Skincare
Niacinamide and Vitamin C: Can You Combine Them?
Niacinamide and vitamin C are two highly regarded skincare ingredients that may provide a variety of individual benefits, from reducing...
Niacinamide and Vitamin C: Can You Combine Them?
Niacinamide and vitamin C are two highly regarded skincare ingredients that may provide a variety of individual benefits, from reducing enlarged pores to targeting premature signs of ageing, and hyperpigmentation. Both the ingredients are potent in their own ways, but can you use niacinamide and vitamin C together? If myth is to be believed, then their combination neutralises the benefits of both. That’s not true! Here are the specifics on what each component does for the skin and advice on how to use vitamin C and niacinamide successfully combined in your skincare routine. Niacinamide Benefits Niacinamide, sometimes referred to as vitamin B3 or Nicotinamide is a versatile skincare active having antioxidant properties that prevents skin damage. It breaks down into coenzymes that help your skin function properly crucial for maintaining its health and improving radiance. Due to its water-soluble nature, and ability to normalise the lining of pores, it can diminish the appearance of stretched or open pores and associated dark spots, which is why you can witness a wide range of topical formulations infused with this versatile and multifaceted ingredient. It is frequently used as a topical ingredient having substantial benefits, such as: Improving hydration Reducing post-acne hyperpigmentation Supporting against ageing Reducing acne and facial redness Targets rough and uneven texture Vitamin C Benefits An antioxidant preferred for long by skincare enthusiasts for anti-ageing, vitamin C comes with scientific support to aid in keeping skin tone and appearance even and youthful. It functions well when used under broad-spectrum sunscreen and in combination with other antioxidants, especially vitamin E. Vitamin C is a sensitive substance susceptible to deterioration when exposed to air and light. Look for vitamin C goods with airtight and light-protective packaging when shopping. It has numerous more skin-friendly properties; Offers pro-ageing support Brightens skin Reduces inflammation Diminishes the appearance of scars Targets melasma and hyperpigmentation Niacinamide Vs Vitamin C Niacinamide is a somewhat potent substance; unlike antioxidants like vitamin C, it is less affected by light and air. Formulating the product at a nearly neutral pH is crucial to maintaining niacinamide's stability and effectiveness. On the other hand, pure ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, thrives in an acidic, low-pH environment. Vitamin C and niacinamide only produce the unwanted by-product – nicotinic acid when mixed for a lengthy period in a high-temperature setting. That temperature is higher than you'd typically encounter at home, such as leaving a box of skin care products in the sun for a few days. It's also pivotal to note that this worry only pertains to pure vitamin C and not any of its numerous other forms, including ascorbyl glucoside, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate. Can You Use Vitamin C and Niacinamide Together The good news is that you can combine niacinamide-containing products in your skincare with vitamin C-containing products. You can either choose a product formulated with both or apply one followed by the other; for example; a vitamin C and niacinamide serum will suffice. Niacinamide and vitamin C interact differently with the skin when combined. Combining niacinamide and pure vitamin C (ascorbic or l-ascorbic acid) is all right, as daily applications of these potent components do not include the conditions that result in nicotinic acid. This duo is complementary and supremely popular in anti-ageing skincare formulations and can offer synergistic benefits to the skin. Benefits of Mixing Niacinamide with Vitamin C Skin that bears niacinamide can noticeably reduce the look of wrinkles, enlarged pores, and lacklustre, while vitamin C protects it from environmental stresses and minimises dullness as a powerful antioxidant. It further lessens the signs of ageing. These components may work as a potent team to combat uneven skin tone, wrinkles, dullness, and loss of firmness. You can get a complexion that gradually gets visibly younger-looking, luminous, more even, and smoother, regardless of whether you have sensitive, oily, combination, or dry skin. That makes combining vitamin C and niacinamide together safe and likely to revitalise the skin’s appearance. How to Layer Vitamin C and Niacinamide? Generally, what you can do; First, cleanse your skin properly and let it dry. Then apply vitamin C serum and niacinamide product in the end. This is what the common practice suggests. However, there is no universal way of layering vitamin C and niacinamide. You must take a skincare expert’s advice as the way of layering changes with the skin and product’s formulations. For optimal absorption, you can apply the “thinnest to thickest” idea as a rule of thumb to maximise results. You must be aware of your skin type, before applying any skincare ingredient or trying any new combination to stop it from reacting uncertainly. Start with lower-concentration products and gradually increase them to build your skin's tolerance for that skincare active. Also Read: Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid: The Better Choice for Your Skin Niacinamide or Vitamin C: What Goes First? It’s not a bad idea to start with the thin-textured product followed by a thicker formula. It allows your skin to absorb products swiftly with less hassle. If your vitamin C