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 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.
