Should You Layer Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Together?

DR SABA QUTUB
Facial treatment with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid

Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid have taken the skincare industry by storm. Where niacinamide is considered an all-rounder by many skincare experts as they believe in the product for several skin concerns, from pigmentation to ageing; hyaluronic acid has the strength to deeply hydrate your skin. What if you are in dire need of both ingredients?

Combining your skincare ingredients can make a pivotal difference in your skin, and doing it wrong may end up showing some normal to adverse side effects. Before mixing or layering any of your products, you must seek proper guidance and know about their pros and cons rather than diving in randomly.

So, if you are a newbie to the skincare field who has just decided to start taking care of your skin, this basic guide to layering niacinamide with hyaluronic acid has your back.

Niacinamide: The All-Rounder Skin Ingredient

This is a form of vitamin B3 and offers several skin benefits by supporting the outer layer of your skin. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that is not naturally produced by our bodies, hence taken by the outer resources. Niacinamide is widely used by skincare enthusiasts to address a lot of skincare concerns.

Providing a range of unparalleled benefits to our skin, niacinamide is proven to be one of the most reliable skincare ingredients.

  • Helps inflammation: Niacinamide helps combat the inflammation specifically if it’s acne-borne to soothe your skin.
  • Controls sebum: It mitigates the overproduction of oily substances on your skin, that is sebum, making it easy to manage your oily skin. While using niacinamide continuously, you will not only see reduced shine on your skin which was due to excessive oil but reduces the propensity of clogged pores too.
  • Minimises pores: A lot of us contend with enlarged pores and niacinamide can improve the condition for you. Having a multifaceted approach, niacinamide prevents excess oil that further controls the clogging of your pores.
  • Protects the barrier function: Ceramides and free fatty acids are the main essential components of the skin’s lipid barrier. Niacinamide boosts the production of these elements and protects the barrier function of the skin.
  • Refines texture: Niacinamide is highly helpful in refining the tone and texture of your skin by working on the collagen and elastin production in your skin. You will witness the refined and smoother tone after using it consistently.

Hyaluronic Acid: The Deep Hydrator

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally found substance in your connective issues, especially in the eyes, joints, and skin. Why is hyaluronic acid so hyped? Its ability to retain moisture up to more than 1,000 times its weight has made it an ingredient of high regard. Being this powerful moisturising agent, hyaluronic acid contributes to skin elasticity, fighting ageing signs, and repairing damaged skin.

Glass water bottle symbolizing deep hydration from Hyaluronic Acid

Adding hyaluronic acid into your skin regimen confers a versatile range of positive effects;

  • Deep hydration: No doubt! Hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates your skin like no other skincare ingredient by retaining moisture. It makes your skin supple and soft by preventing dryness.
  • Fights ageing signs: Hyaluronic acid works on fine lines and wrinkles to reduce the visible signs of ageing and makes you look younger.
  • Calms the skin: This ingredient soothes the skin by deeply hydrating the inner layers of your skin and adding calmness. If you have irritated or inflamed skin, its anti-inflammatory properties can aid the condition.
  • Enhanced Suppleness: It acts against the loose skin making it supple and soft by maintaining elasticity. You will feel more plump and smooth skin by its regular use.
  • Mixed with other skincare ingredients: Yes, hyaluronic acid is compatible with other skincare ingredients. So you can incorporate it easily into your skincare routine, be it for any purpose.

Can You Use Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid?

If you are pondering, “can i use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid,“ Yes, you can mix niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. It's safe to use as both the ingredients are water-based and do not disrupt each other's effects. One great fact to talk about is both these ingredients share overlapping advantages and can be applied to any skin type so there are very less chances of irritation. However, if you face inflammation or irritation, contact the doctor without delay.

Many experts address the idea of mixing niacinamide with hyaluronic acid as a smart approach to your skin. By using both of them, you're targeting overactive sebaceous activity, post-acne hyperpigmentation, dryness, and many more concerns.

Benefits of Mixing Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid

Do niacinamide and hyaluronic acid work together?

If you practice the application of niacinamide with hyaluronic acid together, you can easily witness some of the visible differences in your skin associated with wrinkles and fine lines, tone and texture, dryness, and pigmentation.

Benefits of Mixing Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid

Let’s see some talked about synergistic benefits of using them together;

Beginning with boosting the hydration in the skin, niacinamide adds to the activity of hyaluronic acid. Where hyaluronic acid traps moisture from the environment, niacinamide contributes to lipid synthesis that further prevents moisture loss. When your skin has enough moisture, it feels and looks good, has the ability to fight inflammation, and soothes the same.

