How to Mix Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide?
So you want to combine salicylic acid and niacinamide? Well, I can’t blame you, as both ingredients have an impressive array of benefits for the skin. But you can also easily use them together in your daily routine. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at how to combine salicylic acid and niacinamide.
Which came first, salicylic acid or niacinamide?
Using niacinamide before salicylic acid is considered the best idea. This is because niacinamide’s moisturizing properties ensure that the skin’s natural barrier has the right amount of moisture.
When the skin barrier is well-hydrated and healthy, it protects itself from free radical damage. You’ll also find that properly moisturized skin absorbs other ingredients quickly and effectively, allowing active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the layers below.
This makes niacinamide a useful companion when used with salicylic acid, as it can counteract the drying effects that often occur when using salicylic acid in your skincare routine.
What not to use niacinamide with?
It’s best to avoid combining vitamin C and niacinamide.
Both ingredients are rich in antioxidants and are extremely beneficial to the skin when used alone. However, when used together, their effectiveness is compromised, rendering them useless and unable to deliver the results they are touted for.
But if you want to use niacinamide and vitamin C together, you can only alternate between applying them to your skin. For example, if you use vitamin C in your morning routine, you can supplement your evening routine with niacinamide. This allows enough time between applications to reap the benefits without causing irritation, dryness, or skin discomfort.
Can I use niacinamide every day?
Yes, it is possible. Applying niacinamide to cleansed skin twice a day can nourish the skin barrier and lock moisture into the underlying layers of the skin.
Moisture and hydration are often the first to be lost from the skin, which not only leads to dehydration, fine lines, and dull complexion, but also weakens the skin barrier when exposed to free radicals such as pollution, bad weather, and UV rays. Radiation Exposure Radiation damages the skin. Signs of aging, blemishes, and uneven skin tone and texture are all a result of this skin damage.
Can salicylic acid be used with niacinamide and alpha-arbutin?
Yes, you can. Don’t be fooled by the complex names of these ingredients, it’s very easy to use them together. If you use this powerful trio together, I recommend starting with an exfoliating toner rich in alpha-arbutin to remove dead skin cells.
Then use niacinamide to plump up the surface of your skin, and finish with a serum containing salicylic acid, as niacinamide can penetrate deep into your pores without causing irritation. Now, if you’re wondering what alpha arbutin is, I’ll briefly explain the benefits of this powerful ingredient. However, if you want to learn more, you can read our blog post on Skin School.
What is Alpha Arbutin?
A lesser-known skin ingredient, but one that definitely shouldn’t be taken for granted! Arbutin is commonly obtained from plants and fruits, such as bearberry, blueberry, cranberry, and wheat. It works on the outer layer of the skin to fight signs of hyperpigmentation, reduce the appearance of scars, and prevent the production of melanin, which causes dark spots to become more pigmented.
Arbutin comes in two forms: alpha-arbutin and beta-arbutin. In contrast to alpha-arbutin, which is often considered too unstable to use in formulas, alpha-arbutin is actually completely safe for all skin types.
Should Niacinamide be used in the morning or at night? Ideally, you should use Niacinamide twice a day, morning and night. This is the easiest and most effective way to achieve optimal skin results while nourishing the skin’s natural barrier and keeping it as healthy as possible.
Niacinamide is generally considered suitable for all skin types. However, if you have never used it and plan to add this ingredient to your routine, it is best to consult with your doctor or dermatologist first to make sure you and your skin are comfortable with this new supplement. You can also do a 24-hour patch test before applying a formula directly to your skin to reassure yourself.
Which is better for acne, Niacinamide or Salicylic Acid?
Both ingredients are considered beneficial for anyone who is prone to blemishes and breakouts. Salicylic acid works best because it is oil-soluble and can penetrate pores to fight excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and buildup that often lead to acne. Although Niacinamide works very differently on the skin than a stronger BHA (salicylic acid), it has a unique and highly effective property in fighting acne-prone skin. That property is the ability to regulate sebum production.
and keep the barrier balanced, replenished and functional. The good thing is that you can use Niacinamide and salicylic acid together, an effective combination to fight blemishes and acne.
Is Niacinamide bad for oily skin?
Not at all, because as already mentioned, Niacinamide regulates the skin’s sebum production. This helps balance the skin’s surface and control sebum production on the skin’s surface, making breakouts, pimples and
blemishes easier to treat. Oily skin types often tend to apply very strong and sometimes very aggressive active ingredients to the skin to strip away the surface water and oil. This is where Niacinamide comes into play to keep the skin hydrated
and regenerate.
