Niacinamide and Vitamin C Which Comes First?

When it comes to some real beauty crowd pleasers, niacinamide and vitamin C are two of the top ranking. With an impressive number of benefits, each ingredient delivery unique and notable results for the skin. There is one slight problem and that’s the fact there is a lot of misunderstanding circulating when it comes to using vitamin C and niacinamide together. True, it is slightly complicated to get your head around, but there are some formulas that work and others that can cause problems. This is because both these powerhouse ingredients are unable to tolerate each other and will often begin to compete, rendering each other completely useless.

If you are not sure what it is I mean, check out our dedicated blog post about how to use niacinamide and vitamin C together. And as for today’s post, we will be exploring more about which comes first, niacinamide or vitamin C?

Can I use vitamin C after niacinamide?

Yes, you can, but only if you are applying each of these ingredients correctly. By this I mean you must leave enough time in between layering these potent powerhouses to ensure you are not overloading the skin. It is usually advised that leaving roughly 15 minutes allows enough time for each ingredient to absorb into the skin preparing it for the next ingredient. If you are concerned with any potential side effects, you can alternate when you apply niacinamide and vitamin C. With its antioxidant benefits enabling it to combat damage caused by free radicals I would suggest using vitamin C in your morning routine, followed by niacinamide in the evening.

What order do I apply niacinamide?

This depends on the product you decide to use that contains niacinamide. The order in which you apply your skincare unsurprising to some affects the potency and effectiveness of how the formulas and active ingredients target the skin. The easiest way to remember the correct way is applying your skincare products from the thinnest consistency to the thickest. Here is an example of how this would look when using them in your daily routine.

• Cleanser
• Toner
• Serum
• Moisturiser
• Face Oil
• SPF (AM only)

When it comes to niacinamide, you will often find that it is regularly formulated into products such as serums, moisturisers and sometimes face oils.

Can I use niacinamide in the morning and vitamin C at night?

Yes, you can, by all means you can use both ingredients together or if you are still a little concerned, especially if you have a skin type that is prone to sensitivity, then you can alternate with your morning and evening routine. There are no rules about which ingredient should be applied first, either way your skin will still reap the rewards. If you are wanting my advice, I would suggest applying vitamin C for your morning routine. Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C can brighten the complexion as well as targeting hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. It is also able to protect the skin from further free radical damage, such as exposure to UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors.

Leaving niacinamide for your evening routine will ensure your skin gains a hydrated boost thanks to its humectant traits of being able to lock water into the lower layers. This not only ensures the skin is glowing and healthy but also your protective barrier is strengthened and able to combat any further signs of damage to the skin surface.

Does niacinamide cancel out vitamin C?

The short answer is no, the longer answer however is a little more complex. This misunderstanding of niacinamide and vitamin C counteracting each other dates back by 60 years. There were a number of studies showing results of vitamin C and niacinamide when used together developing into nicotinic acid which caused a great deal of irritation to the skin. This reaction is somewhat true, however, it is very unlikely to develop in everyday circumstances, unless of course, you decide to store your skincare products in a hot oven. If you store your products correctly and use them the way stated on the packaging, you should not have any worries with irritation.

As for the idea of niacinamide and vitamin C cancelling each other out, this is mainly to do with the fact they both provide similar skin benefits and when layered on top of each other they can render each other useless. If you want to reap the rewards, leave about 10-15 minutes between applications, or alternate the time of day you apply each ingredient.

Can I use niacinamide at night?

Absolutely, you can use niacinamide twice a day. Much like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide is a clever humectant. This means it can take water from the atmosphere surrounding the face, as well as the water found in other product formulations and lock it into the skin. This is helpful for the skin barrier throughout the day keeping it at its healthiest state and able to combat exposure to free radical damage. You will also find when used in your evening routine niacinamide can repair any potential damage caused to the skin from the day. The bonus of using it in the evening is the fact that there are limited free radicals meaning it can work whilst you get your beauty sleep.

Is niacinamide better morning or night?

Generally speaking, you can use niacinamide in the morning and night. If, however, you are wanting to alternate applying it with other potent ingredients, such as vitamin C, then opt for using it during your evening routine. This will result in you benefiting from the hydrated boost of niacinamide locking in moisture into the skin and repairing any damage. Don’t forget if you are wanting to know more about how often you should use niacinamide, there is a full dedicated blog post about it that you can check out here.

I hope that is answers your questions about which comes first, niacinamide or vitamin C, don’t forget to come and follow us on Instagram for more skincare expert tips, product launches and exclusive discounts.