Niacinamide works well with most ingredients. You can use it with most skincare ingredients.
However, there are a couple of ingredients to be cautious about niacinamide, and I have mentioned them below:
1. Niacinamide and Vitamin C
In the 1960s, a study showed that combining these two ingredients would negate their benefits.
However, the 1960s study used non-stable forms of niacinamide and vitamin C. Skincare formulation has progressed significantly since then. These days, formulators use stable versions of niacinamide and vitamin C.
Some say that when these two are combined, nicotinic acid is formed on the skin—this acid can cause redness. Redness is not good, so they say it is best to avoid combining these two. However, nicotinic acid only forms when these two are combined at very high temperatures. These high temperatures are only in a lab setting and will not be in a typical house setting.
Some say they should not be combined because vitamin C skincare products have to be at a very low pH to be effective, and niacinamide skincare products must be at a neutral pH. So, we should not combine them. But you will not mix these two products in your palm and apply them to your face. You will apply one first, wait a few minutes and then apply the second. So, what’s the problem?
Ordinary Skincare, a reputable company, says these two ingredients should not be mixed on its website. Yes, they say that on their website, but many other reputable companies say these two are safe to mix.
So what’s the verdict – can we mix them or not?
Theoretically, they should be safe to mix. But why not play it safe and use Vitamin C in the morning and Niacinamide at night or vice-versa?
But if you really want to mix them and are confident your skin can take them in together, apply vitamin C first. Wait for 3 to 4 minutes. And then apply your niacinamide.
2. Niacinamide on top of Niacinamide
A lot of moisturisers, cleansers and sunscreens have niacinamide in them.
Between 2 and 5% niacinamide in a product is enough to deliver the benefits niacinamide can bring to our skin. Anything higher can be irritating for some. It can cause redness.
So, check the ingredients of the products you are using. You don’t want to use too much niacinamide. If you use a niacinamide serum in a routine, don’t top it with a niacinamide-containing moisturiser.