, helping to keep the skin smooth and making pores less noticeable.
Protects the skin from oxidative stress by helping the skin produce more cells. This ensures that environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, and impurities have little impact on the skin.
Fights inflammation and treats acne by reducing the size of inflamed pustules.
These are some examples of what niacinamide does for the skin and the various benefits it can provide. If you want to learn more about niacinamide, check out our dedicated blog post on this clever ingredient on The Beauty Insiders.
What does benzoyl peroxide do for the skin?
Effectively eliminates bacteria and dead skin cells that can clog pores, leading to blemishes and breakouts.
Removes excess sebum from the skin, the natural oil on the surface of the skin.
Fights the appearance of acne scars and helps reduce pigmentation.
Goes deep into the pores to help remove excess sebum, impurities, bacteria, and other deposits.
For more information on benzoyl peroxide, see our dedicated blog post on our website.
Can benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide be used together?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide together. In fact, many experts recommend combining a highly effective drying ingredient like benzoyl peroxide with a moisturizing ingredient like niacinamide. When benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep into the skin, it can sometimes cause irritation and dryness. Niacinamide’s moisturizing properties mean it locks in moisture in the outer layer of the skin, keeping it hydrated and healthy. You’ll also notice results from benzoyl peroxide appearing faster.
Should I use niacinamide before or after benzoyl peroxide?
This largely depends on the skincare product that contains these powerful ingredients. It is believed that the best way to apply a product is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest. This prevents thicker formulas from forming a physical barrier on the skin, which prevents thinner products from reaching the areas of the skin that need them.
You’ll often find niacinamide in products like serums and moisturizers, and they usually have a thick, gel-like consistency. These are usually applied to the skin later in a skincare routine. This is because niacinamide works best when the formula has a higher water content, making it more absorbent to the skin. As I mentioned earlier, the formula plays a big role in at what stage of your daily routine you use the product.
What Not to Mix with Benzoyl Peroxide?
It is not recommended to mix benzoyl peroxide with other active ingredients like retinol. This is because the individual ingredients can deactivate each other and render both unusable. This also applies to other prescription treatments, it’s best to avoid benzoyl peroxide as well. To avoid unwanted side effects, leave enough time between uses to allow your skin to rebalance and be ready for the next product.
Which is better, benzoyl peroxide or niacinamide?
Both ingredients work differently on the skin, so it’s hard to compare. Both are very effective ingredients if you have oily skin that’s prone to breakouts and blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep into the lower layers of the skin, while niacinamide locks moisture to the outer surface of the skin and the protective barrier. You already know how benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide work together effectively, so you can enjoy the benefits of both powerful ingredients. Remember, if you have any questions about using niacinamide and benzoyl peroxide, you must consult a doctor or dermatologist to ensure you’re using the best skincare combination.
Is niacinamide good for acne?
Yes, it is. Those trying to combat acne often turn to highly effective ingredients and formulas. This can cause the skin to become dry, inflamed, and show signs of redness. With the moisturizing benefits of niacinamide, you can keep your skin hydrated and ensure the protective barrier remains fully functioning while regulating oil production. This oil-regulating ability ensures that acne breakouts are less frequent and more manageable, keeping your skin comfortable.
Why does niacinamide give me a rash?
Niacinamide works effectively with a variety of skincare ingredients in addition to vitamin C. This often leads to it being included in some skincare products that contain multiple ingredients. The reason your niacinamide product is causing a rash may have nothing to do with niacinamide at all. What often happens is that certain ingredients speed up skin cell turnover and exfoliate the skin, which causes skin detoxification. This is often confused with acne and rashes. Other ingredients that combine with niacinamide are also comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores, leading to breakouts and acne breakouts.
Here’s more information on using niacinamide and benzoyl peroxide together. If you have any additional questions, follow us on Instagram for more information.
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.
