combining niacinamide and salicylic acid

How to Combine Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid for Optimal Results

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NIACINAMIDE AND SALICYLIC ACID

Niacinamide and salicylic acid are valuable skincare ingredients individually. But combine them in the same skincare regimen and they can become more than the sum of their parts, addressing a wide range of concerns. Provided you consider a few important factors, of course! Read on.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

● Niacinamide and salicylic acid work synergistically, improving blemishes, redness, and uneven skin tone, hydrating skin, and enhancing skin's moisture barrier function.

● Give each of them some space. Proper consideration as to the timing of application of each ingredient maximises the effectiveness of each and minimises the risk of adverse reactions.

● Conducting a patch test on an inconspicuous section of skin, starting out with lower concentrations of the active ingredients, and waiting for a short while between applications, are all strategies that can minimise skin irritation when using niacinamide and salicylic acid together in a skincare regimen.

THE POWER OF NIACINAMIDE AND SALICYLIC ACID IN SKINCARE

Niacinamide and salicylic acid are both hugely popular ingredients in skin care regimens.

Niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) is a form of vitamin B3 with a wide range of skin benefits. Salicylic acid, a top choice for exfoliation, helps get rid of dead skin cells from the skin's surface, and unclogs pores.

When used together in a skincare regime, niacinamide and salicylic acid can make a pretty potent combination. Improved skin texture...more radiant looking skin... more even skin tone...fewer breakouts... What makes them so special? Let’s take a look!

NIACINAMIDE: MULTITALENTED INGREDIENT

OK, what’s all the buzz around niacinamide? Well, it's immensely versatile, with the following long list of benefits when applied topically:

● It helps build essential skin lipids such as ceramides to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier and reduce dehydration.

● It promotes collagen production, visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.

● It helps regulate excess oil production.

● It helps reduce dark spots and other pigmentation concerns.

● It helps visibly reduce areas of redness.

● Its antioxidant properties reduce the visible effects of environmental aggressors.

● It enhances the hydrating potential of moisturisers and reduces the visibility of enlarged pores.

All these make niacinamide especially useful for mild acne-prone skin and in anti-ageing skincare routines. Niacinamide can be used at a range of different concentrations from 2% to 10%, with visible results usually seen after 2-4 weeks of twice-daily usage.

SALICYLIC ACID: MASTER OF EXFOLIATION

Oil-soluble salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) widely recommended as a gentle exfoliating agent. Its party trick is to penetrate deep into clogged pores and mix with the sebum (natural skin oil) found both there and on the skin's surface. There it helps eliminate dead skin cells, regulate sebum production, and remove excess oil to prevent clogged pores and reduce the likelihood of breakouts.

All these attributes make salicylic acid especially beneficial for anyone with an oily skin type or blemish-prone skin.

Having said that, all skin types can benefit from salicylic acid. Its gentle exfoliating benefits also promote skin cell turnover and improve skin texture, helping to address other skin concerns such as rough, bumpy skin, a dull complexion, dark spots, and some other pigmentation issues. The full effect of its exfoliating action can take several weeks to become noticeable.

combining hyaluronic and vitamin c serums

HOW TO INCORPORATE SALICYLIC ACID AND NIACINAMIDE INTO THE SAME SKINCARE ROUTINE

Knowing about the benefits of niacinamide and salicylic acid is useful of course, but knowing how best to integrate them both into your skincare regime is just as important. Because you can't just pop one on after the other and hope for the best.

A NOTE ABOUT MIXING AND LAYERING

Mixing together a product containing salicylic acid and one containing niacinamide—or layering one on top of the other at the same time—isn't generally recommended. That's mainly because the two are at their most effective at quite different pH (acidity) levels.

For optimal absorption and effectiveness, salicylic acid products are formulated with an acidic pH between 3 and 4. However, niacinamide works best at a more neutral pH of around 6. So, mixing the two together or layering one straight on top of the other compromises their penetration ability and performance.

APPLY AT LEAST 30 MINUTES APART

Avoid compromising on individual ingredient performance by using a salicylic acid serum first, then waiting at least 30 minutes to allow its full absorption before applying niacinamide. Remember, salicylic acid is all about pore-penetrating ability, so applying it right after cleansing makes sense. And the short break then allows time for the skin pH to return from an acidic state to its normal level before using niacinamide.

EVEN BETTER, AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY

To take full advantage of both ingredients our recommendation is to apply them at different times of day. Exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid are best applied in the evening. Its low pH requirement for full skin absorption means waiting around 30 min before applying anything else, and most people have more time for this at night.

This allows for niacinamide application in the morning. Its more neutral pH requirement matches those of most moisturisers and sunscreens and means these can be applied afterwards without waiting between layers or affecting performance.

OR GO FOR ALTERNATE DAYS

Another recommendation is to apply salicylic acid and niacinamide on alternate days, still keeping salicylic acid for night-time and niacinamide the mornings.

