How to Combine Niacinamide and Vitamin C for Healthy Skin

Key Takeaways

• Contrary to a false belief, these ingredients do work well together. We have their benefits, individual and as a duo, listed down in detail. Check out our website for more information on niacinamide + vitamin C as well!
• What factor do you think matters the most when deciding the skincare order? Keep reading this article for the answer. While you’re at it, learn to apply niacinamide and vitamin C the right way – no complicated timing required!

The Difference Between Niacinamide And Vitamin C

1. What Is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinamide, is a water-soluble vitamin that's well-loved by the skincare community. You might’ve seen a bottle of niacinamide serum somewhere on the beauty aisle!

Scientifically, it's a form of niacin that plays a crucial role in cellular processes. In skincare, niacinamide is adored for its versatility and gentle nature. But how versatile are we talking about?

It's suitable for all types of skin, even sensitive, for one. It can also be effectively combined with many other skincare ingredients; niacinamide and vitamin C is one of the more widely discussed. It’s actually this ability to pair well with other actives that makes it popular. 

Niacinamide treats multiple skin problems. Source: Nano Singapore.

2. Benefits Of Niacinamide

• Barrier function improvement: Niacinamide strengthens the skin's protective barrier. This means your skin can keep the good stuff in (moisture) and the bad stuff out (pollutants). 
• Oil regulation: Niacinamide is here to restore balance in sebum production, potentially reducing excess oiliness and minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores.
• Wrinkle reduction: Regular use may improve skin elasticity and fade fine lines and wrinkles. Who needs a time machine anymore?
• Hyperpigmentation treatment: Niacinamide can lighten dark spots and even skin tone by inhibiting melanin transfer to skin cells.
• Inflammation reduction: Its anti-inflammatory properties may calm redness and soothe irritated skin, benefiting conditions like acne or rosacea. To those wondering is niacinamide good for acne, you’ve got your answer.
• Antioxidant protection: Niacinamide acts as an antioxidant and protects skin from free radical damage and environmental stress.
• Skin texture improvement: It can refine overall skin texture. You want a smoother, more refined complexion, you get it!

3. What Is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C, scientifically known as ascorbic acid, is a potent antioxidant essential for skin health. In skincare, it's primarily used in its pure form or as derivatives like ascorbyl palmitate. 

While vitamin C and niacinamide, both being water-soluble vitamins, are popular skincare ingredients, the former stands out for its powerful antioxidant properties and skin-brightening effects. More on its benefits below.

Fun fact: Vitamin C is actually naturally found in the skin but depletes over time. So, what you’re doing by using it in skincare is retaining a healthy amount of this ingredient in your skin throughout your life!

Vitamin C helps create refreshing skin. Source: Nano Singapore.

4. Benefits Of Vitamin C

• Antioxidant protection: Vitamin C acts as a tiny shield for your face. It neutralizes free radicals and shields the skin from environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution.
• Collagen production boost: Forget expensive creams. Vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis, an important process if you want to improve skin firmness and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Brightening effect: Vitamin C inhibits melanin production. Dark spots and uneven skin don't stand a chance against vitamin C's brightening powers.
• Wound healing acceleration: Got a scratch? Vitamin C is on the case. Its involvement in collagen formation aids in faster wound healing and may lessen the risk of scars forming.
• Hydration enhancement: Vitamin C helps the skin retain moisture, contributing to a plumper, more hydrated appearance.
• Sun damage repair: It can help repair some of the damage caused by UV exposure. Still can’t replace your trust-worthy sunscreen, but it helps a bit!
• Inflammation reduction: Its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe irritated skin and reduce redness. It’s all cool to vitamin C.

Can You Mix Niacinamide And Vitamin C?

This section is for you, “can i mix niacinamide with vitamin c” searchers!

For years, beauty enthusiasts have been tiptoeing around this combination like it's a ticking time bomb. But where did this hesitation come from, and is it really justified?

The origin of this skincare tall tale dates back to some 1960s studies that suggested niacinamide could convert to niacin when mixed with vitamin C, potentially causing skin flushing. So, words spread fast that vitamin C cannot be used with its B3 counterpart.

But here's the plot twist: that study used unique conditions that don't apply to modern skincare formulations.

