Can I use Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C and Retinol?
I wouldn’t blame you for feeling slightly exhausted from simply reading the title of today’s blog post. But believe it or not, this question has been appearing in our inbox, so today we plan to dive right into the deep end, feet first, and get to the bottom of the question can I use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and retinol?
If you are wondering exactly what these ingredients can do for the skin, we have dedicated blog posts in our Skin School, so check those out below for more information.
What is Niacinamide?
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
What is Vitamin C?
What is Retinol?
How to use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and retinol
Effectively layering skincare ingredients will give you the healthiest and happiest skin, but you can have too much of a good thing and can overload the skin surface if you’re not careful. The following is an example of how you can use all four of these ingredients in your daily routines without the risk of reaction or irritation.
Morning Routine
Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid
Evening Routine
Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide + Retinol
Due to how potent they are it is best to avoid using vitamin C and retinol together, but instead opt for applying vitamin C in your morning routine followed with retinol in the evening. Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are both extremely hydrating and can be used twice a day, although always ensure you leave about 15 minutes in between applying niacinamide and vitamin C to avoid any unwanted irritation.
Can you use niacinamide with retinol and vitamin C?
You can indeed use all three of these ingredients together, but the order in which you layer them play an important role when avoiding skin irritation. To gain optimal results I would suggest using a serum enriched in vitamin C during your morning routine.
The potent antioxidants in vitamin C will ensure the skin is fully protected from daily exposure to free radicals, such as pollution and UV rays. Leave using your retinol for your evening routine allowing it to work at boosting collagen production, reducing signs of ageing and helping to improve the overall skin tone. Retinol is highly sensitive and will lose its potency when it exposed to UV rays, so it is best to apply it with your evening skincare routine.
As for niacinamide, it is generally considered beneficial to use this humectant twice a day in both of your skincare routines. Just word of caution, although modern day formulations ensure both vitamin C and niacinamide remain stable enough to work together, there is still a slight chance of flushing and redness caused to the skin. If you have any concerns, it’s considered best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist before using any new ingredients or formulas.
Can I use hyaluronic acid with niacinamide and retinol?
Yes! Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are both water-soluble ingredients that offer intense hydration to the skin surface. Although they offer similar benefits, they are effective to use together, starting off with hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin resulting in a plumped, hydrated barrier, follow this with niacinamide to help regulate sebum production and restore balance. You can use them both twice a day which will keep the skin at its healthiest state resulting in any retinol formula you apply in the evenings will absorb quickly and show fast results. If you are wanting to know more about how to layer hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and retinol, check out our blog post.
Can I use retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together?
You can indeed use retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together. We have a full dedicated blog post about this so be sure to check it out.
If you are wanting a brief explanation of how to use these ingredients, here is the best way of reaping the rewards from this skin reviving trio.
AM Skincare Routine
Face Wash/ Cleanser
Exfoliating Toner
Vitamin C Serum
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Moisturiser
SPF 30 and above
PM Skincare Routine
Makeup Remover
Face Wash/Cleanser
Exfoliating Toner
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Retinol
Night Moisturiser
By alternating when you apply vitamin C and retinol you can avoid any possible side effects, such as dryness, irritation, and discomfort. Teaming both potent skin heroes with hyaluronic acid will also maintain the barrier health keeping the skin hydrated and full of youthful bounce.
What should I apply first niacinamide or vitamin C?
This may be difficult but try your best to pay attention to the vast number of articles claiming how teaming niacinamide and vitamin C is a recipe for disaster and results in the chemical reaction known as niacin. These usually contain outdated research that no longer the case with modern formulations and the different forms of ascorbic acid (also known as vitamin C) used in products.
With niacinamide being an extremely stable skincare ingredient, you have the peace of mind that it will deliver its famous hydrating benefits. As stable as new forms of vitamin C may be, there are still a slight chance that redness and flushing can occur on the skin, especially if you have a sensitive skin type.
So, with that in mind, applying niacinamide first will result in the skin becoming balanced, hydrated and allow other ingredients to penetrate further into the lower layers of the dermis. Allow about 15 minutes in between applications, your skin will remain hydrated enough to absorb vitamin C effectively. With the brightening benefits of vitamin C, it the best ingredient to use when targeting hyperpigmentation, the further it can penetrate the skin the more impact it will have at reducing any dark spots and areas of uneven skin tone.
What goes on first retinol or hyaluronic acid?
Retinol has a reputation for being one of the most potent skin ingredients. Flaking patches of skin, itchiness and dryness are common side effects to the skin when you first introduce retinol into your routine. Although these are inescapable, they can be significantly reduced with the help of hyaluronic acid.
Determining which should be applied first does come down to the product each of these ingredients are formulated in to. The basic skin rule is remembering the order of how you apply your products starting from the thinnest consistency finishing with the thickest. This boils down to personal preference with the products you use, your skin will simply love the benefits it’ll receive when teaming retinol and hyaluronic acid together.
And there you have it, a little more information about using niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and retinol together. If you have any questions, come, and follow me on Instagram!
