Can You Use Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid Together?
Skincare can be daunting and confusing to begin with, but once you get the hang of things you’ll not only feel a tiny bit like a mad scientist with all your lotions and potions, but will really see the results in the overall finish of the skin. So, the aim of today is to clear things up a few things about the two potent ingredients and find out if you can use niacinamide and azelaic acid together in your daily skincare routine.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a much-loved ingredient due to the wealth of benefits for every skin type with an ability to combat a majority of skin concerns. With powerful anti-inflammatory properties niacinamide is a key ingredient when treating concerns such a breakouts and rosacea helping to lock in moisture and minimise the appearance of pores. By hydrating the skin it is helping repair the health of the protective barrier that sits on the surface of the skin which often encounters a lot of damage. It is this damage, frequently caused by free radicals such as pollution and UV rays, that leads to a number of problems for the complexion and keeping the skin healthy.
Main Skincare Benefits of Niacinamide
Locks in moisture into the skin and keeps it hydrated
Repairs damage in the protective barrier caused by free radicals
Helps to calm and soothe inflammation and redness
Minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that can make the skin appear older
Reduces the appearance of pores keeping the skin smooth
Stimulates the immunity of your skin making it able to protect itself
You have to admit that is an impressive ingredient and you may be happy to know that it can be used with a number of different ingredients offering your skin the ultimate advantage in seeing your skin goals come to life. But before you dash off to stock up on all your favourite products, there is one ingredient known to have a misunderstanding surrounding how effectively it works with niacinamide, and that is vitamin C. Many outdated reports suggest avoiding using vitamin C and niacinamide together as each ingredient performs similarly on the skin. You will find this isn’t a concern anymore with many people reaping the rewards from using these two powerhouse ingredients together.
What is azelaic acid?
Azelaic acid is another hard-working ingredient with a number of different skin benefits, you will find it is naturally present in the body as well as derived from wheat, grains and also synthetically. It contains an impressive about of properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and works at gently exfoliating the skin. The strength of azelaic acid does vary reaching as high as 20% in some formulations, but these are often used in professional environments with treatments such as skin peels. Much like all acids, your skin will become more photosensitive meaning it is vital to apply a daily SPF of 30 and above to protect the skin from exposure to UV light. Main Skincare Benefits of Azelaic Acid Exfoliates the skin gently by removing dead skin cells and working deep into the pores Combats active spots and blemishes with antibacterial properties that reduces any P.acnes bacteria found on the skin Helps to even out the overall tone of the skin by reducing hyperpigmentation and darks spots on the skin Can provide help at treating rosacea flare-ups to the skin You may be thinking that some of the benefits found in azelaic acid mimic those found in niacinamide. I’ll share with you more about how you can use these ingredients together, but if you are wanting to know more about niacinamide and azelaic acid there are dedicated blog posts on our website for you to check out. How do you use azelaic acid and niacinamide? Both of these ingredients are often formulated into skincare products, such as serums, face oil and cream. It is a good idea to consider the texture and consistency of these products when it comes to starting your daily routine. What I mean by this is, if for example you had a serum enriched in azelaic acid and a cream packed with niacinamide ideally you would need to apply the serum first. By doing this you are allowing the product to fully absorb into the skin without having to combat the barrier caused by the cream if it applied first. Let me now share with you some of our top tips on how to use niacinamide and azelaic acid together. Top Tips on how to use azelaic acid and niacinamide together Alternate which serum enriched with each ingredient you use in your daily routine. Serums work further down in the skin and offer a very potent boost for the skin with the ingredients formulated into the product to work overtime and deliver results quicker and more noticeably. You can also change things up a little and apply niacinamide in the morning and azelaic acid in the evening this will give you the peace of mind that each ingredient is getting their moment to shine and give notable results to the skin. With both ingredients you are able to apply them twice a day meaning if you have tested them both on the skin and there have been no signs of irritation or sensitivity you are good to go. By applying them both daily you are giving your skin the opportunity to see results quicker. Don’t forget to apply a daily SPF, as mentioned before azelaic acid makes the skin more sensitive to sun exposure so it is important to protect it from UV damage. This will also help niacinamide repair any previous damage caused and not having to focus on keeping the skin’s barrier healthy and functioning properly. If the skin ever shows any signs of irritation, redness and sensitivity it is best to stop using both ingredients, chances are your skin is more sensitive to azelaic acid and not niacinamide but it is always a good idea to start afresh and get to the bottom of the unwanted flare-up. Hopefully today we have cleared up a few things and made it easier for you to determine how you can work these ingredients into your routine. As always, we strongly suggest you consulting with your doctor or dermatologist before applying any new skincare product to the skin, especially if you have dry skin that is prone to becoming sensitive. We would love to hear what your thoughts, or even the chance to say hello so 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.
