Using Niacinamide & Vitamin C Together
EVERYDAY SKINCARE
Learning how to build a skincare routine that effectively targets your complexion concerns can be a tricky process. Skin type is a key factor in finding suitable ingredients to serve your complexion goals but it’s also important to consider how different ingredients interact with each other on the skin. Niacinamide, vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid – you might want to adopt every hero skincare ingredient into your regime, but not all of them will work for you or work well together. Ahead, we’ll address two powerhouse players of the skincare world: niacinamide vs vitamin C – do they complement each other, or should you keep them separate?
Benefits of niacinamide and vitamin C in skincare
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A form of vitamin B3, the benefits of niacinamide are widely lauded by skin specialists for their ability to support a variety of complexion goals.
Ideal in sensitive skincare, niacinamide can help boost collagen and ceramides production, in turn strengthening the skin moisture barrier and increasing hydration. Niacinamide can also support a more even skin tone by targeting discolouration and can regulate excess sebum production, making it key for oily skin too.
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When it comes to the benefits of vitamin C in skincare, it’s most commonly known for its brightening capabilities, but its effects don’t stop there. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C can support mild acne-prone skin by helping fade marks and pigmentation, and can be paired with SPF to enhance protection from UV rays.
Can you use niacinamide with vitamin C?
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If the benefits of each ingredient appeal to you, you might be wondering, can you use vitamin C and niacinamide together? While it might sound like the pair yield similar results, they interact with skin differently. They’re a complementary duo that’s particularly popular in oily and anti-ageing skincare formulas. It’s always important to combine ingredients correctly, and there’s a few things to consider when it comes to applying vitamin C and niacinamide together including:
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Read on to learn the learn the answers and get the most out of niacinamide and vitamin C in your skincare regime.
Niacinamide and vitamin C: Which comes first?
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It’s typically recommended to order products in your skincare routine based on consistency, starting with the thinnest formulas, like serums, then working up to thicker textured products, like moisturiser. But there is a caveat when it comes to vitamin C – if you’re using this ingredient in serum form, always apply it to clean, dry skin, after face wash.
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How long to wait between vitamin C and niacinamide application differs for everyone but it’s important to give your skin time to fully absorb each formula, so 1-2 minutes is usually ideal.
Niacinamide and vitamin C: Morning or night?
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Different skincare ingredients serve your skin best at particular times of day, so while there’s no rule against using vitamin C at night – its benefits are more useful in the morning. This is because vitamin C boosts brightness and can help care for sun damaged skin, plus it may not pair well with other ingredients typically used in a nighttime routine, like retinol. Niacinamide on the other hand, can benefit your complexion morning and night.
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In the PM, using niacinamide with hyaluronic acid (HA) is ideal, because while HA delivers hydration, niacinamide can help increase moisture retention. So before bed, apply Ceramides PM Facial Moisturising Lotion.
Niacinamide and vitamin C: How often to apply?
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While you might think using powerful skincare ingredients every day will help you reach your complexion goals faster, it can be counterintuitive because some ingredients can increase sensitivity if applied too frequently. How often to use any skincare ingredient depends on skin type, formula and potency.
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Sensitive skin types can apply a small amount of vitamin C once a week, building up frequency skin becomes more tolerant. Niacinamide can be used daily.
Now you never again have to wonder ‘can I use niacinamide with vitamin C? but what about other skincare ingredient pairings? Discover our guide to using salicylic acid and retinol in your skincare regime.