product has a thinner texture, apply it first. In the morning, it can prevent oxidative stress on the skin caused by pollutants. While, when used at night, it restores the depleted vitamin C concentration caused by solar radiation. Should you be seeking a niacinamide and vitamin C serum, the below-recommended products are for you; Radiance 3D - 10% Niacinamide serum DRSQ’s Radiance 3D contains 10% niacinamide (vitamin B3) infused with ultra-low weight hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA. It may benefit your skin by reducing facial redness, irritated skin, congestion, and pigmentation, and promoting skin clarity, brightness, and vitality. It is a potent boosting radiance serum that comes with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. You can find it driving helpful results in preventing hyperpigmentation and acne scars, leading to more rejuvenated and younger-looking skin. Ultra C - 25% Vitamin C Serum + 15% Peptide To get yourself a boost of vitamin C, you can try Ultra C serum. It has 10% ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate – a highly stable, oil-soluble derivative of vitamin C that is committed to its ability to penetrate the skin deeper. This serum is formulated with skin-transformative ingredients 15% Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum), magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and 10% active peptides that can protect the skin against sun damage, target discolouration, and promote collagen synthesis. How Long To Wait After Vitamin C Before Niacinamide? It is a good practice to let your skin absorb the first product before applying the second one, but not necessary. If you are willing to give your product an ample opportunity to dry out even slightly, it becomes easier to apply the next one. However, this practice does not create a major difference in their benefits. Waiting for 10-15 minutes is not something most dermatologists would vouch for. How Often Can I Use Niacinamide and Vitamin C Together? Niacinamide is safe to apply every day and vitamin C two to three times a week if your skin is normal to combination types and can cope with them. Moreover, discipline is ideal to reach your skincare goals better and faster. But it is not about niacinamide or vitamin C only. You must check with the other ingredients in the products as they may or may not interact well with your skin type. Sensitive skin types can begin with vitamin C once a week and niacinamide daily. This helps their skin adjust to the product more effectively. Potential Side Effects, If Any: Even if your skin care products contain most people’s favourite ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide, your skin may not react well. It is not always the skin type, but genes, environmental conditions, and your hormones too that decide the ingredient's adaptibility to your skin. This is why it's safe to perform a patch test and watch out for any indications of a possible adverse reaction. The most frequent reaction to using niacinamide and vitamin C together can be skin inflammation. Any redness, discolouration, itching, or stinging during the patch test indicates that the product is not getting along with your skin. It is advised to cease using that skincare or beauty product immediately and consult a dermatologist for the best advice for your welfare. The Final Verdict Niacinamide and vitamin C can be combined, in fact, these two are one of the most beneficial combinations reaping numerous perks. However, it's best to conduct a patch test beforehand and a dermatologist should always be consulted before adopting a new skincare regimen so you don’t end up getting reactions or cancelling up the benefits by using niacinamide and vitamin C in a wrong routine. References Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 48(1), 1–19Cosmetics Science JournalDermatologic Therapy, 20(5), 349–359Contact Dermatitis Journal, 60(1), 1–12Dermatologic Surgery, 31(7), 814–81
Niacinamide for Skin: The Ultimate Guide
Niacinamide is a potent skincare ingredient with numerous benefits for various skin concerns. It is highly effective and offers a...
Niacinamide for Skin: The Ultimate Guide
Niacinamide is a potent skincare ingredient with numerous benefits for various skin concerns. It is highly effective and offers a wide range of advantages, such as: Protecting against moisture loss and promoting hydration Reducing the signs of aging, that are, wrinkles and fine lines Shrinking down the large pores Preventing skin discolourations due to sun damage Unlike the other skincare ingredients including vitamin C and salicylic acid, niacinamide is known to cover multiple skincare concerns. It also helps in treating acne and eczema. What is Niacinamide? Niacinamide, nicotinamide, or vitamin B3 is a staple in the skincare industry and serves as an essential skincare ingredient. It is a vitamin that is water soluble and works effectively for various skin care concerns, including ageing, skin spots, acne, sun damage, dullness, and inflammation. Dermatologists recommend niacinamide for hyperpigmentation and dark spots, as it reduces melanin in the skin. It also increases the production of ceramides by improving the barrier function of the skin, making it younger-looking. Furthermore, it minimises the pores by regulating sebum production, repairs past damages, and provides strength to the skin. How Niacinamide Works on Skin? Ranging for multiple skin concerns and types, niacinamide normally suits all skin types. So, that makes it a functional ingredient to get added to everyone’s routine.Before it provides major benefits to the skin, niacinamide needs some processing. After its application on