How to Use Niacinamide in a Skincare Routine | CeraVe
EVERYDAY SKINCARE
Niacinamide skincare has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to this ingredient’s benefits for oily skin, pigmentation and skin prone to mild acne. It’s safe to say that niacinamide is a versatile ingredient with benefits for a wide range of skin types and concerns, however you do need to have some knowledge of when and how to use niacinamide to achieve maximal benefits for your complexion. Although this ingredient is compatible with many other skincare ingredients, it’s important to do your research and learn how to integrate products containing niacinamide as part of your regular skincare regime. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about using niacinamide in a routine, with simple do’s and don’ts as well as targeted product recommendations from the CeraVe experts.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is another name for the form of vitamin B3 that can be absorbed and utilised in the skin. This water soluble vitamin has an impressive variety of skin benefits and is suitable for use by those with all skin types, even sensitive skin. In fact, niacinamide can have a comforting effect for sensitive complexions.
This multitasking skincare ingredient is also well-suited for oily skin because it can help balance out sebum production and in turn help manage blemish-prone skin. Another related niacinamide benefit is minimising the appearance of enlarged pores. Niacinamide is also well known for its benefits for textured and unevenly pigmented skin. Consistently applying niacinamide can help even out pigmentation and refine skin texture.
So, how does niacinamide work? Antioxidant properties mean this ingredient protects your skin against harmful unstable molecules known as free radicals. Niacinamide also increases skin cell turnover and microcirculation.
What kind of skincare products contain niacinamide?
Found in cleansers, serums, moisturisers and creams, there are niacinamide skincare options to suit all skin types. Let’s take a closer look at some of our niacinamide enriched formulas.
Niacinamide cleanser
Using a niacinamide enriched facial cleanser helps comfort your skin as impurities are washed away. Our CeraVe Foaming Cleanser is formulated with niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to deeply cleanse while respecting the protective skin barrier.
Niacinamide moisturiser
Niacinamide can also be found as part of a facial moisturiser formula. Our CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF 15 is a niacinamide moisturiser with added sun protection, making this formula an ideal option for daytime wear.
Niacinamide night cream
Night creams can also feature niacinamide to help comfort the skin and even out pigmentation while you sleep. Our Skin Renewing Night Cream helps fight the effects of a poor night’s sleep thanks to niacinamide, allantonin and Acetyl tetrapeptide-9.
How to use niacinamide
Now that you know the benefits of niacinamide, how should you use it? You can use this ingredient as part of your morning or evening skincare regime. Many potent skincare ingredients require you to give your skin some time to adapt, however this is not the case with niacinamide. Since vitamin B3 is a comforting ingredient suitable even for sensitive skin, there’s no need to have a gradual introduction by slowly increasing frequency of application.
How often should you use niacinamide? For optimal benefits, we recommend using niacinamide either daily or twice a day. Whether you apply niacinamide once or twice a day will depend on your skin type, skin concerns and which other ingredients are contained within your morning and night routines.
Niacinamide do’s and don’ts
Niacinamide is a versatile ingredient, but there are still a few things you should keep in mind when integrating niacinamide skincare into your daily regime. Here’s our expert breakdown.
Do: use niacinamide and retinol
Can you use niacinamide and retinol together? The good news is retinol and niacinamide play well together. It doesn’t matter which order you apply these two, as long as you apply the lighter textured product first. We recommend applying our Skin Renewing Retinol Serum followed by a niacinamide moisturiser.
Do: use salicylic acid and niacinamide
Salicylic acid and niacinamide are all good to use together. Niacinamide is water soluble while salicylic acid is oil soluble, allowing it to deeply penetrate your pores.
Do: niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can make a powerful pair. If you’re using a facial serum like our CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, layer the serum directly onto clean skin before applying your niacinamide product in the next layer.
Don’t: glycolic acid and niacinamide
Glycolic acid and niacinamide have quite different PH levels, so it’s best not to use them at the same time to avoid an unwanted interaction. We recommend using glycolic acid at night and niacinamide in the morning.
Don’t: niacinamide and vitamin C
The jury is still out on niacinamide and vitamin C, but some research suggests these two ingredients may have decreased effectiveness when applied together. We recommend using our Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum in the morning and your niacinamide skincare at night.