Can retinol and niacinamide be used together?
Believe it or not, there are skincare products that contain both niacinamide and retinol in one formula. This is great for ensuring you get the benefits of each active ingredient in the quickest and most effective way possible. If you prefer to use each ingredient in separate products, try applying niacinamide first and retinol next.
By applying the ingredients this way, you ensure that the niacinamide is able to keep your complexion plump and hydrated, allowing the other ingredients to quickly absorb into the layers below.
If you want to learn more about these clever ingredients, you’re in luck, as there are dedicated blog posts about them, which you can find below.
What are the benefits of niacinamide for skin care?
What are the benefits of retinol for skin care?
How soon after using niacinamide can you apply retinol?
The ideal time between product applications is at least 30 minutes. This allows the skin ample time to rebalance its pH and prepare for the next formula to be applied.
When using different skincare products with active ingredients of different pH levels, the pH of the skin, which naturally tends to lean towards acidic, can often become unbalanced in a skincare routine. Many people don’t realize that this pH imbalance is a major cause of irritation, redness, and allergies.
Another way to use niacinamide and retinol together is to alternate them. After applying niacinamide in the morning, it’s best to apply retinol in the evening.
What not to mix with niacinamide?
It’s believed that niacinamide should not be mixed with vitamin C. Both active ingredients are rich in antioxidants and produce impressive results, but when used together, they cancel each other out, rendering both useless. Despite this, many people still want to use niacinamide and vitamin C together in their skin care routine. To really benefit from them and avoid unwanted allergic reactions or irritation, you can alternate between applying each ingredient to your skin on different days. You can also try applying vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide in the evening. This provides your skin with a continuous supply of antioxidants that can protect the skin barrier all day and repair damage at night.
Don’t forget: If you want to learn more about what not to mix with niacinamide, you can read a dedicated blog post on The Beauty Insiders blog.
How to use niacinamide and retinol?
As I mentioned before, there are skincare products that contain both niacinamide and retinol. This is often the most popular choice when these powerful ingredients are best used together. You’ll find that niacinamide can counteract the drying effects of retinol and help draw moisture into the skin barrier, keeping it plump and hydrated. Since niacinamide is also rich in antioxidants, it can help fight damage caused by free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays, central heating, and other environmental aggressors. Niacinamide effectively keeps the skin barrier in its healthiest state, while retinol penetrates the underlying layers and boosts collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and evens out skin tone by fading hyperpigmentation.
Can I use hyaluronic acid with niacinamide and retinol?
Yes, you can, and these three active ingredients are highly effective for almost all skin types. The trick to getting the best results is to apply these powerful powers in the right order.
If necessary, you can use hyaluronic acid and niacinamide twice a day. First, apply hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture in the skin using the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid. Next, apply niacinamide, which has the unique property of regulating sebum (the natural oil on the surface of the skin). You can top it off with a retinol product at night. Applying retinol to well-hydrated skin will ensure that it penetrates deeply into the skin and counteracts common drying side effects, leaving your skin feeling comfortable and looking its best.
Can I use retinol and retinoids at the same time?
You can if necessary. However, the downside is that using retinol and retinoids together can cause skin to feel tight, dry, and uncomfortable, and lead to flaking and redness.
Retinol and retinoids are pretty much the same thing, with the latter typically being a more potent form of vitamin A found in medical or prescription products. When it comes to using any type of retinol, it’s important to understand how to incorporate it into your nighttime routine. Start by using it once a week and slowly build up your skin’s tolerance. Also pay attention to the instructions on the packaging, as each retinol/retinoid product is formulated differently.
Should retinol be used before or after moisturizer?
This largely depends on which product contains the retinol. What I mean by this is that whether it’s a serum or a product that’s thinner in consistency than your moisturizer, it should be applied beforehand. You may also find that using a moisturizer after using retinol helps form a protective physical layer on the skin that helps fight exposure to free radicals (such as UV rays) and other environmental aggressors.
Should I wait 2-3 days before switching to a new skincare product?
Yes, you can wait about 2-3 days before switching to a new skincare product. Even if the formula contains active ingredients you already use, breakouts and skin irritation may still occur due to the pH imbalance.
When switching skincare products, also be prepared for a slight detoxification of your skin. This won’t last long, but if signs of irritation persist, you should discontinue use of the product and seek advice from your doctor or dermatologist.
Here’s more information on using niacinamide and retinol together. Don’t forget to visit us on Instagram if you have any skincare questions!
