When it comes to active skincare ingredients, niacinamide and vitamin C are really popular, and for good reason. They both have impressive skin benefits, some of which are considered very similar. The question is, do they work best alone or should they be used in combination?
Don’t worry, I’m going to clear up some of the confusion on the subject and explain how best to use these two powerful remedies together, as well as how long you should wait between vitamin C and niacinamide.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that has a lot of benefits for the skin. It helps the skin by improving the skin’s natural protective barrier by producing ceramides. When the barrier is working properly, it protects itself from free radicals and other environmental influences.
It also increases collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while regulating sebum (the natural oil on the surface of the skin) and sebum production.
You’ll also find that it has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, keeping the skin well protected and looking its healthiest all day long.
What is vitamin C?
Vitamin C is another very popular skin ingredient that has a variety of benefits. It has antioxidant properties and chemical exfoliating abilities that rejuvenate the complexion by balancing texture and skin tone. Hyperpigmentation and dark spots are visibly reduced, while exposure to free radicals causes no further damage.
If you’ve read any of our previous articles, you’ll notice that we’ve discussed how the idea of using niacinamide and vitamin C together is often seen as a pointless endeavor.
This is the result of some outdated research from the 1960s, when formulas often used an unstable form of vitamin C that, when combined with niacinamide, caused a chemical reaction called niacin.
This essentially caused a competition between the individual ingredients, causing them to lose their potency and no longer be effective for the skin. Modern formulas often contain two different types of stable vitamin C, which work together effectively if used correctly.
Can I use vitamin C after taking niacinamide?
Yes, you can, but in order to fully reap the benefits of vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid), it’s generally thought that vitamin C should be used first, followed by niacinamide.
This allows the ascorbic acid to penetrate the skin and exfoliate the outer surface. Applying niacinamide afterwards will ensure that any skin irritation that may occur after using vitamin C is soothed and relieved.
How long do I need to wait after using niacinamide?
When layering your vitamin C and niacinamide, it’s best to wait about 15 minutes between applications for best results. If that’s too long for you and time is a little tight, there are skincare products that have both ingredients in their formulas.
If all else fails, you can alternate between using each ingredient, either on different days or in your morning or evening skincare routine.
Regardless of how you choose to use your skincare products, it’s important to consult with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure it’s safe for you when introducing new products or ingredients into your routine.
Can I use niacinamide in the morning and vitamin C at night?
Actually, yes, but if you ask my own opinion, the glow your skin gets after using vitamin C will disappear by bedtime. With that in mind, I recommend that you use vitamin C products in your morning routine and then postpone niacinamide until the evening.
With niacinamide’s potent blend of antioxidants and its ability to regulate the skin’s sebum production, using it at night has the same effect as hitting the reset button on your complexion.
Substances exposed to free radicals and other environmental influences throughout the day are repaired and balance is restored. The best part is, all of this hard work is done while you get some well-deserved beauty sleep.
Why can’t vitamin C and niacinamide be used together?
