Can Vitamin C and Niacinamide be used together?
We looked at a few skincare ingredients in our recent blog post and we hope you find them useful. As I mentioned before, this can be an overwhelming and complex industry, especially given the sheer number of ingredients available.
Two powerful skincare ingredients shrouded in mystery and confusion are Niacinamide and Vitamin C. With that in mind, we’re going to go ahead and look at, and hopefully answer, some of the burning questions about how to use Vitamin C and Niacinamide together.
Can Niacinamide and Vitamin C be mixed together?
The short answer is: yes. This can be a little confusing because you’ve no doubt read a lot about how Vitamin C and Niacinamide are too harsh on the skin as a skincare combo. This is the result of outdated research into the effects of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), which caused mild irritation and redness when combined with Niacinamide. Granted, ascorbic acid was considered an extremely unstable ingredient back in the 1960s. If you look at modern formulations, you’ll see that this is no longer the case, as not only has ascorbic acid become more stable, but alternative forms of vitamin C such as ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are also used in various skincare products, both of which remain balanced and effective.
However, this doesn’t mean you should use skincare products that contain ingredients that you haven’t added to your daily routine. You must always do a 24-hour patch test before applying the product all over your skin to avoid unnecessary irritation.
Why can’t vitamin C and niacinamide be used together?
It’s well known that using vitamin C and niacinamide together causes the two ingredients to chemically cancel each other out. This renders both ingredients completely useless for the skin. Still, there’s nothing stopping you from using them every day, you just have to alternate between them. For best results, try using vitamin C in the morning. The potent antioxidant formula helps fight free radical damage caused by UV rays and pollution. Then, you can apply niacinamide in the evening, which locks in moisture and keeps your skin plump and hydrated while the other ingredients absorb quickly.
Do I use niacinamide before or after taking vitamin C?
As I suggested, you can use each ingredient at different times of the day. But if you want to use both vitamin C and niacinamide at the same time, it’s best to apply the vitamin C first and wait about 15 minutes before applying the niacinamide. Not only will the revitalizing benefits of vitamin C give your skin a radiant glow, but it will also reduce potential signs of irritation thanks to the hydrating, moisturizing properties of niacinamide.
Which is more effective, niacinamide or vitamin C?
Both vitamin C and niacinamide offer similar skin benefits, but they differ slightly depending on the pH level. For example, vitamin C is used in formulas with low pH levels, while niacinamide works at neutral or higher pH levels.
As for which is more effective, both are great to incorporate into any skin care routine. It’s no longer an outdated view that niacinamide and vitamin C have negative side effects, causing a variety of skin irritations, facial redness, and other allergic reactions. Using either product comes down to personal preference and daily habits, but if you want my advice, using both will yield effective results and an overall improved complexion. If you want to learn more about each ingredient and its skin benefits, you can read our dedicated blog posts on vitamin C and niacinamide.
Can vitamin C and hyaluronic acid be used together?
Yes, of course, if you want two ingredients that provide optimal, healthy skin, then hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are the way to go.
The nourishing and hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid ensure that the skin’s natural barrier remains fully functional. This is achieved by trapping moisture on the outer surface, keeping the barrier healthy and strong enough to protect against free radicals and other environmental aggressors. You’ll also find that when the protective barrier has the correct hydration content, any skincare applied will be absorbed quickly and effectively reach the correct areas of the underlying layers of the skin.
If you want to learn more about how to layer vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, you can read our blog post.
What happens when niacinamide and vitamin C are mixed?
I mentioned earlier that mixing niacinamide and vitamin C was once considered a bad idea because it would create niacin, a solution that causes flushing and redness in the skin, sometimes giving the skin a yellow appearance. In modern formulations, ascorbic acid and niacinamide can still form niacin, but the main difference is that a lot of heat over a longer period of time is required to trigger this reaction. It doesn’t happen often, and the combination of these two powerful ingredients can be your secret weapon to rejuvenated skin.
Can I use Vitamin C in the morning and Niacinamide at night?
Of course, using skincare with Vitamin C in the morning and Niacinamide at night is the best way to get the best of both worlds, especially if you have a skin type that’s prone to sensitivity and other skin issues like redness and irritation.
These are some examples of how to use Vitamin C and Niacinamide together. As I mentioned before, it’s important to remember that if you’re incorporating these ingredients into your skincare routine for the first time, always do a 24-hour patch test before applying these ingredients all over your skin.
Don’t forget: If you’re into skincare, follow us on Instagram and check out our latest YouTube episode on The Green Sofa.
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.