Remember, skincare products should be applied from the thinnest consistency to the thickest. Serums are lightweight and absorbed quickly, allowing targeted treatment of specific skin concerns when layered correctly, based on your skin type.

POTENTIAL RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS

When you first start using salicylic acid, it may cause skin dryness or irritation due to removal of too much oil. So, approach salicylic acid with care if you have dry or sensitive skin. Although appropriate for all skin tones, salicylic acid can increase sensitivity to the sun, so always apply a high-SPF broad spectrum sunscreen every morning.

Niacinamide is considered a mild ingredient and can be used daily as part of both morning and evening routines. Very few users generally experience any irritation, even those with sensitive skin. If you do experience any redness or discomfort with niacinamide, discontinue use and consult your healthcare professional.

Don't forget, if using both ingredients at the same time of day, we recommend waiting a minimum of 30 minutes between applying salicylic acid and niacinamide to avoid irritation and allow proper absorption. Using products with balanced formulas that combine niacinamide and salicylic acid can help minimise irritation.

PATCH TESTING

We recommend always conducting a patch test before fully incorporating either of these two ingredients into your skincare routine. This practice helps identify any issues with skin tolerance or adverse effects.

Apply a small amount of the product to an unobtrusive area of skin and wait at least 24 hours to see how your skin reacts.

ADJUSTING CONCENTRATIONS

Another important precaution is to start with lower concentrations of niacinamide and salicylic acid to mitigate the risk of skin irritation. Effective skin benefits can be observed with niacinamide at concentrations up to 5% without significant irritation.

As your skin builds tolerance, the concentrations of niacinamide and salicylic acid can be carefully increased, watching for any adverse reactions.

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS TO ENHANCE YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

With niacinamide and salicylic acid playing the lead roles, you can further enhance your skincare regimen with additional ingredients. An excellent support player is hyaluronic acid, the humectant hero. Suitable for all skin types, hyaluronic acid is commonly incorporated into serums and moisturisers applied towards the end of a skincare routine.

After applying salicylic acid, it can be used as a serum to help combat any dryness or irritation, locking in moisture and strengthening the skin’s protective moisture barrier.

And when used with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid provides enhanced hydration benefits and helps regulate natural sebum production, making it worthwhile for anyone with blemish-prone or dehydrated skin.

SUMMARY

So, as we've now explained, incorporating both niacinamide and salicylic acid into your skincare routine can be quite the game changer. Provided you follow the advice above on not applying them at the same time, these two can make for a comprehensive solution for lots of skin concerns, promoting a healthier, brighter, and smoother complexion.

Always remember, the key to any successful skincare routine lies in understanding your skin and the ingredients you’re using.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.

Frequently asked Questions

Can I use niacinamide with salicylic acid?

Sure can! Apart from them each addressing multiple different skin concerns, niacinamide and salicylic acid work particularly well together because of their overlapping but complementary impact on targeting excess sebum. Niacinamide reduces oil on your skin's surface while salicylic acid penetrates pores to regulate oil production from within. They each work via different pathways, so by using both, you can target the issue in two different ways... and get optimal results.
The moisture barrier-strengthening effect of niacinamide also makes a good hydration countermeasure to any increased dryness or skin discomfort experienced from the salicylic acid.

What shouldn't you mix niacinamide with?

Neutral niacinamide doesn't play well with skincare ingredients that work best in an acidic environment. Vitamin C, glycolic acid and the other exfoliating hydroxy acids (even salicylic acid) — all work better at a low pH, so using niacinamide at the same time can reduce their effectiveness and cause skin irritation. As discussed above, the trick to combining these in the same skin care routine is to use at different times or on alternate days.

Which is better for blemishes: salicylic or niacinamide?

Of the two, salicylic acid is considered better for targeting blemishes. Like niacinamide, salicylic acid exfoliates the surface of the skin, but its oil solubility means it can also penetrate clogged pores and perform its exfoliating tricks within. It also helps regulate sebum production and remove excess oil to prevent clogged pores and reduce the likelihood of breakouts occurring.

What is the best combination with salicylic acid?

Niacinamide makes a great skincare partner with salicylic acid, provided some basic application considerations are taken into account (see above) Together, they target a range of different concerns and in some, enhance the benefits of each other.
Salicylic acid can also be combined with the powerful antioxidant vitamin C, to minimise breakouts in oily or blemish-prone skin, and at the same time protect the skin from the ageing effects of free radicals.

How should I incorporate niacinamide and salicylic acid into my skincare routine?

Conduct a patch test of each new product to begin with, and commence at lower concentrations and frequency before building these up as your skin develops its tolerance.
If applying the two ingredients at the same time of day, allow at least a 30-minute gap between applying salicylic acid and niacinamide. However, La Roche-Posay recommends where possible applying each at different times of the day, or on alternate days, for best results and minimised risk of adverse interactions.
Follow up with a moisturiser both morning and evening, and a high SPF, broad spectrum sunscreen (such as the La Roche-Posay Anthelios range) at the end of your morning routine every day.

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