
Can You use Niacinamide and Glycolic Acid Together?
There’s a lot of noise surrounding how to use various skincare ingredients, at times it can feel quite deafening. With the promise of clarity and skin concerns erased overnight, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear you’ve thrown all caution to the wind and slathered your skin in every product sitting on your bedroom cabinet. This could cause you some problems, especially if those products contain active levels of glycolic acid and niacinamide.
Both niacinamide and glycolic acid deliver similar results for the skin. They both improve the skin texture, flare-ups in breakouts such as acne, reduce the appearance of ageing (such as fine lines and wrinkles) and target areas of hyperpigmentation.
Although it may seem a good idea to layer niacinamide on top of glycolic acid there is an important part of skincare that you should always keep in mind. What I mean is how each product formula comes with a different pH level. Now, this may not seem important, but imbalanced pH levels are usually the cause of skin irritation, redness, and dryness. With different pH levels means the time it takes for each ingredient to absorb into the skin can vary, sometimes it can take seconds, a few minutes or even up to 30 minutes. One simple way of remembering how long it’ll take is the higher the pH level, the longer amount of time it needs to absorb into the skin. With niacinamide having a higher pH level than glycolic acid, it will take a lot longer to absorb into the skin, and even then it wouldn’t penetrate as far down as glycolic acid.
Now if you are still a little muddled with how these ingredients can even work together, I’m going to now answer some of the common questions about using niacinamide and glycolic acid together.
Can I mix glycolic acid and niacinamide?
Yes, you can, but ensure you use them correctly. What I mean by this is allowing enough time in between applying each ingredient to avoid any irritation. As I have already mentioned, niacinamide pH level is higher and more alkaline than glycolic acid. Therefore, it advisable to avoid using them at the same time, so for optimal results apply glycolic acid first, allow a few minutes to pass before applying niacinamide over the face.
If you are wanting to know more about how to mix niacinamide and glycolic acid together check out our dedicated blog post.
How do you use niacinamide and glycolic acid?
To use niacinamide and glycolic acid effectively together you must allow enough time in between applications. This will not only allow the ingredients to absorb into the skin but will leave enough time to pass to ensure you have avoided any potential irritation. The order in how you apply skincare products is also an important factor when using niacinamide and glycolic acid. You may already know that to reap the rewards and have an effective routine requires you to apply your products from the thinnest consistency to thickest. This, therefore, means you’ll apply glycolic acid to the skin before niacinamide as the acid is usually formulated into products such as exfoliating toners, compared to niacinamide which is found in more serums and moisturisers.
What can you not mix with niacinamide?
Although niacinamide is extremely hydrating, you will find that there are some active ingredients that should be avoided when using it in your daily skincare regime. You can find out more over on our dedicated blog post about what can you not mix with niacinamide.
What goes well with glycolic acid?
There are a couple ingredients that can be teamed with glycolic acid, however, before I share with you some of the most effective combinations, do consult with a doctor or dermatologist to ensure any ingredients you are introducing to your skin will not cause irritation or redness.
Glycolic Acid & Salicylic Acid
This combo of potent BHA and AHA is great for those with an oily skin type that is prone to breakouts. Each acid works in different layers of the skin ensuring any clogged pores are cleared whilst the layer of dead skin cells that are found on the outer surface are sloughed away. Together these chemical exfoliants can rid the skin of acne forming impurities, giving you an all-over healthy complexion. Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid Although glycolic acid and lactic acid belong to the same AHA family due to their different molecular size, they can work on different areas of the skin. Lactic acid has a large molecule size meaning it works on the outer surface, whilst glycolic acid can reach further into the skin and work at removing excess oil, bacteria and impurities found in the lower layers. Glycolic Acid & Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic acid is one of the rare ingredients that can be used by all skin types. It can deliver a boost in hydration with its humectant properties locking water into the face resulting in a continuous moisturisation. This makes hyaluronic acid an ideal teammate for glycolic acid as it can counteract any signs of irritation or dryness that can potentially occur when using the potent AHA. There you have some prime examples of some ingredients that work well with glycolic acid. Before applying any products to the skin however, I suggest performing a 24-patch test on the inside of your forearm before applying it to the face. Can niacinamide be used with AHA BHA? Yes, but with caution. As I have already mentioned pH levels of skincare formulations play an important role in how they react on the skin. With the high alkaline level of niacinamide resulting in it taking longer to absorb compared to the potent and acidic AHAs, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid and BHA such as salicylic acid. Can I use glycolic acid every day? You can indeed, if you skin has built its tolerance and is happy for a daily application you can use glycolic acid every day. Those with a normal, combination or oily skin type will benefit the most from the exfoliating effects of glycolic acid. If you tend to have a dry skin type it is best to avoid glycolic acid and instead opt for lactic acid or PHA as these are gentler on the skin. Can I use moisturiser after glycolic acid? Absolutely, using a moisturiser after glycolic acid will combat any dryness whilst forming a protective barrier over the skin. This physical barrier on the outer surface of the skin will prevent any environmental aggressors causing any damage or imbalance to the protective barrier. Now, with any luck I have cleared up some of the confusion surrounding using niacinamide and glycolic acid together, but if you have any more do come and follow us on 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.