How Long to Wait Between Vitamin C and Niacinamide?
When it comes to active skincare ingredients niacinamide and vitamin C are real crowd pleasers, and with good reason. They each provide an impressive benefit for the skin, with a few considered very similar. The question is, do they work best of all separately, or should they be combined? Not to worry as I will clear some of the confusion surrounding this topic as well as the best way of using these two powerhouses together and how long to wait between vitamin C and niacinamide.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that carries many benefits for the skin. It helps the skin by producing ceramides to help to improve the skin’s natural protective barrier. With the barrier functioning correctly it can protect itself from exposure to free radicals and other environmental aggressors. It is also able to increase the collagen production to help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst regulating the sebum (the natural oil found on the skin surface) and how much is produced.
You will also find that it contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties resulting in the skin being fully protected and maintained at its healthiest state throughout the entire day.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C is another very popular skin ingredient that carries a host of several benefits. With antioxidant properties and ability to chemically exfoliate the skin reviving the complexion by evening out the texture and tone. Hyperpigmentation and dark spots are visibly reduced whilst exposure to free radicals does not result in further damage.
If you have read any of our previous posts, you’ll find that we have spoken about how the idea of using niacinamide and vitamin C together is often considered a pointless exercise. This is a result of some outdated research from the 1960s when an unstable form of vitamin C was regularly used in formulations which when teamed with niacinamide would have a chemical reaction, known as niacin. This basically led to each ingredient competing making them lose their potency and are no longer effective on the skin. Modern day formulas often contain two different types of stable vitamin C that if used correctly can work effectively with
Can I use vitamin C after niacinamide?
Yes, you can, but to get the most out of the benefits of vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, it generally considered better to apply vitamin C before niacinamide. This will allow the ascorbic acid to penetrate the skin and get to work exfoliating the outer surface. By following this with niacinamide will ensure that can irritation that may occur to the skin after applying vitamin C will be calmed and soothed.
How long should you wait after putting niacinamide?
When it comes to layering vitamin C and niacinamide the best way of gaining optimal results is to wait for about 15 minutes in between applications. If you find this to be too long and time is a little more pressing, there are a few skincare products that contain both ingredients in the formulations. If all else fails, you can alternate when you apply each ingredient, whether it’s different days, or during your morning or evening skincare routines. Whichever way you decide to use your skincare products it is important to ensure that if you are introducing a new product or ingredient into your routine that you have checked with a doctor or dermatologist that you are safe to do so.
Can I use niacinamide in the morning and vitamin C at night?
You can indeed, however, if you were to ask me for my own opinion, the luminous finish you have to your skin after applying vitamin C is too glowing to go to waste as you head off to bed. With that in mind, I suggest applying your vitamin C product during your morning routine, you can then leave your niacinamide for the evening. With the potent blend of antioxidants in niacinamide and its ability to regulate the sebum production in the skin applying it in the evening will have the same effects as hitting a reset button for the complexion. Exposure to free radical damage and other environmental aggressors from the day will be repaired and balance restored back, the best part is that all this hard work will occur whilst you are getting your well-earned beauty sleep.
Why can’t you use vitamin C and niacinamide together?
As I have already suggested there are fears still circulating that you are unable to use vitamin C and niacinamide together. This is not helped with the fact that vitamin C is one of the trickiest ingredients to work with, and why finding the best product containing the correct percentage for your skin type is an important task.
With modern day formulas you’ll find that layering these ingredients together will complement each other leaving you with radiant skin that is even in tone and texture.
Is niacinamide better in the morning or night?
You can use niacinamide in the morning and night, it is just as effective no matter when you use it in your daily routine. It is also suggested that using it twice a day will ensure your skin gains optimal hydrating results thanks to the humectant traits locking moisture into the outer surface.
If you are wanting to choose the time of day that suits you, the benefits are as follows; applying niacinamide during your morning routine will give your skin the added protection needed to tackle the day with it combating damage caused by free radicals, such as UV exposure, pollution, and harsh weather. As for evening application any damage caused from the day will be repaired and excess sebum on the skin surface will be regulated.
Niacinamide is a tough ingredient and can withstand various factors that can easily disrupt the potency of other skincare ingredients. This is a bonus to teaming it with vitamin C as exposure to heat etc. Although the chemical reaction of niacin is undesirable, but not completely impossible to occur on the skin. If you find that after applying niacinamide and vitamin C you have redness or flushing you should stop using these products, however this reaction is still quite unusual. If you have any concerns its best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to give you the peace of mind that you and your skin will be happy with products used.
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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.