the skin, it is broken down into a vitamin B form so the skin cells can use it. The coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a vitamin B form that imparts niacinamide’s good effects on the skin. Let’s explore the major benefits of niacinamide: Reduces Pores Large pores are a common skin concern affecting millions of people worldwide, irrespective of gender and age. While they enlarge due to a variety of reasons, genes contribute largely when it comes to your pore size. Niacinamide may help you to reduce the pore size though nothing has been proven to do it accurately yet. It may affect the pore lining by reducing it when applied consistently followed by a strict routine. When the skin produces too much oil, it clogs pores making them look larger, affecting the appearance of the skin. Sometimes, the sun also damages the skin to appear like an “orange peel.” Niacinamide works amazingly in controlling this damage thus, reducing pore size. Hydrates Skin Loss of moisture can result in some serious skin concerns, including fine lines and itchiness. Using niacinamide can help with restoring lost moisture. Dehydrated skin looks flaky, rough, and dull. Skin needs lipids or specifically ceramides in order to maintain the moisture barrier of the skin. A strong moisture barrier helps to prevent the evaporation of water from the skin and retains it.Skin with good moisture looks beautiful and healthy, glowing and hydrated. The other popular moisturiser ingredients such as cholesterols and glycerine combine well with niacinamide to provide effective results. Fights Inflammation Niacinamide has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness and calm irritated or damaged skin, and that’s why it is used as an active ingredient in anti-acne treatment. Adding to its anti-inflammatory benefits, it also repairs the protective outer layer of the skin, the stratum corneum. If you are dealing with irritated skin caused by glycolic acid or retinol, which are strong exfoliants, you can take solace in niacinamide. Helps With Discoloration Melanin, the pigment that determines our skin color, can sometimes become unevenly distributed, resulting in an uneven skin tone. This can be caused by various factors such as hormonal changes, UV radiation, and the aging process. Niacinamide could be highly effective in combatting skin pigmentation. Niacinamide controls the activity of an enzyme, tyrosinase which is responsible for the synthesis of melanin in the skin. This overall helps with uneven skin texture and tone, and hyperpigmentation, giving smooth and bright skin. In addition to niacinamide, there are other ingredients like vitamin C, bakuchiol, and retinol that help with discolouration and can be used with niacinamide to have maximum benefits. How to Use Niacinamide? Niacinamide requires a sustained commitment and consistent incorporation into your skincare regimen. Choosing the right niacinamide-containing product is the primary challenge. Incorporating a leave-on niacinamide product, such as moisturisers, toners, or serums, into your skincare routine twice daily is considered an excellent and highly effective approach.Here’s how one can use niacinamide to avail its advantages for the skin; Choose a niacinamide serum with an optimal range (2-10%) to avail most benefits.DRSQ’s niacinamide serum provides a 3D radiance to the skin and anti-inflammatory benefits. This serum has 10% of niacinamide with hyaluronic acid. Give it a try to give your skin a rejuvenated and youthful look. Begin with cleansing your face with a mild cleanser. Follow up with a suitable toner. Use an exfoliant for the best results. Take a little amount of your niacinamide-based serum, and apply it on your face and neck evenly. A gentle massage is recommended until the product gets absorbed. Apply your favorite moisturiser. End your routine with an SPF. To avoid any bad reactions, a patch test is highly recommended for any of the niacinamide serums. Side Effects People with sensitive skin might react to high concentrations of Niacinamide. Therefore a patch test is always recommended. One might face a flushing effect, that is, redness of the skin, especially in sensitive areas, including around the eye, nose, and cheeks. Furthermore, burning and itching can cause irritation. Redness is considered as the most common side effect of niacinamide. The tingling sensation can also be felt. Another common side effect is dryness. If your skin is sensitive, already, and you feel tightening of the skin followed by the uncomfortness, then use a moisturiser. Try to use products that regulate oil production on your skin.Acne-prone people may also have to deal with breakouts, and it is advised to stop the niacinamide use immediately if it is causing irritation. How Long Does Niacinamide Take to Work? Nothing works overnight. You will have to be patient. Niacinamide is recommended twice a day, and you can expect results in about two to four weeks. The effectiveness of niacinamide also depends upon its concentration, and severity of your skin concerns. Consistency is the key! Wrap-up Offering a versatile bunch of results for the skin, niacinamide may enhance the overall skin condition if used religiously. Being suitable for all skin types, it is a popular choice of a variety of skincare products. Don’t expect your skin to become poreless, but it may shrink the pore size. Niacinamide can be by your side while fighting acne scars and hyperpigmentation.
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?
Imperfections are cool, but sometimes, they hinder that perfect appearance. And that’s the moment when you wish to do away...
How to Get Rid of Dark Circles Under Your Eyes?
