How to Use Niacinamide and Vitamin C
By now, everyone knows how well-regarded Vitamin C is in the beauty world. It has a plethora of benefits for the skin, so it’s no surprise that many people are adding it to their daily skincare routine. Not to mention, Niacinamide also has impressive moisturizing benefits. Of course, you want to use these two powerful ingredients together.
But before you put anything on your face, let me tell you how to use Niacinamide and Vitamin C together. If you do it correctly, you’ll be amazed at the results.
Can Niacinamide and Vitamin C be used together?
As with all skincare ingredients, combining Niacinamide and Vitamin C requires some time and care to avoid unwanted skin irritation or reactions. Increased sensitivity is usually caused by an imbalanced pH level. Yes, using certain skincare products can often feel a bit like a chemistry class. But once you establish a good routine, using a combination of ingredients will improve your complexion across the board.
The question is whether Niacinamide and Vitamin C can be used together. The short answer is: yes, as long as they are used properly. The longer, more detailed answer is that the two ingredients generally have similar effects on the skin, but they compete with each other, often leading to irritation. To avoid this and continue using both, I recommend opting for a vitamin C serum in your morning routine. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) help fight free radicals like pollution, UV rays, and other environmental pollutants that damage the skin as soon as you step out of the house. When it comes to your evening skincare routine, using a serum rich in niacinamide will help counteract the damage and ensure that the skin barrier receives the right amount of moisture and locks it on the surface of the skin. Not only does this help other skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin, but it also helps repair and regenerate the skin while you catch up on sleep.
Should niacinamide be used before or after vitamin C?
As I already told you, you should avoid using niacinamide and vitamin C at the same time to avoid increasing skin sensitivity. Some formulas of certain products contain an impressive blend of both ingredients, allowing you to use one product. It’s convenient and time-saving, but your skin type will determine whether you can use such a potent blend of ingredients.
Instead, it’s a good idea to mix it up in your daily routine. For example, in the mornings when you don’t use vitamin C, you can switch to a product that contains niacinamide. By adding this variety to your daily routine, you’ll find that your skin barrier remains healthy and functioning properly while you get impressive results from this powerful blend of ingredients.
How to layer Vitamin C and Niacinamide?
Before using Vitamin C and Niacinamide together, it’s best to do a 24-hour patch test to ensure your skin is happy with each application. When layering these powerful ingredients, apply the Vitamin C first and wait about 15 minutes between applying the Niacinamide product. This allows the skin plenty of time to absorb the product and feel comfortable before applying the Niacinamide to lock in the skin’s moisture. By layering in this way, you’re giving your skin all the benefits of Vitamin C while ensuring it’s plump, hydrated, and youthfully rejuvenated.
Can I use Niacinamide in the morning and Vitamin C at night?
Yes, you can use Niacinamide in the morning and Vitamin C at night. Both ingredients are very effective and will produce impressive results whenever applied to the skin. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is the perfect ingredient to use at night as it can repair and restore any damage caused by exposure to free radicals. When it comes to using Vitamin C, it often comes down to personal preference, as many people prefer to use a Vitamin C-rich serum as part of their morning routine to enjoy a radiant complexion all day long.
What Not to Mix with Niacinamide?
Believe it or not, Vitamin C is the main ingredient to avoid when using Niacinamide. This is due to the factors I’ve already mentioned, such as: B. Each ingredient will produce similar results on the skin, causing pH imbalance and skin irritation, which is a common side effect.
However, if both ingredients are used correctly, you will reap the benefits without the drawbacks. However, if you have any further concerns about using Vitamin C and Niacinamide together, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist to further ensure safety.
Can I Use Niacinamide Every Day?
Anyway. In fact, using Niacinamide twice a day allows the surface skin barrier to protect the skin from daily environmental damage. When the barrier is working properly, you will see all signs of aging (such as fine lines and wrinkles), sun damage (such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation), and signs of loss of elasticity disappear.
Niacinamide has hydrating properties, meaning it draws moisture around your face and locks it into your skin, keeping your complexion hydrated and healthy all day long. Be sure to read our blog post on niacinamide and its effects on your skin to learn more.
Is it better to take niacinamide in the morning or at night?
Since niacinamide can be used twice a day, you’ll benefit from using this powerful and clever ingredient every time. By keeping your skin in its healthiest state, you’ll get the best results from the product, improving your complexion overall. Another benefit of niacinamide is its ability to regulate your skin’s natural sebum production, which helps control potential breakouts like pimples, blackheads, and blemishes. This is another reason to use niacinamide morning and night for balanced, healthy skin.
What not to take with vitamin C?
A few years ago, the only form of Vitamin C used in various skincare products was notorious for being unstable, often causing redness and irritation on the skin. Today, skincare formulations have come a long way and Vitamin C no longer has a reputation for being unstable.
With this in mind, there are several ingredients that should not be used with Vitamin C, which is still known for its benefits for the skin. The following ingredients should not be used with Vitamin C, but can be used in your daily routine if the intervals between uses are long enough or at different times of the day.
Ingredients that should not be mixed with Vitamin C
Retinol
Benzoyl Peroxide
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA)
If you want to learn more about Vitamin C and how to incorporate it into your daily routine, read our dedicated blog post.
Today I hope I have explained to you in more detail how to use both Niacinamide and Vitamin C in your daily skincare routine. If you have any questions, visit me 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.
