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 Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
