Can I Use Ferulic Acid and Niacinamide?

When it comes to skincare, there is one ingredient that will truly benefit your complexion with daily application, and that’s antioxidants. Loved by so many skincare fans and a favourite ingredient amongst skincare experts, there’s no denying the improvement you will see in your skin will speak for itself.

If you find yourself wondering, what exactly do antioxidants do for the skin, this next part is for you, as we focus on the two main ingredients in today’s blog post, niacinamide and ferulic acid.

What is ferulic acid?

• Ferulic acid is a powerful plant-based antioxidant that delivers a number of benefits to the skin.
• Will often be found in several foods, such as bran, oats, citrus fruits, and apple seeds.
• Known for being safe for most skin types to use, bearing in mind that if you have a sensitive skin type, you should first have a patch test on the skin for 24 hours before applying any new skincare formulations the skin. This will avoid any unwanted irritation.
• The antioxidant properties of ferulic acid ensures it can combat any free radicals, such as pollution, and over exposure to UV rays.
• By combating free radicals and preventing them to cause damage, ferulic acid can keep the lipid barrier of the skin protected and fully functioning.
• Helps to target signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles on the skin surface.
• Reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring, and dark spots
• You’ll find ferulic acid formulated into an array of skincare products, such as serums, treatment face masks, and moisturisers.
• Known for working effectively on its own or teamed with other antioxidant enriched ingredients, such as vitamin C.
• Has gained a reputation for being an antioxidant that boosts the effectiveness of other antioxidants.
• Ferulic acid can also increase the skin’s photoprotection, meaning it is able to minimise sun damage and any further damage caused from UV exposure.
• If you wanted to find out more about ferulic acid, check out our Skin School, over on the Procoal website.

What is niacinamide?

• A form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is a water-based vitamin that delivers an array of skin benefits.
• Works as a humectant meaning it can draw moisturise into the skin and lock it into place.
• By keeping the skin surface hydrated, the protective barrier is strengthened and can ward off any damage caused by free radicals, such as pollution, and central heating.
• Has the ability to regulate the production of sebum making niacinamide a highly beneficial ingredient for all skin types.
• Can be layered with some other ingredients with the peace of mind there’ll be no irritation, redness, discomfort, and itching.
• Gives the complexion a plumped, hydrated, and improved youthful bounce.
• Targets hyperpigmentation and other signs of damage caused from environmental aggressors.
• Rids the skin surface of persistent patches of flaky, dry skin keeping the complexion glowing and hydrated.
• If you wanted to know more about the benefits of niacinamide, check out our dedicated blog post.

Now that we have had a brief recap of these ingredients and how they benefit the skin, we want to turn out attention to figuring out whether you can use ferulic acid and niacinamide?

Can I use ferulic acid and niacinamide?

Yes, you absolutely can use ferulic acid and niacinamide. This is because of the unique traits ferulic acid can offer boosting the effectiveness of other antioxidants, such as niacinamide. By teaming both these powerhouses together, you are doubling the amount of protection from environmental aggressors.

You can use niacinamide and ferulic acid together in different ways, such as; 

Option One-

Layering them on top of each other during your morning and evening skincare routine. This provides protection from free radical damage throughout the day and repairs existing damage in the evening when exposure to free radicals, such as UV rays, are limited.

Option Two-

You can alternate when in your daily routine to apply each ingredient. For example, using ferulic acid in the morning, followed with niacinamide in the evening. This will help each powerhouse deliver their optimal results individually and maintain a constant layer of protection to the skin surface.

There you have a couple of the most popular ways of using each ingredient together. If you have any concerns with layering these potent antioxidants, or perhaps you are new to the formulas, consult with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure you are using the most suitable ingredients for your needs. 

What can be mixed with ferulic acid?

Antioxidants are the best ingredients to mix with ferulic acid. What I mean, is vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Not only does ferulic acid improve the effectiveness of other ingredients, but it can also help provide stability and increases the effects of cocktail of actives applied to the skin surface. This ensures the results of your skincare routine will appear quicker and remain longer on the complexion.

Ferulic acid is particularly useful to combine with vitamin C, which over time has gained a reputation for being highly unstable and creates irritation to the skin. This evidence, however, is based on outdated scientific results. With the advancement of modern technology, many skincare formulas contain a stable derivative of vitamin C and delivers results without the worry of irritation.

What can I mix with niacinamide?

Niacinamide can be mixed with all skincare ingredients, however, the most beneficial are highly potent actives, such as retinol. This is due to the humectant traits of niacinamide helping to counteract the common drying result retinol has on the skin surface. You’ll find, that thanks to the skin barrier remaining hydrated will ensure retinol will penetrate the skin rapidly with limited irritating results, ensuring both ingredients deliver their results. Other actives that work well with niacinamide are, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, and of course, ferulic acid.

There you have a little insight into using ferulic acid and niacinamide together, don’t forget, if you find yourself wanting to know more, or you have further questions, you can find one of our skincare experts over on our Instagram.