Can I Use Ferulic Acid and Niacinamide?
When it comes to skincare, there’s one ingredient that can really benefit your complexion when used on a daily basis: antioxidants. Beloved by many skincare lovers and a favorite ingredient among skincare professionals, it’s
undeniable that it improves skin.
If you’re wondering what exactly antioxidants do for your skin, this next section is for you, because in today’s blog post, we’ll focus on two main ingredients: Niacinamide and Ferulic Acid.
What is ferulic acid?
Ferulic acid is a powerful plant antioxidant that provides several benefits to the skin.
It is commonly found in a variety of foods such as bran, oats, citrus fruits, and apple seeds.
It is known to be safe for most skin types. Note, however, that if you have sensitive skin, you should do a 24-hour patch test on your skin before applying any new skin care formula. This avoids unnecessary irritation.
The antioxidant properties of ferulic acid ensure that it fights free radicals like pollution and overexposure to UV rays.
By fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing damage, ferulic acid protects the skin’s lipid barrier and keeps it fully functional.
Helps fight the signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles on the skin’s surface.
Reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, sun damage, acne scars and dark spots
Ferulic acid is found in many skin care products such as serums, masks and moisturizers.
Effective alone or in combination with other antioxidant-rich ingredients such as vitamin C.
It has earned a reputation as an antioxidant that can boost the effectiveness of other antioxidants.
Ferulic acid also enhances the skin’s photoprotection capabilities, meaning it minimizes sun damage and other damage from UV exposure.
If you want to learn more about ferulic acid, check out Skin School on the Procoal website.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a water-based vitamin with several benefits for the skin.
Being a humectant means it draws moisture into the skin and locks it there.
By moisturizing the skin’s surface, the protective barrier is strengthened against free radical damage such as pollution and central heating.
Its ability to regulate sebum production makes Niacinamide an extremely beneficial ingredient for all skin types.
Safe to use in combination with other ingredients without causing irritation, redness, discomfort and itching.
The complexion is plumped, hydrated and more youthful.
Fights hyperpigmentation and other signs of damage from environmental exposure.
Removes stubborn flakes and dry skin from the skin’s surface for a radiant, dewy complexion.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of niacinamide, read our dedicated blog post.
Now that we’ve briefly outlined these ingredients and their benefits for the skin, let’s turn our attention to whether ferulic acid and niacinamide can be used.
Can I take ferulic acid and niacinamide?
Yes, you can definitely use ferulic acid and niacinamide. This is due to ferulic acid’s unique properties that enhance the effectiveness of other antioxidants like niacinamide. By combining these two powerful forces, you can
double your defense against natural disasters.
You can use niacinamide and ferulic acid together in a variety of ways, such as
Option one –
Layer them together in your morning and evening skincare routine. This prevents free radical damage throughout the day and repairs existing damage at night when exposed to free radicals, such as B. UV rays are limited.
Option two:
You can alternate ingredients in your daily life. For example, use ferulic acid in the morning and niacinamide in the evening. This helps each powerhouse achieve optimal results individually and maintain a constant protective
layer on the skin’s surface.
Here are some of the most popular ways to use each ingredient together. If you have concerns about layering these powerful antioxidants or are unfamiliar with these formulations, consult your doctor or dermatologist to ensure
you are using the best ingredients for your needs.
What can ferulic acid be mixed with?
Antioxidants are best combined with ferulic acid. I mean Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid. In addition to enhancing the efficacy of other ingredients, Ferulic Acid provides stability and enhances the effect
of the ingredient blend applied to the skin’s surface. This ensures that the results of your skincare routine are visible faster and stay on your complexion longer.
Ferulic acid binds especially well with vitamin C, which has a reputation for being very unstable and irritating to the skin over time. However, this evidence is based on outdated scientific evidence. Thanks to modern advances,
many skin care formulations contain stable vitamin C derivatives and work without the fear of irritation.
What can I mix with Niacinamide?
Niacinamide can be blended with all skincare ingredients, but most beneficial are high-potency actives like retinol. This is due to the moisturizing properties of Niacinamide, which helps counteract the common dehydration of the
skin’s surface caused by retinol. You’ll find that thanks to the moisture in the skin barrier, the retinol penetrates the skin quickly without irritation, ensuring that both ingredients work at their best. Other active
ingredients that work well with niacinamide include glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and of course ferulic acid.
There you will gain insight into the combined use of ferulic acid and niacinamide. Don’t forget: If you’d like more information or have additional questions, you can find one of our skincare experts 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.
