Can vitamin C and niacinamide be used together?

The best thing about a science-backed skincare routine is that active ingredients share the load when teamed up correctly.

But before you add any active ingredient to your current list, it is crucial to understand the science behind it, just as you would try to find the flavor of an ingredient before adding it to your food.

Well-formulated skincare combinations can help you reach a skincare routine that sticks.

 However, combining active ingredients can be tricky due to their complex structure. You must ensure the combination is suitable for your skin and concerns.

For instance, one of the most debated skincare combinations is vitamin C and niacinamide, and people often wonder if they can be used together.

So, let’s understand what these ingredients do to your skin, whether you should use them together, and if so, how.

Read on.

What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3. As an active ingredient, it is extremely versatile and suits most skin types. 

Found in your day-to-day foods as well, this carbon compound has an immense contribution to your cellular functions, repair, and maintenance. 

Niacinamide can immensely improve your skin’s health with the following benefits. It: 

1. Treats hyperpigmentation and clears blemishes

2. Brightens the skin. 

3. Evens out the texture of the skin by tightening pores.

4. Balances the sebum production, helping manage oily and acne-prone skin

5. Helps treat irritation and redness with its anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Boosts collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and reducing lines and wrinkles.

7. Helps keep skin plump and hydrated.

What is vitamin C?

Found in citrus fruits, Vitamin C is known for its skin-glowing properties. Known for being compatible with all skin types, it is one of the most sought-after active ingredients for skin. 

Naturally produced by the skin too, an adequate level of vitamin C in your skin can give you a clear spotless face!

Regular use of vitamin C or L ascorbic acid (as it is also called) can give you multiple skin benefits :

1. It regulates and reduces ‘oxidation stress’ in your skin as it is a powerful antioxidant.

2. It evens out the skin tone and reduces hyperpigmentation, giving a healthy glow.

3. It boosts collagen production resulting in firm and radiant skin.

4. It is a powerful UV filter that protects from the UV rays. 

5. It enhances the skin barrier by healing damaged cells.

Is it safe to use ascorbic acid and niacinamide- busting the myth

In earlier studies, it was believed that using niacinamide and vitamin C can react with each other adversely, causing irritation and breakouts. 

However, recent studies prove otherwise.

It was found that Vitamin C and niacinamide when used in their stabilized forms are rather supplementary and provide amplified effects for the skin. 

Thankfully, today, all product formulae use stabilized forms of active ingredients, making this skincare combination effective and safe.

Pairing niacinamide with vitamin C

Now that it is established that vitamin C and niacinamide are not reactive, let’s dive into the ways you can combine and boost their synergies:

1. The best way to get the benefits of both ingredients is through serums. You can use both vitamin C and niacinamide serum in regulated concentrations twice daily unless you have hypersensitive skin. However, ensure to do a patch test before use.

2. As a skin-brightening ingredient that oxidizes faster, apply a vitamin C serum first to allow it to absorb quickly into the skin, followed by niacinamide.  As a hydrating ingredient, niacinamide leaves the skin hydrated when layered on vitamin C. However, as a general rule, you must always layer your serums from thinner to thicker consistency.

3.  If serums are not suitable for your skin, you can opt for a niacinamide toner, or a moisturizer to incorporate these hero ingredients into the skincare routine.  

4. Niacinamide in gel or water-based, superlight formulas are known to work the best on all skin types. Vitamin C has shown amazing results in the form of both serums and vitamin C moisturizers.  You can select the texture to your liking and skin needs.

5. Since vitamin C and niacinamide do not react when mixed or layered, you can use them in the same routine in regulated concentration. Alternatively, you can use one serum in the A.M. routine and another in the P.M. routine. 

6. You can also try out the ingredients in different formulations. This approach lets the active ingredients do their work both independently and united. For instance, vitamin C in your toner while you use niacinamide in your serum.

A simple routine with vitamin C and niacinamide

1. Step 1 Cleansing: Begin by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Gently massage in circular motions for 60 seconds. Then wash it off and pat dry gently. 

2. Step 2 Toning: A gentle alcohol-free toner is what goes onto the skin now. Spritz a few times on your skin or gently dab it all over your face and neck with a cotton pad. Then wait a couple of minutes to allow the toner to absorb. 

3. Step 3 Treating: Next treat your skin with a serum. You can apply a vitamin C serum on your skin followed by niacinamide serum. However, while using both serums in the same routine, ensure that the concentrations are regulated. Alternatively, you can use one serum in the morning routine and another in the night skincare routine.

4. Step 4 Hydrating: After treating your skin with a serum, use a niacinamide moisturizer to lock in all the hydration and keep your skin nourished. 

5. Step 5 Protecting: Last but not least, apply sunscreen. Opt for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and above, 15 minutes before stepping into the sun. This step is crucial even if you are indoors or even if it is raining. 2% Niacinamide & Rice Water SPF 50 PA+++ Hybrid Sunscreen. 

           Green Tea & Zinc Super-Matte Sunscreen Gel

 For the nighttime routine, opt for a night cream instead of sunscreen, with skin repair properties, keeping the rest of the steps the same.

This simple skincare routine can be followed both during the day and at night to get amazing results!

To conclude, the fact that niacinamide and vitamin C are reactive is a myth. However, avoid overusing any active ingredient if overused in higher concentrations to prevent adverse effects. Consistency with regulation is the key to achieving glowing skin.

FAQs

Can I use vitamin C with niacinamide?

Yes, the two work together very well. In regulated concentrations, you can use them both in the same routine.

How often should I use vitamin C with niacinamide?

You can use vitamin C and niacinamide together twice a day in regulated concentrations.

Can I layer vitamin C and niacinamide under makeup?

Yes, you can use vitamin C and niacinamide serum under makeup. However, allow them to be fully absorbed before applying makeup.

Are there precautions to the combination of vitamin C and niacinamide?

A patch test is recommended before adding any active ingredient to a skincare routine. The only precaution you need is to start with a lower concentration. Keep it simple, light, and easy to follow. 

Which skin types best benefit from this combination?

Vitamin C and niacinamide together suit all skin types and, if used regularly, give a radiant glow. However, it is recommended that a patch test be done before using them.