
Can you Mix Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid?
If you’re sat there feeling overwhelmed about skincare, stop right there as I’m here today to make sure everything makes a lot more sense. I don’t blame you for finding this all so confusing, there seems to be a new must have ingredient to introduce into your routine every week. So, when things start to pile up, figuring out the order of how to apply these ingredients can get a bit tricky!
Hopefully at the end of today’s blog post you’ll find mixing salicylic acid and niacinamide and hyaluronic acid as easy as putting the kettle on, so let’s get stuck in and find out more.
Can I use salicylic acid with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide?
Yes, you can, believe it or not! With the potent, anti-bacterial and anti-acne benefits of salicylic acid quite often there is the side effects of severe skin dryness and irritation. This is when the skin hydrating duo of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide step in. Each of these humectants work at locking moisture into the skin surface which will counteract skin dryness. They are also able to target and prevent damage caused by exposure to free radical, such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental aggressors.
When it comes to the best order to apply these ingredients, I suggest the following to gain optimal skin results with little to no side effects.
Cleanser
Exfoliating Toner enriched in Salicylic Acid
Serum containing Hyaluronic Acid
Serum containing Niacinamide
Moisturiser (optimal)
SPF (daytime routine only)
The reason I suggest applying hyaluronic acid before niacinamide because your skin will gain an impressive boost in hydration thanks to the hyaluronic acid. This will allow the niacinamide to provide its own unique benefit of regulating the sebum (natural oil in the skin) production on the skin surface.
Can you mix salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid?
You can apply both acids together, in fact, many skincare experts advise you to team together in your daily skincare regime. By introducing hyaluronic acid into your routine, you are giving your skin a boost in hydration as well as restoring balance. The bonus of teaming hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid is the fact they do not interfere with each other. Salicylic acid is the most used BHA in skincare formulas because of its impressive abilities to combat the bacteria that can cause frequent breakouts. It’s able to do this by penetrating further into the skin layers and unclog the pores of bacteria, impurities, and excess oil. Whilst salicylic acid is busy unblocking your pores hyaluronic acid is working on the outer surface of the skin keeping the protective barrier hydrated and in its healthiest state. If you are wanting to know more about how to layer hyaluronic acid with salicylic acid, check out our blog post.
Is it okay to mix salicylic acid and niacinamide?
It is okay to mix these powerhouse ingredients together, but, it is always best to proceed with caution. This is because although they each are a potent skin favourite, when teamed together they form an impressive duo. As I have mentioned already, the popular BHA can reach deep into the pores and break down the build-up of congestion formed of an array of excess oil, bacteria, and debris. Niacinamide compliments this by repairing and stimulating skin cell growth whilst simultaneously drawing in water from surrounding the face and locking it into place keeping the barrier fully hydrated and functioning correctly. We have a fully dedicated blog post about using salicylic acid serum and niacinamide together.
How do you use hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid?
This depends on the formulation these ingredients come in. The order you apply your skincare products is probably something you haven’t thought of before. However, it is an important part of ensuring you reap the rewards from your everyday routine. If you have read one of our previous blog posts, you would know that skincare products should be applied by thinnest to thickest consistency. By doing this you are enabling each product formula to absorb into the skin without having to combat any barrier created from thicker formulas on the face.
You’ll find that hyaluronic acid is mostly blended into gel-like serums which can be applied to the skin after you have used a cleanser enriched in salicylic acid. This will not only calm the skin but will boost its hydration allowing it to become more absorbent to any other products you apply afterwards.
Can AHA BHA use hyaluronic acid?
Yes absolutely, the beauty of hyaluronic acid is the fact it can be used on any skin type, with any ingredient. It has a reputation for being a great team player and is highly effective at neutralising any skin irritation caused by potent BHA, such as salicylic acid and AHA, such as glycolic acid.
With AHAs and BHAs often found in exfoliating toners or light-weight serums you will use the chemical exfoliant first before to slough away the build-up of dead skin cells, dirt, debris, and impurities before restoring and rebalancing the skin with hyaluronic acid.
Can I use 2 products with salicylic acid?
You can, but ensure you are using the best products to experience the benefits and avoid any unwanted reactions. Salicylic acid is very potent but very effective at targeting blemishes, spots and acne causing bacteria on the skin. You will often find an array of different percentage levels in different formulas, from cleanser and serums, to face masks and topical spot treatments. This is something you need to keep in mind when applying your skincare products. By limiting the number of times, you use salicylic acid in your daily routine to once a day will ensure you’ll see results without any side effects. If you already have several products containing the BHA in their formulas, then you can instead alternate the days or time of day you are applying them to your face.
Does moisturiser go before salicylic acid?
Moisturiser should remain one of the final steps in your skincare regime. This is because it is usually the thickest in consistency and if applied too soon in your routine will prevent other products penetrating through into the skin. Although serums are usually considered a product that can deliver more active level of ingredients to the skin compared to moisturisers, moisturisers still provide protection to the face.
Now, I hope that today has provided you with some more information about how to mix salicylic acid and niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Don’t forget if you have any further questions come and follow us over on our 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.