They both work conjointly to protect your skin's barrier and that can save your skin from being exposed to various upcoming troubles. They strengthen the topmost layer and neutralise free radicals to reduce the ill effects of pollution, sun damage, and other environmental aggressors.

With age, your skin starts losing collagen ending up looking loose and saggy. Niacinamide when used in combination with hyaluronic acid, firms the skin's surface by increasing the expression of elastin as well as collagen, two primary components responsible for supple skin.

How to Layer Them Together?

While you know that using the combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can reap so many benefits for the skin, it’s equally crucial to layer them with a safe approach. Both are advantageous for all skin types, but you cannot choose to go random with them. Knowing whether to use hyaluronic acid vs niacinamide first can be advantageous to you.

Follow the below-mentioned tips to make the best out of their combination;

  • Always cleanse first: It's imperative to have a clean canvas for the products to get absorbed better. Make your face get rid of oil, debris, and dirt by washing with a mild cleanser. This will help both skincare ingredients to work more efficiently.
  • Niacinamide before or after hyaluronic acid: You may be struggling with doubt about whether to apply niacinamide or hyaluronic acid first. We suggest hyaluronic acid followed by the niacinamide to lock in the moisture. This offers soothing effects and reduces the chance of any probable irritation. Ensure to check if hyaluronic acid treats your skin well before applying niacinamide serum.
  • How long to wait between hyaluronic acid and niacinamide: Waiting for at least two to three minutes is recommended between applying each product. This practice enables your skin to absorb the former product better and reduces the risk of any irritation.
  • Go for thinner consistency, if applying other than serums: Yes, in case, you are not using serums but lotions or creams, etc, apply the one with the lower concentration so that it gets absorbed widely into the skin. Then your skin becomes ready for the absorption of upcoming products.
  • Don’t forget to moisturise: You cannot skip moisturiser just because you have used hyaluronic acid. A moisturiser helps lock in these serums' properties and allow them to rest on your skin’s surface for a little longer.
  • Best to layer them at night: Many skin experts suggest that you should choose the “before bedtime” to layer niacinamide with hyaluronic acid. Your body along with the skin is in the repair mode and more receptive at night and the products absorb better.
  • Do a patch test: Mixing niacinamide with hyaluronic acid usually doesn’t result in any severe side effects but every skin is different and unique. You must perform a patch test before applying any of these altogether. If it irritates you, consult your doctor immediately.

Side Effects

Generally, niacinamide is well-tolerated and suits almost all skin types but some of you may experience little to mild ill effects, including burning sensation, inflammation, pruritus, and erythema. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid is present in our bodies and doesn't usually have harsh reactions when applied topically. So, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together don’t have any severe effects.

However, if you face any irritation or burning sensation while applying these two ingredients sequentially, you must know the effective managing techniques;

  • Rinse off the product immediately with cool water to remove any residue of the ingredients on your face.
  • Try applying a cold compress to soothe the burning sensation in the affected area.
  • Avoid heat and light as these can elevate the inflammation on your skin.
  • Consult your dermatologist as soon as possible, if the issue persists after trying the steps mentioned above.

Radiance 3D: Niacinamide Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Radiance 3D: Niacinamide Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

Try Radiance 3D - DRSQ's niacinamide serum with hyaluronic acid. With 10% niacinamide, this serum primarily acts on the hyperpigmentation associated with acne scarring. Where niacinamide targets hyperpigmentation by normalising the melanin production in the skin, calms inflammatory skin conditions, including rosacea and seborrhoeic dermatitis, hyaluronic acid plumps the surface tissue and deeply hydrates the skin.

Conclusion

So, we have concluded that niacinamide can be layered with hyaluronic acid. Should you wish for beautiful and healthy skin, instead of deciding between niacinamide vs hyaluronic acid, you can try using both. Coming to hyaluronic acid or niacinamide first, you may start with hyaluronic acid for maximum benefits. It’s safe to use and usually, there are no side effects. But if your skin is susceptible and you feel irritation, you must take some measures to protect your skin.

From hyperpigmentation to tough signs of ageing like wrinkles and loose skin, this combination can be your side while fighting them. Niacinamide supports the action of hyaluronic acid in the skin and works together to save your skin's barrier from being damaged.

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