Can retinol and niacinamide be used together?
Believe it or not, there are skincare products that contain both niacinamide and retinol in one formula. This is great for ensuring you get the benefits of each active ingredient in the quickest and most effective way possible. If you prefer to use each ingredient in separate products, try applying niacinamide first and retinol next.
By applying the ingredients this way, you ensure that the niacinamide is able to keep your complexion plump and hydrated, allowing the other ingredients to quickly absorb into the layers below.
If you want to learn more about these clever ingredients, you’re in luck, as there are dedicated blog posts about them, which you can find below.
What are the benefits of niacinamide for skin care?
What are the benefits of retinol for skin care?
How soon after using niacinamide can you apply retinol?
The ideal time between product applications is at least 30 minutes. This allows the skin ample time to rebalance its pH and prepare for the next formula to be applied.
When using different skincare products with active ingredients of different pH levels, the pH of the skin, which naturally tends to lean towards acidic, can often become unbalanced in a skincare routine. Many people don’t realize that this pH imbalance is a major cause of irritation, redness, and allergies.
Another way to use niacinamide and retinol together is to alternate them. After applying niacinamide in the morning, it’s best to apply retinol in the evening.
What not to mix with niacinamide?
It’s believed that niacinamide should not be mixed with vitamin C. Both active ingredients are rich in antioxidants and produce impressive results, but when used together, they cancel each other out, rendering both useless. Despite this, many people still want to use niacinamide and vitamin C together in their skin care routine. To really benefit from them and avoid unwanted allergic reactions or irritation, you can alternate between applying each ingredient to your skin on different days. You can also try applying vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide in the evening. This provides your skin with a continuous supply of antioxidants that can protect the skin barrier all day and repair damage at night.
Don’t forget: If you want to learn more about what not to mix with niacinamide, you can read a dedicated blog post on The Beauty Insiders blog.
How to use niacinamide and retinol?
As I mentioned before, there are skincare products that contain both niacinamide and retinol. This is often the most popular choice when these powerful ingredients are best used together. You’ll find that niacinamide can counteract the drying effects of retinol and help draw moisture into the skin barrier, keeping it plump and hydrated. Since niacinamide is also rich in antioxidants, it can help fight damage caused by free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays, central heating, and other environmental aggressors. Niacinamide effectively keeps the skin barrier in its healthiest state, while retinol penetrates the underlying layers and boosts collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and evens out skin tone by fading hyperpigmentation.
Can I use hyaluronic acid with niacinamide and retinol?
Yes, you can, and these three active ingredients are highly effective for almost all skin types. The trick to getting the best results is to apply these powerful powers in the right order.
If necessary, you can use hyaluronic acid and niacinamide twice a day. First, apply hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture in the skin using the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid. Next, apply niacinamide, which has the unique property of regulating sebum (the natural oil on the surface of the skin). You can top it off with a retinol product at night. Applying retinol to well-hydrated skin will ensure that it penetrates deeply into the skin and counteracts common drying side effects, leaving your skin feeling comfortable and looking its best.
Can I use retinol and retinoids at the same time?
You can if necessary. However, the downside is that using retinol and retinoids together can cause skin to feel tight, dry, and uncomfortable, and lead to flaking and redness.
Retinol and retinoids are pretty much the same thing, with the latter typically being a more potent form of vitamin A found in medical or prescription products. When it comes to using any type of retinol, it’s important to understand how to incorporate it into your nighttime routine. Start by using it once a week and slowly build up your skin’s tolerance. Also pay attention to the instructions on the packaging, as each retinol/retinoid product is formulated differently.
Should retinol be used before or after moisturizer?
This largely depends on which product contains the retinol. What I mean by this is that whether it’s a serum or a product that’s thinner in consistency than your moisturizer, it should be applied beforehand. You may also find that using a moisturizer after using retinol helps form a protective physical layer on the skin that helps fight exposure to free radicals (such as UV rays) and other environmental aggressors.
Should I wait 2-3 days before switching to a new skincare product?
Yes, you can wait about 2-3 days before switching to a new skincare product. Even if the formula contains active ingredients you already use, breakouts and skin irritation may still occur due to the pH imbalance.
When switching skincare products, also be prepared for a slight detoxification of your skin. This won’t last long, but if signs of irritation persist, you should discontinue use of the product and seek advice from your doctor or dermatologist.
Here’s more information on using niacinamide and retinol together. Don’t forget to visit us on Instagram if you have any skincare questions!
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.
