How To Combine Niacinamide with Salicylic Acid?
Everyone recognizes the effectiveness of niacinamide and salicylic acid in addressing various problems on the skin, but when these two chemicals are combined, it can often be a little intimidating. Attempting to find a potent combination of ingredients that have a combined effect without causing any sort of irritation or response. Taking this into account, let’s get right into it and learn more about how to utilize niacinamide and salicylic acid together.
However, before we become stuck in, we’ll rememorize the components of this formula and how they affect the skin.
What is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is one of the most popular BHA’s in various skincare products and is naturally derived from willow bark, but it can be imbued with synthetic means. With its capacity to permeate through the lipid layers of the skin while simultaneously removing the outer layer of dirt, bacteria, and trash, it exfoliates the inner layer of the skin. With the increasing popularity of salicylic acid, it’s now recognized as an ingredient that is soluble in oil, this attribute is beneficial to those with oily and blemish-prone skin.
What is Niacinamide?
A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide functions in a similar manner to the popular hyaluronic acid with its hydrating properties. It’s capable of drawing water from the surroundings and locking it into the skin, this results in a hydrated, flabby and young appearance. Additionally, it possesses a unique attribute that allows for the regulation of the natural production of sebum in the skin.
Is it possible to combine niacinamide with salicylic acid?
You’re undoubtedly capable! Actually, it’s been hypothesized that combining both ingredients together creates a powerful dúo that combats frequent breakouts. While salicylic acid is effective at cleaning pores and regulating the production of sebum, niacinamide can also help to strengthen the skin’s barrier by increasing hydration, it will also regulate the release of free radical damage from the skin.
Other individuals who are prone to blemishes will reap the benefits of this teaming combination. Since salicylic acid is a BHA, it can also be employed to further reduce the size of pores via the fact that it is soluble in oil. This is a great method for thoroughly cleaning the skin if your doctor has approved of it, it’s one of the few ingredients that can easily reach the deeper layers of the skin. Combining it with niacinamide that not only functions as a humectant that helps the skin have a significant boost in hydration, but it can also help the barrier remain flexible, smooth and increase its resilience.
Should I begin with niacinamide or with salicylic acid?
When considering which acid should be applied first, niacinamide or salicylic acid, it is believed that the first application of niacinamide serum will lead to the skin’s barrier being fully functional with no signs of damage, this will allow the skin to quickly absorb salicylic acid while also targeting any blemishes, this will lead to a sense of comfort because of the humectant properties of the serum that will keep the skin fully hydrated.
How do you employ salicylic acid and niacinamide?
When combined, these ingredients are often incorporated into skincare products that are applied following the final stage of your routine, such as serums and moisturisers. This will benefit your skin additionaly, as this will lead to both ingredients residing on your skin for a longer period of time, this will allow the magic to happen.
This also involves considering the consistency of the products containing the ingredients; this will determine when you should utilize them in your regular routine. The general approach is to utilize your products from the thinnest to the most thick, so you will first utilize face cleansers, toners, serums, face oil, and finally SPF.
Which acid is more effective in treating acne: niacinamide or salicylic?
It may appear to be perplexing because each ingredient is capable of providing the same skin benefits, but each ingredient has their own unique properties, the most significant difference is the way they operate. By this I mean how they can effectively work on different layers of the skin, and although salicylic acid is unable to promote hydration, it can nonetheless remove the barrier of dead cells on the surface that often prevent the moisturizer or serum from reaching the areas of concern. All of it ultimately boils down to the fact that not one ingredient is more effective than the other, but they actually provide the most beneficial results to the skin when combined.
Can niacinamide be incorporated into aHA?
Absolutely, when augmenting your routine with an AHA or BHA, you must remain cognizant of the increased risk of chemical-induced dry skin when using any form of exfoliant. Of course, there are some AHAs and BHAs that have a more detrimental effect than others, the most potent of which are glycolic acid and salicylic acid. It’s typically best to conduct a patch test first before applying the product to the entire skin in order to avoid any adverse reactions that are unwanted. You must also follow the instructions found on the packaging; using AHAs and BHAs incorrectly can lead to flaking, dehydration, redness, and discomfort in the skin.
This is the time when niacinamide will enter into the equation in order to ensure the skin is hydrated and enjoyable. With the humectant traits I’ve already spoken about, the skin’s barrier will be maintained in a plumped state and appear healthy, additionally, it will be able to function to its full potential, repairing any damage to the skin and preventing any additional exposure to harmful free radical damage, such as ultraviolet light, pollution, and other environmental adversaries.
Is it possible to utilize niacinamide on a daily basis?
You can’t simply utilize niacinamide on a daily basis, but you can do so twice. Because of its multi-tasking abilities and the fact that it is safe for all skin types, applying niacinamide twice daily will lead to the greatest degree of hydration, health, and happiness in complexion. Additionally, you will discover that the skin has the appropriate moisture levels when applied to various products, this will lead to a greater degree of absorption and a quicker return of results.
Is it possible to utilize salicylic acid on a daily basis?
This is primarily dependent on your skin type, as salicylic acid typically causes dry skin. However, if you’ve actually implemented this BHA into your routine and developed the correct amount of tolerance, using salicylic acid every day should be without issue.
Now you should have a greater understanding of how to employ niacinamide and salicylic acid together, don’t forget if you want to learn more about combining both powerful chemicals in your daily regimen, you can visit our dedicated blog post.
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