The Vitamin Combo You’re Scared to Try (But Should)

How To Use Niacinamide and Vitamin C

By now you would all know how much vitamin C collects praise within the beauty industry, the benefits it has for the skin are plentiful and it’s no surprise so many of you have introduced it into your everyday skincare routine. Not forgetting niacinamide also brings an impressive amount of hydrating benefits, naturally you would want to use both powerhouse ingredients.

But before you apply anything to your face, let me first take you through how to use niacinamide and vitamin C together, if done correct, you’ll be amazed at the results.

Is it OK to use niacinamide and vitamin C together?

Like all skincare ingredients, teaming niacinamide and vitamin C requires some time and effort to avoid any unwanted skin irritation or reactions. Increased sensitivity is often an imbalance of pH levels, yes using certain skincare products often feels a little like a chemistry lesson. But once you have established a good routine with ingredients that work well together, the result is an all-over improved complexion.

The question is, is it ok to use niacinamide and vitamin C together? Well, the short answer is yes, if applied correctly. The longer, more detailed answer is that due to both ingredients delivering similar results to the skin quite often they begin to compete often leading to irritation. To avoid this and continue using them both I would suggest opting for a vitamin C serum in your morning routine. The antioxidants properties found in vitamin C, (also known as ascorbic acid) will help combat any exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental aggressors that can cause damage to the skin as soon as you step foot outside your door. By the time you reach your evening skincare routine, applying a niacinamide enriched serum will help counteract any damage and ensure the skin barrier receives the correct levels of water and lock moisturise into the skin surface. This will not only help any other skincare products penetrate the skin further but will help repair and replenish the skin whilst you catch up on your sleep.

Should you use niacinamide before or after vitamin C?

As I have already shared with you, to avoid increased skin sensitivity it is best to avoid using niacinamide and vitamin c together. There are some formulations of certain products that contain an impressive mixture of both ingredients allowing you to use one product. This is ideal for convenience and time saving, but your skin type plays a role in whether you can use such a potent ingredient blend.

Instead, it is a good idea to alternate when you use them in your daily routine. For example, on the mornings you’re not using vitamin C, you can switch for a product packed with niacinamide. By alternating your routine like this you will find the skin barrier remains healthy and functioning correctly whilst showing the impressive results you’ll receive when using this potent cocktail of ingredients.

How do you layer vitamin C and niacinamide?

Before layering vitamin C and niacinamide together, it is best to first perform a 24-hour patch test ensuring your skin is happy with any application. When layering these powerful ingredients applying vitamin C first and leaving about 15 minutes in between applying your niacinamide product will give the skin enough time to absorb and remain comfortable before using niacinamide to lock moisture into the skin. By layering this way, you will give the skin all the benefits of vitamin C whilst keeping the complexion plumped and hydrated with a youthful bounce.

Can I use niacinamide in the morning and vitamin C at night?

Yes, you could use niacinamide in the morning and vitamin C at night. Both ingredients are highly effective and are able to deliver impressive results whenever they are applied to the skin. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C is the perfect active to apply in the evening as it will repair and restore any damage caused from exposure to free radicals. When it comes to applying vitamin C, it can often boil down to personal preference as many favour using serums enriched in vitamin C during their morning routine to reap the rewards of a glowing complexion throughout the day.

What should you not mix with niacinamide?

Believe it or not, vitamin C is the main ingredient that is advised to avoid when using niacinamide. This is due to the factors I have already mentioned, such as each ingredient delivering similar results to the skin resulting in an imbalance of pH levels and skin irritation being a common side effect.

If, however, you use both ingredients correctly, you’ll reap the rewards without the downside. However, if you happen to have any further concerns about how to use vitamin C and niacinamide together, you should consult with a doctor or dermatologist for added peace of mind.

Can I use niacinamide every day?

Absolutely, in fact using niacinamide twice a day will allow the skin barrier that is found on the surface and keeps the skin protected from daily environmental damage. By keeping the barrier functioning correctly you will expect to see that any signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity.

Niacinamide contains humectant properties meaning it can draw water into the skin from the area surrounding the face and locking it into place keeping the complexion hydrated and healthy throughout the entire day. Don’t forget to check out our blog post about niacinamide and how it works on the skin to find out more.

Is niacinamide better morning or night?

Since niacinamide can be used twice a day, any time you apply this potent and clever ingredient you will reap the rewards. By keeping the skin at its healthiest state, you will find your products give you the best results with an all-over improved finish to the complexion. One additional benefit of niacinamide is its ability to regulate the skin’s natural sebum production which can control any potential flare-up in breakouts, such as spots, blackheads, and blemishes. This is another reason to use niacinamide morning and night for a balanced, healthy skin.

What should you not mix with vitamin C?

Several years ago, the only form of vitamin C used in various skincare products was notorious for being unstable often leading to flare-up in skin redness and irritation. Fast forward to modern day and skincare formulations have come a long way with vitamin C no longer carry this unstable reputation.

Bearing this in mind, there are several ingredients that are advisable to not use with vitamin C as it is still known for its potency on the skin. Here are the following ingredients that should be avoided using with vitamin C but can be used within your routine if there is enough time left in between applications, or alternating times of day you use them.

Ingredients you shouldn’t mix with vitamin C

Retinol

Benzoyl Peroxide

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA)

If you are wanting to know more about vitamin C specifically and how it can added into your routine, check out our dedicated blog post.

So today I hope I have explained in more detail about how to use niacinamide and vitamin C together in your daily skincare routine. If you have any questions please come and find me over 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.

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