Imperfections are cool, but sometimes, they hinder that perfect appearance. And that’s the moment when you wish to do away with these imperfections, especially if they reside under your eyes. Getting dark circles under the eyes is a common phenomenon. Thanks to our lifestyle, eating and sleeping habits, this is ever-increasing trouble. If you are trying to get rid of the unwanted dark circles under your eyes, you must have tried a lot of eye serums and eye creams already. But did you try some natural products and hacks to get rid of these imperfections under your eyes? Here are some really cool tips and tricks that may help you get your flawless skin back naturally without even breaking your bank: Use Natural Products: Cucumbers are known as natural cold compresses and they work wonders. You can take thin slices of cucumbers and refrigerate them for 30 minutes. Bring them out and keep them on your eyes for just 10 minutes. Follow this by washing your eyes with warm water. Try out this cucumber juice method which works wonders. Mix equal amounts of cucumber juice and lemon juice and use a cotton ball to apply it under the eyes. Make sure the lemon juice stays away from the eyes. Leave this mixture for about 15 minutes and then clean it up with warm water. If you could get some tomato juice easily, mix it with equal parts of lemon juice and apply it under the eyes with the cotton ball. This has to be left for about 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Even potatoes could be an effective way to get rid of dark circles under the eyes. They are a great source of Vitamin C. All you need to do is grate some potatoes and extract their juice. Take a cotton ball or makeup remover and soak it in the juice. Keep this on your eyes for about 10 minutes and rinse it with warm water. You can get a lot of benefits out of dairy products as well that contain Vitamin A. Take cold milk and soak a cotton ball in it. Apply the milk using the cotton ball under your eyes and let it set for around 10 minutes. Wash it off with warm water. This could be done twice a day for better results. Take some orange juice and add a few drops of glycerin into it. This solution can be applied to your eyes and you will get rid of dark circles in a very short period of time. Do it for 10 minutes a day and wash it off with warm water. You can use some turmeric solution to get rid of dark circles. Mix a small portion of turmeric powder with some pineapple juice and create a thick paste. You can apply this directly under your eyes, making sure it stays there for about 10 minutes. Use a warm, damp cloth to remove the paste and wash it with warm water if you want. Lifestyle and Eating Habits: Get good sleep at night. One of the biggest reasons why people get dark circles under their eyes is that they do not get enough sleep. You need to make sure you get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep at night and keep away your smartphone at least half an hour before you sleep. Drink lots of water. You get dark circles under the eyes if you do not drink enough water in a day. Do away with your drinking and smoking habits. Even these habits have a big hand in blemishing your beauty and they can create dark circles under the eyes. Follow a regular exercise regime. You can do Yoga and meditation as well to get better skin, devoid of any issues. Doctor’s Advice: Get assistance from a skin specialist and go for natural eye creams for dark circles. Some natural products like Eye Balm for Deeper Lines and saggy skin by DRSQ are really good for your skin. Even products like Snap 8 Peptide and Eye Cream for Dark Circles can help you get rid of those dark circles without much effort. Try out these smart tips to get rid of those dark circles under your eyes and do come back with your experiences.
Fresh Fruit Facials for Healthy Skin
Over the years of researching and experimenting with natural ingredients to help with my skin, I have amassed a virtual...
Fresh Fruit Facials for Healthy Skin
Over the years of researching and experimenting with natural ingredients to help with my skin, I have amassed a virtual recipe box of facials and masks that can be done using fresh fruits. As there are many of you out there that could benefit from this knowledge, I have decided to share my insights. Peach Facial: One of my favorites is the peach facial, which works very well as a tightening mask. Simply take a ripened peach, and remove the skin and the pit from the center. Place the peach and the whites from a single egg in a blender, and whip until smooth. Pat the mixture onto your face, and allow it to sit there for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Apple Mask: I have found that the apple mask is very good for normal skin. Peel, core, and quarter an apple. Chop the apple in your blender, and add two tablespoons of honey. Blend until smooth. Then remove the mixture from the blender, and refrigerate for approximately 10 minutes. Apply the mixture to your face using a patting motion, and be sure to pat until the honey becomes tacky. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, and rinse with warm water. Strawberry Mask: I have also had great success with a Strawberry mask . The trick here is to use extremely ripe Strawberries. Add approximately ½ cup of strawberries and a ¼ cup of cornstarch to the blender, and mix until smooth. Apply the mixture to your face, and be careful to avoid the area around your eyes. Leave it on for 30 minutes, and rinse it off with cool water. Tomato & Lemon Facial: The next facial mask is excellent for blemished skin. Chop a ripened tomato into small pieces, and place it in your blender. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice and some instant oatmeal or rolled oats. Mix until it is all combined. Do not mix for too long, as it will not stick to your face. If it gets too thin, simply add more oatmeal. Apply the mixture, and leave it on for 10 minutes. Scrub it off using a warm, wet cloth. Avocado Mask: A mashed avocado is also amazing for your skin and super easy to make/apply! There are many different ways to care for your skin, and as many different products on the market. Try to avoid products that have heavy perfumed scents or appear to use poor quality ingredients. While you decide on the best products for your skin care, utilise these all natural fruit facials. I hope you enjoy them.