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mixing niacinamide

What Ingredients Can I Use with Niacinamide?



3 min read

Niacinamide, otherwise known as Vitamin B3, is quickly becoming a must-have in beauty regimens due to its wealth of skin benefits. Niacinamide absorbs quickly, helps to protect skin from environmental stressors, reduces excess oil production, and improves skin hydration.

Because of its versatility for almost any skincare concern and skin type, niacinamide tends to be combined with other skincare ingredients in order to address a particular need. Whilst niacinamide is gentle enough for dry or sensitive skin types, pairing it with an incompatible ingredient can potentially lead to less potent results.

Your skin type will determine which products you should use, but overall, niacinamide has multiple benefits when paired with recommended ingredients. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of pairing niacinamide.

dermatologist

HOW DOES NIACINAMIDE WORK?


Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help lock in moisture to minimise the impact of environmental skin stressors. Niacinamide helps your skin to maintain its ceramide (lipid) barrier to retain moisture. It can also help reduce redness, refine pore size and regulate sebum production.

using niacinamide with other ingredients

WHICH INGREDIENTS CAN YOU MIX WITH NIACINAMIDE?

Niacinamide can be used alongside other ingredients for optimal results. This multi-ingredient approach to skincare is important because as beneficial as niacinamide is for skin, it’s not the only ingredient your skin needs to look and feel its best.


Mixing niacinamide with recommended ingredients can result in tackling multiple skin concerns efficiently.


So, what can you use with niacinamide? Below are five ingredients that pair best, as well as recommended La Roche-Posay products containing niacinamide.


hyaluronic acid serum

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it draws moisture from its surroundings and holds onto it. You can pair niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together as part of your skincare routine, as both are water-based ingredients. A hyaluronic acid product like Hyalu B5 serum should be applied first to hydrate and replenish the skin. Niacinamide should be applied second to help keep moisture in the skin as well as manage excess sebum production.

using retinol and niacinamide

BENZOYL PEROXIDE?

Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most common ingredients in skincare products, designed to help target blemishes. Using benzoyl peroxide with niacinamide is beneficial, as niacinamide helps balance out oil production, support the natural skin barrier, whilst benzoyl peroxide will help oxygenate the pores and manage bacteria.


RETINOL

Retinol is an over-the-counter type of retinoid derived from Vitamin A, which can help with blemishes, signs of ageing and hyperpigmentation. Can you use niacinamide with retinol? Yes, you can. Niacinamide is a gentle skincare ingredient that reaps similar benefits to retinol, although retinol is more potent. Pairing the two ingredients can make retinol easier to use. Niacinamide helps hydrate the skin, which reduces the dryness sometimes associated with retinol.

combination skin

GLYCOLIC ACID

Using niacinamide with glycolic acid is not recommended. Niacinamide has a high pH level, whereas acids have low pH levels. When mixed, niacinamide will increase the pH levels of glycolic acid, making it less effective and hindering absorption into the skin. 

VITAMIN C

Can you combine the benefits of Vitamin C with niacinamide? The answer varies. Niacinamide has the potential to affect the integrity of Vitamin C, making it less potent. When combined, this may cause a chemical discolouration of the product – which is why it’s recommended to apply both separately, and at alternate times of the day. 

retinol for acne

RECOMMENDED SKINCARE PRODUCTS

To integrate niacinamide into your skincare regime, follow our product recommendations and application tips for your skin.

Effaclar Duo+M Anti-Imperfections Moisturiser:

If you have sensitive skin that tends to be oily or prone to breakouts, try our Effaclar Duo (+) Anti-Acne Moisturiser. Niacinamide, procerad and mannose work to help brighten skin, prevent marks and stimulate cellular turnover.

How to apply: After cleansing, apply a thin layer of moisturiser to the whole face every morning and evening.

Toleriane Sensitive Facial Moisturiser:

Another beneficial product for sensitive skin is our Toleriane Sensitive Facial Moisturiser. This is a prebiotic moisturiser that possesses 83% protective ingredients, including glycerin, ceramides and niacinamide, to hydrate and support the skin’s barrier.

How to apply: Apply evenly to the face and neck every morning and evening.


Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour Sensitive Cream:

For sensitive eye contours, try our Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream It contains niacinamide and thermal spring water to help with skin prone to redness or sensitivity.

How to apply:  Apply a small amount of product onto your finger. Delicately dab over the eye contour areas and eyelids. Apply gentle pressure from the inside of the eye outwards. Finish by applying light pressure over the whole eye.

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