How to Use Niacinamide and Retinol
Whether your daily skincare routine is a 10-step masterpiece or a simpler one, you’ll be amazed at the effects these two ingredients can have. Admittedly, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to formulating effective products, but this also adds to our confusion when it comes to figuring out which ingredients work together and which ones we should avoid.
With that in mind, let’s get started learning more about using Niacinamide and Retinol. Let’s quickly refresh your knowledge on these two ingredients and their benefits for your skin.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a powerful moisturizing ingredient that provides impressive hydration to the skin. It can draw moisture from the skin’s environment and trap it in the outer layer of the skin barrier. Niacinamide also has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that can improve skin tone, fight signs of aging, and soothe the skin when it’s red or irritated. You’ll find that all skin types benefit from taking Niacinamide because it can regulate natural sebum production, which minimizes breakouts.
What is Retinol?
Retinol, also known as a retinoid, is a potent form of Vitamin A that helps stimulate the skin’s natural cell turnover. This allows it to push new skin cells to the surface and stimulate collagen production. Your skin looks youthful, radiant, and plump, with signs of aging and hyperpigmentation significantly reduced. An important factor to consider about retinol is its high potency. You need to introduce it into your routine slowly and correctly to avoid increased irritation and sensitivity.
Can Niacinamide and Retinol be used together?
Actually, yes, provided you have built up a proper tolerance to retinol of course. When you combine these ingredients, you will find that Niacinamide has the ability to soothe irritated skin. This makes it perfect for use with retinol, which can often cause flaking and dryness in the introductory stages of your skincare routine. If you want to learn more about using retinol and niacinamide together, you can read our dedicated blog post.
What Not to Mix with Niacinamide?
Since Niacinamide is suitable for all skin types, it is a simple task to find skincare ingredients that work well with this clever moisturizer. However, you may find that using Niacinamide and Vitamin C together does not produce the exact skin effects you want. This is because both ingredients offer similar skin benefits and often compete with each other, rendering them both useless.
How Often Should You Use Niacinamide?
You can use niacinamide every day, in fact you can even use it twice a day! This moisturizer is common in many products, from effective serums to moisturizers to nourishing masks. You can rest assured that introducing niacinamide into your daily routine is an easy and effective step that will not cause signs of irritation or allergic reactions. By using niacinamide twice a day, you will not only keep your protective skin barrier hydrated and functional. Any other skin care products you use afterward will quickly be fully absorbed by the skin and start working in the underlying layers of the skin.
Can I Use Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol?
Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinol can definitely be used together. By layering these ingredients on top of each other, you can let the powerful retinol work its magic to rejuvenate the skin. This allows the niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized all day long. Although both moisturizers offer similar benefits to the skin, there are some differences. For example, niacinamide can help regulate sebum production (the natural oil in your skin) and reduce breakouts and excess oil by keeping it in balance. Hyaluronic acid, unlike niacinamide, binds more water to your skin, locking in moisture and keeping your complexion plump and healthy.
If you want to use all three ingredients at once, I would start with a serum infused with hyaluronic acid. After 10 minutes, you can apply a second serum with niacinamide and finish with a retinol treatment cream. This keeps your skin comfortable and you can benefit from the benefits of an effective retinol. Just a warning: always make sure you’ve patch tested any ingredient or formula you apply to your skin to avoid skin allergies or reactions. Don’t forget, you can learn more about using hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinol together on the Beauty Insiders blog.
Can niacinamide be used with AHAs and BHAs?
Using niacinamide with AHAs and BHAs is an easy way to combat the potentially drying side effects of chemical peels like glycolic acid or salicylic acid. Sometimes, these ingredients can be too harsh on the skin, especially if overused or used incorrectly. This can cause the skin to strip away all of its natural oils and moisture. In this case, Niacinamide can step in and rebalance the skin by drawing moisture from the air around your face and trapping it in the outer layers. This replenishes the protective barrier and prevents the skin from overproducing the missing oils that can lead to breakouts.
How can I add Niacinamide to my skincare routine?
As mentioned earlier, Niacinamide is found in a variety of skincare products. It can be overwhelming at times, but if I were to give one piece of advice on how to get the most out of this product, it would be to opt for a serum. Serums have a thinner consistency and work with active ingredients in the lower layers of the skin, typically the dermis and the areas where collagen and elastin are produced. Using a Niacinamide serum also ensures that it stays on the skin for the rest of the day, compared to other products, such as face washes and cleansers that are rinsed off your face.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to use niacinamide and retinol together, nothing will stand in your way of achieving your skin goals. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us on Instagram, and if you love skin, you’ll love the latest episode of Green Couch.