Can You use Retinol and Niacinamide at The Same Time?

Retinol and niacinamide are admittedly two skincare ingredients that are the trickiest to add into your daily skincare routine. This is mainly due to both having a reputation for having quite an impact on the skin, retinol more so than niacinamide, but each requires some care and consideration when introducing them to the skin, especially for the first time.

If you are a little muddled with what the actual benefits are of both ingredients, we have some dedicated blog posts which you can take a closer look at over on The Beauty Insiders.

How to use niacinamide on face?

Skincare benefits of retinol- Why is retinol good for skin?

Hopefully, these have cleared up a few questions about what niacinamide and retinol does for the skin, now let’s investigate further together and answer the question, can you use retinol and niacinamide at the same time? Let’s dive in and find out more!   

What should you not mix with retinol?

With retinol being so highly potent, there are a number of ingredients that shouldn’t be mixed with the form of vitamin A.

• Don’t mix retinol with vitamin C

This is mainly due to the benefits each of these ingredients deliver on the skin. Vitamin C is known for its effective antioxidant properties allowing it to protect the face from daily exposure to free radicals, such as UV rays and pollutions. It also leaves the skin with a luminous finish making it best suited to apply in the morning. Follow this with retinol in the evening will ensure the skin is repaired from any exposure from everyday environmental aggressors.

• Don’t mix retinol with benzoyl peroxide

It’s considered the best to avoid mixing retinol and benzoyl peroxide, this is because both ingredients when applied at the same time with result in them cancelling each other out, rendering them both useless and unable to perform to their full potential.

• Don’t mix retinol with BHA/AHA

With the exfoliating properties of AHAs and BHAs, it’s thought that using retinol can become overly stimulating for the skin. This will often strip the skin of the vital oil it requires in the skin barrier to remain healthy and functioning properly.

Much like all skincare ingredients its best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist before introducing any new ingredients to routine, this will avoid any unwanted irritations.

Can I use retinol and niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?

You can effectively use retinol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together without any worry of skin irritation. Ideally, you want to start by applying retinol, leaving 30 minutes for it to absorb into the lower layers of the skin. Follow this with hyaluronic acid to help lock moisture in and keep the complexion, plumped, hydrated, with a youthful bounce. The final step would be to apply niacinamide which is also a humectant ingredient but can also help regulate the sebum production ensuring balance is restored to the skin. If you are wanting to learn more about using these impressive ingredients together, check out our blog post about using retinol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together. 

Can I use retinol and niacinamide at the same?

Yes, you can, both retinol and niacinamide are able to work together on the face to deliver optimal results. You will also find that both actives are combined in formulas which is often found to be the most convenient way of reaping the rewards of each powerhouse ingredient.

If you would prefer to use these ingredients separately, apply retinol first as this will help the potent product penetrate the lower layers of the skin without having to compete with any barriers formed by other formulations. You can then follow this with niacinamide to bring moisture to the surface and keep the skin barrier able to combat free radical damage.

Just a reminder to make sure you perform a patch test for 24 hours before applying it to the entire face just to be on the safe side.

Is 0.1 retinol effective?

Yes, believe it or not, even the smallest percentage of retinol can have a visible impact on the overall complexion. Retinol is a highly potent and effect ingredient that can counteract signs of ageing, reduces pore size, improves the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and gives the complexion and all over glow.

With dryness of the skin becoming a common side effect for everyone after using retinol for the first time, it is often advised to start with a lower percentage of retinol and build the skin’s tolerance.

Can niacinamide break you out?

It can, but this could be a result of the skin not benefiting from niacinamide as an ingredient, not a result of it causing any flare-up in breakouts or purging of the skin. This is because niacinamide doesn’t perform any form of exfoliation which is one of the main causes of skin purging.

If you find your skin has a negative reaction to niacinamide it’s best to stop using the product and expect to wait about 3-5 days for the reaction to subside. If you find the reaction hasn’t calmed before then, consult your GP or medical professional to find the best steps. As I have already mentioned, performing a patch test of any new ingredients or formulations before applying it to the face will prevent any breakouts, skin reactions, or other blemishes.

Can I use niacinamide two times a day?

Yes, you can, in fact, it is thought to keep the skin plumped, healthy, and glowing you need to apply niacinamide twice a day. With retinol working effectively with niacinamide you are able to layer these powerhouse ingredients together to help combat signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, and a dull, lack lustre complexion. If you still have a few concerns about how often you should use niacinamide, check out the blog post, how often to use niacinamide?

There you have it, a little information about using retinol and niacinamide at the same time. Don’t forget, if you have any questions, come, and follow us on Instagram you can find me in the direct messages. You’ll also find daily skincare expert tips, product launches, and exclusive discounts.