How long should you wait between vitamin C and niacinamide?
When it comes to active ingredients in skincare, niacinamide and vitamin C are really popular, and for good reason. They both have impressive skin benefits, some of which are considered very similar. The question is whether they work best alone or should be used in combination. Don’t worry, I’m going to clear up some of the confusion on the subject and explain how best to use these two powerful remedies together, as well as how long you should wait between vitamin C and niacinamide.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has a lot of benefits for the skin. It helps the skin by improving the skin’s natural protective barrier by producing ceramides. When the barrier is working properly, it protects itself from free radicals and other environmental influences. It also increases collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while regulating sebum production (natural oils on the surface of the skin) and sebum volume.
You’ll also find that it has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, keeping the skin fully protected and in its healthiest state all day long.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is another very popular skin ingredient with a variety of benefits. It has antioxidant properties that chemically exfoliate the skin and rejuvenate the complexion by balancing texture and skin tone. Hyperpigmentation and dark spots are visibly reduced, while exposure to free radicals causes no further damage.
If you’ve read any of our previous articles, you’ll notice that we’ve discussed how the idea of using Niacinamide and Vitamin C together is often seen as a pointless endeavor. This is the result of some outdated research from the 1960s, when formulas often used an unstable form of Vitamin C, which, when combined with Niacinamide, caused a chemical reaction called Niacin. This essentially caused a competition between the individual ingredients, causing them to lose their potency and no longer be effective for the skin. Modern formulas often contain two different types of stable Vitamin C, which work together effectively if used correctly.
Can Vitamin C be used after taking Niacinamide?
Yes, you can, but in order to fully benefit from the benefits of Vitamin C (also known as Ascorbic Acid), it is generally considered to be used first, followed by Niacinamide. This allows the Ascorbic Acid to penetrate the skin and exfoliate the outer surface. Applying Niacinamide afterwards will ensure that any skin irritation that may occur after using Vitamin C is soothed and relieved.
How long do I need to wait after applying Niacinamide?
When layering Vitamin C and Niacinamide, you should wait about 15 minutes between applications for best results. If that’s too long for you and time is a little tight, there are skincare products that have both ingredients in their formulas. If all else fails, you can alternate between using each ingredient, either on different days or in your morning or evening skincare routine. Regardless of how you use your skincare products, it’s important to consult with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure it’s safe for you when you introduce a new product or ingredient into your routine.
Can I use Niacinamide in the morning and Vitamin C at night?
Actually, yes, but if you ask my own opinion, the glow your skin gets after using Vitamin C will disappear by bedtime. With that in mind, I recommend using a Vitamin C product in your morning routine and then Niacinamide in the evening. With Niacinamide’s potent blend of antioxidants and its ability to regulate the skin’s sebum production, using it at night has the same effect as hitting the reset button on your complexion. Damage caused by free radicals and other environmental influences of the day is repaired and balance is restored. The best part is, all of this hard work can be done while you get some well-deserved beauty sleep.
Why can’t Vitamin C and Niacinamide be used together?
As I mentioned, there is still a concern about not using Vitamin C and Niacinamide together. This is not easy as Vitamin C is one of the most difficult ingredients to use, so finding the best product for your skin type is an important task.
With modern formulas, you will find that these ingredients complement each other on a layered basis to give you skin that is even-toned and radiant in texture.
Is Niacinamide better in the morning or at night?
Niacinamide can be used morning and night, and it works just as well no matter what time of day you use it. It is also recommended to use it twice a day to ensure that your skin achieves optimal hydration, as the hydrating properties lock moisture on the outer surface.
If you want to choose the time of day that works for you, here are the benefits: Using Niacinamide during your morning routine gives your skin the extra protection it needs to get through the day and fights off damage caused by free radicals such as UV radiation, pollution, and bad weather. When used at night, any damage caused during the day is repaired and excess sebum on the skin’s surface is regulated.
Niacinamide is a resilient ingredient that can withstand a variety of factors that can easily reduce the effectiveness of other skincare ingredients. This is a benefit when combined with vitamin C such as heat exposure. While chemical reactions of niacin are undesirable, it is not completely impossible for it to occur on the skin. If you experience redness or flushing after using niacinamide and vitamin C, you should stop using these products. However, such reactions are still very unusual. If you have any concerns, it is best to consult a doctor or dermatologist to ensure that you and your skin are comfortable with the products you are using.
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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.