**Can You Mix Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid?**
Yes, you can mix **niacinamide**, **vitamin C**, and **hyaluronic acid** together, and these three ingredients can actually work really well for your skin when used correctly. Here’s a breakdown of how you can layer them and maximize their benefits for a healthy, glowing complexion.
### Can I Use Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C?
The short answer is yes! While there has been some outdated advice suggesting that **niacinamide** and **vitamin C** should not be used together due to possible interactions, this is no longer a major concern with modern formulations. Newer, more stable forms of **vitamin C** (ascorbic acid) have made it much safer to use with niacinamide, and you can use them both in your routine. That said, it’s still generally recommended to apply these ingredients at different times of the day to optimize their effects and prevent any potential irritation.
### How to Layer Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid
Here’s how you can layer these three ingredients for maximum benefits:
#### 1. **Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid**
Yes, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid work beautifully together. **Hyaluronic acid** is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin, and it works well with niacinamide to **lock in hydration** while also improving the skin barrier and calming inflammation. Here’s how to use them:
– **Start with hyaluronic acid**: Apply it to damp skin after cleansing. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture, so applying it to slightly damp skin will allow it to pull in water and keep your skin plumped and hydrated.
– **Follow with niacinamide**: Niacinamide can be used after hyaluronic acid. It will help regulate sebum (oil) production, reduce redness and irritation, and boost your skin’s natural barrier function. Niacinamide works well with hyaluronic acid to improve skin texture and provide lasting hydration without clogging pores.
#### 2. **Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid**
These two ingredients also work really well together, especially when it comes to **skin repair** and **hydration**. **Vitamin C** brightens the skin, fights free radicals, and helps to **reduce hyperpigmentation**, while **hyaluronic acid** ensures your skin stays hydrated. Here’s how to layer them:
– **Apply hyaluronic acid first**: After cleansing, apply hyaluronic acid while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture.
– **Then apply vitamin C**: Vitamin C should be applied next. It helps protect the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals from pollution and UV rays. By applying hyaluronic acid first, your skin is more hydrated and more absorbent, which allows the vitamin C serum to work more effectively.
#### 3. **Niacinamide and Vitamin C**
While there was some concern about **niacinamide** and **vitamin C** not playing well together, modern formulations have addressed this issue. It’s safe to use them together, but it’s often recommended to use them at different times of the day to avoid irritation or any potential conflict in their action.
– **Use vitamin C in the morning**: Vitamin C is an antioxidant, so it works best in the morning to protect your skin from environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution. Apply it after your cleanser and before sunscreen.
– **Use niacinamide in the evening**: Niacinamide works well at night to help repair and restore the skin. It also helps regulate sebum and reduce inflammation, making it ideal for evening use when your skin is in repair mode.
### Does Vitamin C React with Niacinamide?
While older research suggested that **niacinamide** and **vitamin C** might cancel each other out due to pH differences, this is not a major concern with **modern, stable forms of vitamin C**. The concern was mainly with **non-stabilized vitamin C** formulations, which could turn into **nicotinic acid** (a compound that could cause irritation) when mixed with niacinamide.
Now, with newer, stabilized forms of **ascorbic acid** and properly formulated niacinamide products, these two can safely be used together. If you want to be cautious or have sensitive skin, however, it’s still a good idea to **use vitamin C in the morning** and **niacinamide in the evening** to minimize any risk of irritation.
### Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid Every Day?
Yes! **Hyaluronic acid** is a gentle ingredient that can be used **every day**, even twice a day, without issues. It’s safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it provides hydration and moisture throughout the day. It’s especially effective when applied to **damp skin** because it draws water from the environment and helps lock it into the skin. This ensures your skin stays hydrated and plump all day long.
### Which Goes First: Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid?
When layering **vitamin C** and **hyaluronic acid**, the general rule is to apply products based on their consistency—from thinnest to thickest. Here’s the order:
– **First: Vitamin C** (serum consistency): Vitamin C is typically formulated as a lightweight serum, so it should go on first, directly after cleansing and toning.
– **Then: Hyaluronic Acid** (usually thicker gel): Hyaluronic acid is typically a thicker, more viscous formula, so it should go on after vitamin C to help lock in moisture and ensure hydration.
### Summary: Can You Mix Niacinamide, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid?
Yes, you can safely mix **niacinamide**, **vitamin C**, and **hyaluronic acid** into your skincare routine. Here’s the optimal way to layer them:
– **Morning routine**:
– Cleanse
– Apply **vitamin C**
– Follow with **hyaluronic acid**
– Finish with sunscreen
– **Evening routine**:
– Cleanse
– Apply **hyaluronic acid**
– Follow with **niacinamide**
By using these ingredients correctly, you can benefit from their complementary actions—hydrating and plumping the skin, brightening dark spots, and supporting skin health. If you have sensitive skin, it’s always a good idea to start slowly and patch-test new combinations, especially when using potent ingredients like **vitamin C** and **niacinamide**.
If you’re ever unsure or need advice on the best products for your skin type, consulting with a dermatologist or skincare professional is always a smart step.
Feel free to check out our Instagram for more skincare tips and product recommendations!
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.
