Can you Mix Niacinamide and Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid?
When it comes to layering and mixing skincare ingredients, things may seem complicated but in recent times modern formulas have made things a lot easier to handle. Whether you have the skincare knowledge that rivals a dermatologist, or you’re a beginner to all things skin I am confident you will achieve your skin goals. So, with no further a due, let’s get started and find out more about how you can mix niacinamide, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
Can I use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C?
The short answer is yes, it is known that you can use all three of these ingredients together safely and effectively. How you use them is up to you, you can team niacinamide with hyaluronic acid, or vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Something you may discover is a lot of research expressing several warnings against using niacinamide and vitamin C together. This is because each ingredient tends to cancel each other out rendering their application to the skin wasted effort. Although this is still true in some cases, considered that this research to be slightly outdated.
With modern day formulations that contain different, more stable forms of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) that do not react the same. I would still suggest however to alternate the time of day you apply each ingredient. For optimal results use vitamin C in your morning routine followed with niacinamide in your evening routine. As for mixing hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and niacinamide, here are examples of the most effective way to reap the rewards of this potent trio.
Can I use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together?
Yes, you can indeed! Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide deliver impressive hydrating benefits for the skin. With them both being water-based, and humectants results in a plumped, hydrated complexion which remains at its healthiest state as moisture is locked into the lower layers. These ingredients are both suitable for all skin types to use and the best way of applying them during your routine is starting off with hyaluronic acid, followed with niacinamide. This allows the skin’s natural barrier to benefit from a boost in hydration whilst niacinamide can regulate the sebum (the natural oil found on the skin) production. This hydrating duo will leave your skin in its healthiest, balanced state.
If you are wanting to know a little more about using hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together, there is a dedicated blog post about how to use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together.
Can I use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together?
Yes, you can! Using vitamin C with hyaluronic acid together is an effective skin restoring duo. Each ingredient provides its own unique benefits for the skin as well as some that are complementary resulting in healthy skin.
Once you have cleansed and toned the face you can apply hyaluronic acid. The skin will be left hydrated with the skin barrier full of the correct levels of water. This not only keeps your complexion looking healthy, it also ensures the skin acts similar to a wet sponge and act highly absorbent which is ideal for other potent formulas applied afterwards. Vitamin C carries a vast amount of benefits, from brighten your skin, minimising the appearance of hyperpigmentation and repair damage caused by exposure to free radicals. There is a blog post about layering hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together effectively so do check that our for more information.
Does vitamin C react with niacinamide?
The short answer to this is yes, as I have already mentioned there is a slight outdated myth circulating about teaming niacinamide and vitamin C together. Throughout the older formulations containing non-stabilised forms of both ingredients often resulted in chemical reaction, such as nicotinic acid, preventing each ingredient to deliver results to the skin. You’ll find that modern formulas contain a variety of stable forms of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and correct levels of niacinamide to prevent pH levels to become imbalanced which leads to the skin becoming irritated, flushed with redness and even flare-ups in breakouts and spots. There is also the potential for nicotinic acid to develop so it is best to consult with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure your skin will tolerate these ingredients and that you are using them correctly.
Can I use hyaluronic acid every day?
Yep, in fact you can use it twice a day, especially if you are applying it to fully cleansed skin that is still a little damp. Hyaluronic acid loves being massaged into wet skin as it can perform its humectant properties ensuring moisture is locked in, this is something it continues to do the entire day. By keeping the skin barrier hydrated you are helping it protect the face from any free radical damage that comes into contact with the skin on a daily basis as soon as you step foot outside your front door.
Which goes first vitamin C or hyaluronic acid?
When it comes to using vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in your skincare routine you must remember to take into consideration the consistency each of these powerhouses are formulated in. This is because the order in which you apply skincare products plays a vital role in obtaining the best results for the complexion. The basic rule for application is thinnest to thickest starting with cleansers and face washes, moving to exfoliating toners, serums, moisturisers, face oils and the final step for daily application of SPF.
You will generally find vitamin C is often formulated into a serum that has a runny, watery consistency compared to hyaluronic acid that tends to be a thicker, gel like formula.
There you have a little more information about mixing niacinamide and vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. With all three delivering such impressive results it is perfectly clear why using all together would result in a glowing, healthy and balanced complexion. Don’t forget if you have any questions come and find me over on the Procoal 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.
