Layering skincare ingredients the right way will lead you to your skin goals more effectively. When it comes to skincare, both Niacinamide and Retinol are popular ingredients with great efficacies. Each ingredient helps in skin brightening, acne reduction, and evening out the skin tone in their ways. You must be wondering what if you use retinol and niacinamide together? Could the results be more effective? Or is it safe to use Retinol and Niacinamide together? 

What is Niacinamide? 

Also called nicotinamide, Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B-3 that helps in giving you radiant and glowing skin. It is one of the active ingredients found in many products such as moisturizers, serums, gels, and cleansers. It controls the excess sebum production thus preventing acne. It also helps in skin brightening, evening out the skin tone, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and also provides SPF protection for face. 

What is Retinol? 

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A. It also comes as a serum, gel, or cream. It reduces the abnormal skin peeling that blocks pores and prevents breakouts. Retinol works effectively on reducing fine lines thus preventing wrinkles. Retinol is recommended in the case of keratosis pilaris and in reducing scars and pigmentation. It can make the skin sun-sensitive which is why it is always recommended to use it in lesser concentrations after contacting a dermatologist.

Is it safe to use niacinamide and retinol together? 

As we all are very well aware not all ingredients work well together. Some skincare combos can negatively show the results. Retinol is a potent ingredient that might not work for all, specifically if they have sensitive skin types, and may cause irritation and redness. Because of its strong nature, it is usually recommended to use this ingredient alone and follow up with a good moisturizer. But, the anti- inflammatory properties of Niacinamide make it an ideal ingredient that can be layered with retinol. Thus, we can say that it is safe to layer retinol and niacinamide in the same routine. However, we still recommend using it in separate routines to avoid irritation, especially if you have oily skin.

Why is it safe to use niacinamide and retinol together? 

Our skin takes time to get used to retinol as it can cause irritation and disrupt the skin’s barrier initially. It can loosen and make the skin barrier more delicate which affects the skin’s pH level and water level. On the other hand, niacinamide stabilizes the skin’s barrier function and hydrates the skin. It also protects the skin’s upper body from free radicals. Thus, pairing niacinamide with retinol helps in achieving the desired skin goals more effectively. Retinol will help in reducing the fine lines and wrinkles and niacinamide will help in keeping the process calm and soothing and will not let retinol affect the skin’s barrier. 

Benefits of using Retinol and Niacinamide together:

• Niacinamide boosts ceramide production that allows retinol to work on the skin’s surface thus improving the texture of the skin.
• Niacinamide keeps the process calm and protects the skin’s barrier when retinol works on fine lines.
• Combining retinol and niacinamide helps in fighting the acne more effectively without making the skin feel dry.
• Both niacinamide and retinol when used together help in reducing pigmentation and helps in getting even-tone skin.
• Both work together to clean the clogged pores and control the excess sebum production, thus reducing the appearance of pores.
• Applying Niacinamide before retinol improves the skin barrier function makes the skin more tolerant and amplifies the results.

How to use Niacinamide and Retinol together? 

It is recommended to start adding niacinamide a few weeks before adding retinol to your skincare routine. This will enhance the skin’s tolerance level to retinol and will also protect the skin. You can also use Niacinamide and Retinol combined in one product, which may be more convenient. If both ingredients aren’t available in one product then it is recommended to use niacinamide serum before applying retinol serum, and if you are using niacinamide in a moisturizer form then this will come after applying retinol. 

Things to keep in mind while adding niacinamide and retinol together:

Make sure you always do a patch test before adding both ingredients to your skincare routine.

It is also recommended to go with the ease-in-process. This is a process where you add a new ingredient to your routine once a week and then slowly increase its frequency once your skin gets used to it.

If you are using both ingredients separately then it is recommended to add niacinamide a few weeks before adding retinol to your skincare routine.

Layering Retinol Serum and Niacinamide serum will help in fighting fine lines and wrinkles, strengthening the skin’s barrier function, tightening the skin, and evening out the skin more effectively.

Apply Niacinamide Serum on clean and dry skin and follow with Retinol Serum. Make sure you never skip applying moisturizer and sunscreen afterward. 

Conclusion 

Niacinamide and retinol are safe to use in the same skincare routine and increase the efficacy of each other thus helping you reach your desired skin goals more effectively. Niacinamide is a gentle vitamin that fights signs of aging, dark spots, pigmentation, and acne. Retinol is also an anti aging serum and helps treat acne & pigmentation. Combining both niacinamide and retinol will calm the process and increase the efficacy.

FAQs

1.Are there any skincare ingredients that should not be used with retinol and niacinamide?

Benzoyl peroxide, AHAs and BHAs should be avoided as they can interact negatively with retinol but niacinamide can be used with almost everything.

2.How long does it take to see results from retinol and niacinamide?

Retinol takes 10 to 12 weeks and niacinamide takes 8 to 12 weeks to show results.