Is it Advisable to Pair Lactic Acid With Niacinamide?

Combining two skincare ingredients in your skincare routine can take you one step further toward your goal of healthy-glowing skin. However, pairing them effectively is imperative to get the most out of the combination and avoid any potential side effects. While you are already using niacinamide for its wide-ranging advantages for the skin, your skin may still require lactic acid to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells.

This blog will address the question, "Can we use lactic acid and niacinamide together?" Let’s see the pros and cons, if any, of combining them and achieving the maximum results of this pairing.

What is Lactic Acid?

An over-the-counter chemical exfoliant derived from lactose fermentation. Lactose is a carbohydrate found in milk. Belonging to the alpha hydroxy acids or AHA family, lactic acid is exclusively used in peel treatments.

How Does it Help?

• Known for its several perks, lactic acid increases cellular turnover to get rid of dead skin cells, making your skin bright and healthy.
• Moreover, it makes your skin thicker, tighter, and softer and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Overall, it can be your go-to solution to combating sagging skin.
• It is a good exfoliant and can treat post-acne hyperpigmentation from the root level and give you that much-awaited spotless texture. From age spots to pores, lactic acid can be effective.
• It is one of the mildest forms of AHAs making it a safe option to use on sensitive skin.
• If your pores are clogged and you are looking for an optimal solution, trying lactic acid will not disappoint you. It deeply clears the pores and removes all the sebum, dirt, and excessive oil that can clog and make them appear enlarged.
• A value-added advantage is that your skin, with the continuous use of lactic acid, will improve its health without losing its hydration.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide - a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 is a versatile skincare ingredient and is rarely found in nature. It assists in the keratin synthesis. Keratin is a beneficial protein that contributes variously to your skin's health.

Niacinamide has the ability to fix almost every common skincare issue that happens due to a certain underlying cause or a compromised skin barrier. Largely known for its ability to fade blemishes on the skin away, this skincare ingredient is widely used in serums and other OTC products.

How Does it Help?

Niacinamide takes the lead and addresses ongoing issues on the skin to rejuvenate it from within.

• It can excel in reducing pigmentation, including the ones that appear on the skin post-acne. Whether it's blemishes, dark spots, or other stubborn marks. But the consistency is required as much as for any other skincare ingredient.
• Renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide provides an invaluable contribution to soothe your skin. It can calm redness and itching in case of mild to severe allergic skin conditions like rosacea and atopic dermatitis.
• For acne-prone skin, niacinamide can become an all-time ally to combat the overproduction of oil and reduce the acne over time without losing patches or marks.
• If you have used exfoliants like glycolic acid or retinal and feel irritation, niacinamide can aid that as well.
• It aids in shrinking enlarged pores up to a good extent.
• Niacinamide can help your skin lock the moisture and keep it safe from environmental aggressors.

Is it safe to use them together?

Yes – you can certainly combine lactic acid with niacinamide and they are completely safe. They work quite well together and are often declared as a wonderful combination.

However, there is an appropriate method for doing so.

To begin with, you can try small amounts of both and test if they do not induce any allergic or sensitivity to the skin.

Dermatologists believe that combining both of them is good for your skin as they can add to each other strengths giving your skin additional benefits, including making it smooth to brighten the same.

Read more: Can You Use Salicylic Acid with Niacinamide?

How to Combine Both

While it’s clear that lactic acid is safe to use with niacinamide in the same skincare routine, but not randomly. Yes, there is a prescribed order of application.

Cleanse your skin and pat it dry. Start with the lactic acid first and get rid of those unwanted dead skin cells. As an exfoliant, it acts on the outermost layer of the skin and prepares it for upcoming products. Apply a few drops of lactic acid serum and give it some time to get absorbed into your skin.

Consider your skin ready to take the niacinamide in. It eliminates the potential irritation that might be caused due to the exfoliation and strengthens the skin’s barrier.

By applying this way, you are improving the penetration of these ingredients into your skin. But always be conscious of how your skin reacts to both these ingredients. In case of any irritation, you can change the amount from moderate to little and it’s best to consult your dermatologist before start using them in combination.

Perks of Pairing Them

Lactic acid and Niacinamide complement each other when combined correctly.

Their blend balances hydration in the skin and reduces the need for any moisturising agent. Your skin will feel plump and smoother with that highly-anticipated radiant glow. Furthermore, it hydrates without leaving that tightness or feeling of dryness.

You can use this combination to have anti-ageing effects as well. Both these ingredients work synergistically to prevent premature fine lines and wrinkles.

Exposure to the sun can make your skin’s texture uneven. Applying niacinamide and lactic acid acts from within the deeper layers of the skin to smoothen and brighten the texture.

Concerns and Precautions

Be mindful that you are using this combination for the welfare of your skin. It should benefit your skin rather than irritating it.

Niacinamide can be well-tolerated for all skin types usually but lactic acid, being more potent can make your skin suffer a little by inducing irritation resulting in redness and itching.

It’s highly recommended to take advice from your doctor before using them altogether or even separately. This can save your skin from potential damage if your skin is susceptible to them.

Here is a list of precautions that you can take to protect your skin from any damage;

• Go for the patch test: A patch test can always save your skin from upcoming adverse reactions. Take some amount of the product and apply it over the small region of your skin. If there is any irritation, you can wash it off and consult your dermatologist about the same.
• Incorporate gradually: Don't start using lactic acid and niacinamide like a pro but like a true beginner. If you are new to any of the acids, allow your skin to get introduced to it. Hence, go slow. You can try it alternatively, instead of every day.
• Hydrate your skin: If you are using niacinamide along with lactic acid for a long, you require a moisturiser to save your skin from pH imbalance and help you cooperate with these two.

Body Elixir - Hydrating & Exfoliating Body Serum

DRSQ's Body Elixir is a body serum infused with lactic acid and niacinamide in precise concentration to exfoliate and calm your skin. It cleans out the dead skin cells and provides nourishment.

This can benefit Keratosis Pilaris and ingrown hairs if you are consistent with the use.

Lactic acid: Lactic acid in this serum gently exfoliates the skin and makes it smoother with both tone and texture. It is a humectant so it attracts moisture to the skin's surface keeping you hydrated.

Niacinamide: It has niacinamide - an anti-inflammatory to soothe acne. It encourages the production of ceramides and improves the natural barrier of your skin.

Applying it is very easy. All you need to do is to cleanse your body well and then take one to two pumps and apply it all over the skin.

Conclusion

You can address multiple skincare concerns with the combination of lactic acid and niacinamide. They are powerful together, if used properly, and can show adequate results if you are consistent. From improved skin texture to reduced hyperpigmentation, this combination is good to go. While it's commendable that you are making extra effort to care for your skin, be aware that there might be potential irritation. Asking your doctor for advice before use is a smart move.