How to Layer Vitamin C, Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid

When it comes to skincare layering, it can often feel as though you are applying too much for your skin to cope. You can’t help but think, surely using three powerhouse ingredients can’t be good for my face? But it really is, believe it or not and let me explain starting with how to layer vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Before we dive in however, let me first refresh your knowledge of each of these ingredients and how they benefit the skin.

The skin benefits of vitamin C

• Contains high amounts of antioxidants that helps protect the skin from free radical damage, such as exposure to UV rays, pollution, and other daily aggressors.
• Fights the signs of premature ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity and loss of collagen.
• Combats signs of hyperpigmentation, dark spots and uneven skin tone resulting in the complexion becoming brighter in appearance.
• Known to give the skin a boost of vibrancy and glow whilst exfoliating the top layers of the skin ridding it of a build-up of dead skin cells, dirt, and debris.

The skin benefits of niacinamide

• Contains antioxidant properties to help protect the outer layers of the skin from becoming damaged from exposure to everyday skin aggressors.
• Acts as a humectant meaning it can lock moisture into the skin ensuring it remains healthy and hydrated.
• Any damage caused to the skin barrier is restored and replenished with the correct levels of water.
• Highly effective at combating signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles
• Has the ability to regulate the natural sebum production of the skin.

The skin benefits of hyaluronic acid

• Naturally occurring in the body, hyaluronic acid is one of the few skincare ingredients that does not cause any side effects or irritation.
• Most potent humectant meaning it can draw moisture into the skin from the area surrounding the skin and locking it into place.
• Can be used by all skin types and often used to calm any signs of irritation caused from other skincare ingredients.

Can you use vitamin C with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?

Absolutely, as daunting as it may feel to use all three ingredients in your daily routine you won’t have the risk of overloading the skin. Instead, your skin will adore the double boost of hydration from the hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, as well as the brightening properties of vitamin C. When it comes to using all three ingredients, it is generally considered best to first apply vitamin C, followed by hyaluronic acid and then finally niacinamide. By applying hyaluronic acid first, you will keeping the skin barrier healthy and hydrated. Following this with niacinamide will enable this potent powerhouse to target the sebum production.

You may also find that any signs of irritation to the skin, often caused by potent levels of ascorbic acid (also known as vitamin C) are reduced thanks to the humectant traits of both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.  

Can you layer niacinamide and vitamin C?

You can indeed, despite what you may find in outdated research explaining how it is best to avoid niacinamide and vitamin C due to the negative chemical reaction resulting in rendering both ingredients useless. Fast forward to modern day formulations you are more likely to find that both powerhouse skin heroes can be used with the peace of mind you will reap the rewards without any side effects. Remembering of course to perform a 24-hour patch before applying it all over the face to avoid any unwanted reactions.

What goes first vitamin C or niacinamide?

When layering vitamin C and niacinamide its best to apply the vitamin C first, leaving at least 15 minutes before applying niacinamide. This is the most beneficial way of ensuring that the exfoliating benefits of vitamin C can start working whilst niacinamide is able to keep the skin barrier healthy and hydrated. Keeping the skin calm with no signs of flushing or redness that can often occur after applying vitamin C, particularly if you have a skin type that is prone to sensitivity. 

Can you use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together?

You can indeed! In fact, what you may find is hyaluronic acid is able to combat any signs of irritation that can sometimes occur when using vitamin C. By teaming the two together you can have an all-over improved finish to the skin and complexion whilst ensuring the skin barrier remains at its healthiest state and able to combat any signs of free radical damage.

Should you apply vitamin C or hyaluronic acid first?

This can be down to personal preference, but if you wanted my advice, I suggest you first apply vitamin C and allow it enough to absorb into the skin. Following this with hyaluronic acid will result in the skin gaining a boost of hydration thanks to the humectant traits of hyaluronic acid, this will not only keep the skin in a constant state of hydration ensuring it is able to protect itself from daily aggressors, such as pollution, UV rays and harsh weather.

Having said that, remembering the basic rule of layering skincare ingredients from the thinnest consistency to the thickest will ensure each formula is able to reach the correct areas of the skin without having to compete with thicker consistencies. What you may find is that formulas containing vitamin C usually come as a watery serum. As for hyaluronic acid, this comes as a more gel like consistency and benefits more from being applied whilst the skin is a little damp. 

I hope now you have a clearer understanding of how to layer vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. It may sound confusing, but once you have the hang of it all, there’s no stopping you achieve your skin goals.

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