How to Layer Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide
The beauty industry is constantly changing, with a new ingredient, formula, or treatment to try every week. We are often dazzled by the choices and often overwhelmed by all the exciting new products. However, there are a few iconic ingredients that have earned a reputation for being the best no matter how they are formulated. These ingredients are Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, which you may have heard of and may have used! But the question is whether you can use them together and how to best layer them when using them in your skincare routine. So let’s not hesitate to learn more about these hydrating ingredients.
Can Hyaluronic Acid Be Used Together with Niacinamide?
Of course, both ingredients are easy to use, suitable for all skin types, and can provide similar but impressive results.
Niacinamide
Also known as Vitamin B3, this superhero ingredient regulates sebum production (the natural oil in the skin), helping to control acne or breakout problems. You will also find that this ingredient is effective in minimizing the appearance of pores and reducing signs of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Hyaluronic Acid
The main benefit of Hyaluronic Acid is its hydrating effect, which is h. It attracts and locks in moisture to the skin to combat dry and dehydrated areas. This allows it to work continuously, leaving your skin feeling comfortable, plump, and supple all day long.
By combining these ingredients, you’ll find that your skin becomes hydrated, moisturized, and feels as healthy as possible. Since your skin’s protective barrier contains just the right amount of water, it can fight free radical damage and quickly and effectively absorb any skincare products you put on your skin. Don’t forget, you can learn more about this in our blog post on using hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together.
What can I apply niacinamide on?
Fortunately, there aren’t many skincare ingredients that niacinamide can’t stack with. Vitamin C is the only ingredient to avoid, as the two ingredients have similar benefits and will end up competing with each other. With its conditioning and hydrating properties, you’ll keep your skin hydrated and feeling great. However, if your skin is particularly sensitive and you find that using chemical peels like lactic and glycolic acid can cause skin irritation and redness, I have some options for you that can help you get the benefits of your skin care routine without any of the unwanted side effects.
Apply niacinamide in the morning after cleansing and toning, and before applying your daily sunscreen, especially if you’re pressed for time. They prepare the skin for the day and provide it with enough hydration to protect itself and stay healthy.
You can also apply Niacinamide on other nights while you get your beauty sleep to repair and restore your skin.
Finally, there is no rulebook when it comes to layering Niacinamide, and that’s because you need to consider the formula that the ingredient is in, which will determine where it is applied in your skincare routine.
As I mentioned before, Niacinamide is easy to add to your daily routine, although you will certainly need to consult with your doctor or dermatologist and do a 24-hour patch test to ensure that the formula and ingredients are right for you and your skin type.
In what order should I apply Niacinamide?
This depends on the consistency of the product that the Niacinamide is formulated with. Remember to apply your skincare products from the thinnest to the thickest layer, as this prevents thin products like serums from being able to penetrate the physical barrier of moisturizers or oils.
The highest levels of Niacinamide are usually found in products like serums, face oils, and moisturizers. This also helps you retain moisture in your skin and creates a protective barrier on your skin, ensuring that all products and active ingredients can treat the underlying skin without interference.
You will also notice that the skin is soothed and any possible irritation or reaction is reduced, especially when you use retinol or other active ingredients that help balance the skin, keeping it healthy and happy.
Which one is better, Hyaluronic Acid or Niacinamide?
Both ingredients act as humectants, i.e. they provide the right amount of water to the skin’s protective barrier, ensuring that it is not damaged. Although they are similar, there are subtle differences that should be taken into account when using them. What I mean is that if your skin type is oily, then Niacinamide may be a good choice for you because it can effectively regulate the sebum production of the skin. For dehydrated or dry skin, Hyaluronic Acid helps retain moisture and keep the skin plump.
If you ask me for advice, I would use both, hydrating with Hyaluronic Acid first and then regulating and balancing the skin with Niacinamide. Your skin will definitely love it!
Can I use Niacinamide every day?
Yes, you can, as long as you don’t use a Vitamin C serum in your daily routine. This is because both ingredients act similarly on the skin and can compete with each other and cause minor skin redness. If you want to use Vitamin C and Niacinamide in your daily routine, you can alternate between them in your morning routine or use Niacinamide at night to repair skin damage caused throughout the day.
I hope this gives you a better understanding of how these hydrating ingredients work together and how to best apply them to your skin. While both ingredients are gentle on the skin, I recommend consulting a doctor or healthcare professional before applying to your face, especially if this is your first time using Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid in your skincare routine. Visit us on Instagram and join the skin chat!
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.
