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Close-up image of Niacinamide skincare ingredient. Light, bubbly liquid with a soft champagne color.

The Dos & Don’ts of Mixing Niacinamide with Other Skincare Ingredients

Niacinamide is often an overlooked ingredient but it’s actually very beneficial for many different skin types. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that’s mainly used in skincare but B3 can also be found in foods such as legumes, grains, nuts, and fish. But what does it do when applied topically to the skin?

First of all, niacinamide can help to support a healthy skin barrier by reducing moisture loss and dehydration. It’s also proven to calm the skin thanks to its antioxidant properties, as well as improving signs of environmental damage like fine lines and wrinkles.

But when it comes to adding it into your skincare routine, you’re probably wondering how it mixes with other ingredients. Read on to find out the dos and don'ts of mixing niacinamide with other products in your regime.

02 Aug 2024

Vitamin C

Retinol

Hyaluronic Acid

Glycolic Acid

Salicylic Acid

Azelaic Acid

Ferulic Acid

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and vitamin C?

A:

Yes, you can. Both have amazing skin benefits which complement each other well when used together. For instance, niacinamide and vitamin C have antioxidant properties that can help to protect the skin from environmental damage. They can also be a very effective duo at brightening and protecting the skin. Try SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF vitamin c serum, along with SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense corrective serum with niacinamide, both formulated for discoloration prone-skin.

A drop of Discoloration Defense Serum falling back into the bottle. Text reads: Key ingredients: 3% tranexamic acid: minimises discolouration; niacinamide: promotes even skin

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and retinol?

A:

Yes, and they complement each other well. Niacinamide is an excellent hydrator that can help to protect the skin against environmental damage, which makes it a great partner to a skin-resurfacing ingredient such as retinol. Discover SkinCeuticals MetaCell Renewal B3, featuring niacinamide, to help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier whilst using retinol in your routine.

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?

A:

Yes!Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are both gentle, water-based ingredients that calm and hydrate the skin, so they can most definitely be used together. Niacinamide helps to restore the skin’s barrier, while hyaluronic acid plumps up the skin with moisture and improves the appearance of ageing signs. They’re a winning combination!

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and glycolic acid?

A:

Yes, you can. Niacinamide and glycolic acid are both water-based ingredients so they work well together. If you’re applying both ingredients as two separate products, layer the one with the thinnest consistency first and follow with your usual moisturiser.

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and salicylic acid?

A:

Yes, you can. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid that has an exfoliating action on the skin, making it an effective way of targeting excess oil and congestion. Niacinamide can also help to balance oil production and reduce pore size, whilst strengthening the skin barrier.

Close-up: A woman with manicured nails carefully drips a clear serum onto her fingertips from a glass pipette

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and azelaic acid?

A:

Yes, and if you want to reduce the appearance of blemishes and control congestion, this is a combination to know. This is because azelaic acid helps to shed dead skin cells, while niacinamide helps to control oil production.

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and ferulic acid?

A:

Yes, and by doing so you’ll increase your skin’s protection against environmental aggressors, as both ingredients having antioxidant properties. Ferulic acid is a plant-based antioxidant which can help to protect the skin against free radicals while keeping the skin barrier strong and ageing signs at bay. Meanwhile, niacinamide is a multi-tasking ingredient that not only protects against free radicals but also helps brighten skin and control oil.

Q: Can you combine niacinamide and tranexamic acid?

A:

Yes, they can! Niacinamide is commonly found alongside tranexamic acid in skincare products targeting the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Whereas Niacinamide can inhibit the transfer of melanin to the skin cells to help reduce the appearance of dark spots, tranexamic acid can inhibit the production of melanin to prevent their formation. Together, they are wonderful at fading the appearance of existing hyperpigmentation and preventing new spots from appearing, alongside evening out the skin's tone and brightening its complexion.

Discover SkinCeuticals formulations with this pair of brightening ingredients - Discoloration Defense corrective serum and Advanced Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF50, both for discolouration-prone skin.

To enjoy the benefits of niacinamide, shop SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense serum. Moreover, discover Advanced Brightening UV Defense SPF50 sunscreen, and Metacell Renewall B3 serum, also enriched with niacinamide.