Can Niacinamide be used with Mandelic Acid?
There is a certain amount of science involved in skin care application. When it comes to layering ingredients, we often forget that different pH levels change the efficacy of each active ingredient and how it works on the skin. Many users mistakenly believe that layering ingredients can lead to adverse side effects such as rashes, itching, and discomfort. However, these can be easily avoided if you know how to combine different ingredients in your daily routine. You may be surprised to know that most skin care ingredients can be used in a single routine. You just need to understand their pH levels and know when to apply them to the skin.
This brings us to our question today: Can Niacinamide be used with Mandelic Acid? Let’s quickly summarize how these ingredients work and what benefits they can bring to the skin.
What is Mandelic Acid?
It is extracted from bitter almonds and belongs to the group of chemical peels called alpha hydroxy acids, also known as AHAs.
Has a larger molecular size, making it gentle enough for all skin types, even those prone to redness and sensitivity.
Removes the layer of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to reveal fresher new cells underneath.
Fights signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles and significantly reduces their appearance in a few weeks.
Helps fight clogged pores and skin blemishes. Mandelic acid removes excess sebum, dirt, bacteria and other impurities from pores.
Mandelic acid prevents hyperpigmentation like melasma, dark spots, post-acne scars and other areas of uneven skin tone.
There are some side effects like itching, swelling, redness, itching etc. Therefore, you must seek advice from your doctor or dermatologist before adding any new ingredient to your routine.
If you want to know more about mandelic acid, read our dedicated blog post.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that is extracted from brewer’s yeast and grains.
Known for its moisturizing properties, it ensures that moisture is locked in the skin. This helps the skin barrier to function properly and protect itself from free radicals.
Can be effectively combined with other ingredients, even chemical acids like glycolic, lactic and mandelic acid.
May help regulate sebum production, making niacinamide a useful ingredient for those with acne-prone and dry skin types.
Visibly reduces the appearance of enlarged pores and ensures an overall improved complexion.
Fights signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of dehydration on the skin’s surface.
Tightens the skin around the chin and neck, helping to improve skin tone.
Restores skin’s radiance and reduces the appearance of dullness and lackluster skin common to the skin.
Learn more about niacinamide at Beauty Insider.
How to Use Niacinamide and Mandelic Acid?
There are a variety of ways to use mandelic acid and niacinamide together. Unlike other active ingredients, you can actually layer these ingredients. However, each has a different pH level, and if they are mixed too quickly, the pH of your skin may shift. This can lead to redness, itching, flaking, and sometimes severe irritation. Here are some examples of how to use niacinamide and mandelic acid together.
Using These Two Ingredients in Your Everyday Life
As I suggested before, you can use mandelic acid and niacinamide together. Remember that you need to wait about 10 minutes between applications to allow the active ingredients to be absorbed and the pH to be balanced.
Apply mandelic acid, then niacinamide
First, use a cleanser or exfoliating toner containing mandelic acid to remove dead skin cells and dirt from your skin. Then use niacinamide to bind moisture into the skin so that the skin barrier functions properly and can protect itself from free radicals such as pollution, central heating, cigarette smoke and other environmental influences.
Alternate products at different times of the day
You can also use one active ingredient in your morning routine and another in your evening routine. If you already have an established collection, this is an effective way to make the most of all your skincare products.
There is a basic rule for skincare: apply your skincare products in order of consistency. Start with the thinnest and end with the thickest. This allows you to determine which ingredient to apply to your skin first.
What not to mix with mandelic acid?
It is believed that it is best to avoid mixing mandelic acid with other acids such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and retinol. This is because using too many exfoliating ingredients can over-irritate the skin, leading to facial redness, itching, flaking, severe dryness, and general discomfort.
If you want to use AHAs and mandelic acid, you can do so by alternating the days you use each active ingredient. For example, you could avoid using mandelic acid on the nights you use retinol. When introducing new ingredients to your routine, you may want to do a 24-hour patch test before applying the new formula to your face. To do a patch test, you first need to apply a 10p-sized small amount to the inside of your arm. Leave the product there overnight, and if there are no signs of irritation in the morning, you can use the product on your face.
What not to mix with niacinamide?
It was believed that you should avoid using vitamin C when using niacinamide because both are antioxidants and work on the skin in similar ways. This information is now considered somewhat outdated, and many product formulas contain a stabilized form of vitamin C, reducing concerns about combining these powerful drugs.
Here is more information on using niacinamide and mandelic acid. Don’t forget: If you have any questions, you can find one of our health experts 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.