Can You Use Vitamin C At Night and Niacinamide in The Morning?
If you’ve been around this part of the internet, you would have read our blog posts about whether you can use these powerhouse ingredients together. There is no denying that both niacinamide and vitamin C are highly effective and beneficial to include into your skincare routine. Whether you use them individually, or teamed together, the benefits you can expect to see will result in a complexion that is bright, smooth, and healthy. Now, if you find yourself still a little puzzled about how everything works, we have a blog post about using niacinamide and vitamin C so check that out to clear up any questions you have.
Before we dive into the topic today, here is a brief refresher on how these ingredients work on the skin.
What does vitamin C do for the skin?
Known and loved by many experts and dermatologists, and for good reason. Not only does vitamin C deliver brightening results to the complexion, but you’ll also find this potent powerhouse is able to keep your skin protected. It can do this because it is packed with antioxidants that work tirelessly to prevent damage caused from UV exposure, central heating, pollution, and other environmental aggressors. Vitamin C is also able to inhibit the enzyme known as tyrosinase from developing hyperpigmentation in the skin. There are also anti-inflammatory properties in vitamin C that help keep the complexion calm and helps reduce any redness.
If you wanted to know more about vitamin C, you can check out our dedicated blog post about vitamin C and its skincare benefits.
What does niacinamide do for the skin?
Niacinamide is a powerful form of vitamin B3 and works at repairing the skin. It contains humectant properties which work at drawing water surrounding the face and locking it into place. This leads to the skin feeling hydrated, moisturised, and healthy with the protective skin barrier being strengthened ensuring it can ward of any free radical damage. Unlike its fellow humectant, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide can regulate the production of sebum making it a highly effective ingredient for all skin types to benefit from.
If you wanted to know more about niacinamide and how it works on the skin, we’ve got a blog post for you here.
Can you use vitamin C and niacinamide?
Yes, you can, but it’s best to use them in the correct way to avoid any unwanted skin irritations. This is because both niacinamide and vitamin C aren’t compatible due to the fact they both perform similarly on the skin. When layering these ingredients together, you may think you super charge their benefits, but what you’ll find is both render the other useless. To reap the rewards, many skin experts suggest either waiting up to 15 minutes in between applications. This will allow enough time for the skin’s pH levels to rebalance and ensure you bypass any negative side effects. Another way of applying them is to alternate the time of day you use them on the skin, many prefer to benefit from the glow of vitamin C opting to apply it in the morning, following this with niacinamide in the evening to counteract any damage caused to the skin throughout the day.
How long should I wait between niacinamide and vitamin C?
As I have mentioned, waiting about 15 minutes between applications is the ideal way of bypassing any skin flare-ups. With both niacinamide and vitamin C performing similar benefits on the skin you want to ensure they each have their time to shine. The pH levels of each ingredient are also different with vitamin C having a low, more acidic pH level compared to niacinamide which is more neutral, closer to being alkaline. This is important to remembering when using these ingredients together as niacinamide will prevent vitamin C from working on the skin.
There is a blog post that answers more of your questions about how long you should wait between using niacinamide and vitamin C.
What goes first vitamin C or niacinamide?
This is very much dependent on the formulas each ingredient is blended in to. You may have already heard of the basic skin rule which is to apply your products starting with the thinnest consistency moving up to the thickest. You’ll often find both vitamin C and niacinamide are found in certain skincare products, such as serums. If you are wanting to use both during the same routine apply the thinner serum first, wait 15 minutes, then move onto the thicker consistency. From my experience you will find that the thicker of the two contains niacinamide as a gel-like will give the humectant traits a helping hand with hydrating the skin.
When should you use niacinamide morning or night?
This boils down to personal preference, in fact, there is nothing stopping you from using niacinamide twice a day. You will find there are different benefits to using niacinamide in the morning and night. Many find that when they apply it in the morning their skin reaps the rewards of the continuous hydration keeping the skin barrier at its healthiest state and able to protect itself from further skin damage. Others find that applying niacinamide in the evening ensures the potent ingredient can work at repairing and regenerating the skin without being disrupted from exposure to free radicals such as UV light and pollution.
Can I use vitamin C at night?
Absolutely you can use vitamin C at night. Although it has an association with daytime application many find that using products enriched in vitamin C throughout their evening routine deliver impressive results. You will find that the skin is repaired, rejuvenated, and any damage caused from your daily tasks are erased, and all of this whilst you catch up on your beauty sleep.
Is vitamin C or niacinamide better for dark spots?
Both ingredients are highly effective at combating dark spots, the one you choose to use is down to personal preference or rather, which one your skin prefers. You’ll often find that for some using vitamin C formulas can sometimes be too potent for the skin, if this is the case, switch over to niacinamide for a gentler alternative.
There you have it, some more information about using vitamin C at night and niacinamide in the morning. If you have any further skincare questions, come, and find 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.