So, of course you can use them together! Modern research has debunked this myth. These ingredients can, in fact, coexist peacefully on your skin. As it turns out, they're not the skincare equivalent of oil and water after all.

The takeaway? Don't let outdated skincare gossip dictate your routine. You have the whole internet and licensed dermatologists to ask from!

Benefits Of Niacinamide And Vitamin C

At first glance, niacinamide and vitamin C might seem like they do a lot of the same thing. But here's the interesting thing - they actually work in different ways. When you use both, you're actually giving your skin a chance to improve in more than one way. 

Still, let’s recap the problems they can solve for you:

• Inflammation: Both niacinamide and vitamin C have anti-inflammatory properties. The former calms redness and irritation, and the latter aids in reducing overall skin inflammation. Together, they create a soothing effect that you’ll love.
• Aging: Vitamin C is well-known for boosting collagen synthesis. Niacinamide supports this process by improving skin elasticity. The result is firmer, more resilient skin that can better resist the signs of aging. Likewise, fine lines and wrinkles won’t be too noticeable when this duo comes into play.
• Hyperpigmentation: Vitamin C is a powerful brightening agent that can fade dark spots. Niacinamide complements this by evening out overall skin tone.
• Acne: Breakouts can seem more manageable when you have niacinamide to regulate oil production and reduce pore size, along with vitamin C's anti-inflammatory properties to reduce acne redness.
• Skin protection: Both ingredients are potent antioxidants. They work in tandem to neutralize free radicals, protecting your skin from UV rays and pollutants.
• Hydration: As said above, they’re both water-soluble vitamins. They help the skin retain moisture by improving its barrier function. A better-hydrated, plumper-looking skin awaits!
• Absorption: Some studies suggest that using vitamin C + niacinamide together might enhance the skin's ability to absorb. This is super helpful for your morning routine when you need to be quick for work!

Skin concerns that niacinamide + vitamin C can help. Source: Freepik.

How To Layer Niacinamide And Vitamin C

1. Product and Texture Considerations

A few heads up before jumping into the steps! 

These ingredients might appear in various products, but leave-on formulations (toners, serums, boosters, etc.) are where they shine the most. These products allow more time for the ingredients to do the necessary work on your skin.

In terms of texture, it depends. For serums and boosters, lightweight gel textures generally work well for all skin types. When it comes to moisturizers, though, oily or combination skin will likely benefit from lighter creams and gels that won't feel heavy or greasy. Thicker creams for dry skin folks; you will need that extra hydration.

2. Layering Niacinamide And Vitamin C

Onto which goes first, the one-size-fits-all rule is to go from thinnest to thickest. It’s not about the ingredients but more about the product’s texture. 

When you have to decide between two equally thick products, you can apply vitamin C first. It might work better at a lower pH and with less barrier.

Also, you don't need to set a timer between applications. The idea that you need to wait 30 minutes (or any specific time) is outdated. 

If you’re already used to the existence of both in your routine, try to look for products that already combine niacinamide and vitamin C. Many brands now offer formulations with both ingredients, taking the guesswork out of layering.

In the end, using vitamin C and niacinamide together isn't rocket science. By following these simple guidelines, you're on your way to brighter, healthier-looking skin. 

Other related topics:

Is niacinamide good for acne

Top Best Niacinamide Serum for Skin

The Difference Between Niacinamide And Retinol

The Difference Between Niacinamide And Salicylic Acid

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Use Niacinamide With Vitamin C In The Morning?

Yes, you can absolutely use niacinamide and vitamin C together in your morning routine. Both ingredients are suitable for daytime use thanks to their rapid absorption rate.

2. What Goes First Vitamin C Or Niacinamide?

Whichever is in the thinner-textured product. The general rule in skincare layering is going from thinnest to thickest, not how the ingredients will interact with each other.

But, it's generally recommended to apply vitamin C first, followed by niacinamide. This order allows vitamin C, which is typically more acidic, to penetrate the skin better before applying niacinamide.

3. How Long Should You Wait Between Vitamin C And Niacinamide?

You don't, in fact, need to wait long between applying vitamin C and niacinamide. Their effectiveness isn’t influenced by back-to-back applications. But if you’d like, simply allow your vitamin C product to absorb for about 30 seconds to a minute before applying your niacinamide product.