It is not a secret that the skincare world can be a little complicated. With a series of active ingredients, brands endorsed by influencers that vouch for glass-clear skin make tall claims. But are these claims valid? Do they provide solutions to modern skin issues?

While crafting a skincare routine, modern women are troubled by similar skin concerns like sun damage, redness and visible signs of ageing regardless of skin type. Some have found a trending solution for this, and they can be spotted browsing the internet asking, “Can I use vitamin C and niacinamide together?”

In short, the answer is yes, but it is time for some myth-busting regarding these favourite ingredients and their potential side effects. Join us as we demystify the usage of niacinamide and Vitamin C.

Shop Super Clarifying 12% Niacinamide Serum

What is niacinamide?

Also known as a blind of vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, this is a giant in the skin care industry that reduces the chances of skin irritation, making it suitable for all skin types. Beyond its topical application, it can also be consumed as a supplement, as the body cannot make it on its own.

Benefits of niacinamide

Listed below are the benefits of niacinamide we can reap:

• Improved uneven skin texture
• Balances out excess oil production, thereby controlling breakouts
• Soothes inflammation
• Minimises enlarged pores
• Brightens skin tone
• Improves hydration

What is vitamin C?

The penchant for turning towards this potent antioxidant makes sense, as healthy skin is abundant with vitamin C. It mitigates the damage of pro-aging factors but also assists your skin in maintaining its youthful and even-toned look.

Benefits of vitamin C

Vitamin C has heaps of benefits, including:

• Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Lessens the impact of harmful UV rays on your skin
• Boost collagen content, increasing the firmness of your skin
• Improves skin barrier
• Brightens and reduces uneven complexion

After dissecting these ingredients, let us explore whether niacinamide and vitamin C can be used together.

Also read: Vitamin C Uses and When To Use it

Can you use niacinamide and vitamin C together?

Materials online, including blogs and magazine articles, state that although these ingredients are amazing, blending them might create many problems. Firstly, it might neutralise the effectiveness of both the ingredients, and secondly, it might create nicotinic acid, popularly known as niacinamide, which reddens your skin.

Knowing that researchers have backed the idea that combining these two leads to a wealth of skin benefits is a relief. Here is where we will be a little science-y, but hanging there, your skin will love the results.

The propelling idea that made us curious about whether ‘vitamin C and niacinamide be used together’ was based on old research that negated the blend of both. However, at The Pink Foundry, we examine all research critically.

This study dates back to the early 1960s when non-stabilised forms of both ingredients were used. Meanwhile, in the modern cosmetics industry, stabilised formulas are used. Niacinamide is a pretty stable ingredient that does not oxidise on exposure to light and air, like vitamin C.

However, when blending the two, the undesirable by-product called nicotinic acid becomes an issue when combined in a high-temperature environment. This temperature is unattainable at most homes, even if you leave your cosmetic product outside in the sun. It is also important to note that this concern only applies to the pure form of vitamin C and not to forms like ascorbyl glucoside.

Benefits of using niacinamide and vitamin C together

There are numerous benefits of using niacinamide and vitamin C together. An amalgamation of these ingredients forms a powerhouse combo that makes your skin radiant and evens your skin tone. It fights dullness and makes you noticeably younger, regardless of skin type.

Hydrate your skin by using niacinamide with glycerin, as found in Super Clarifying 12% Niacinamide Face Serum for All Skin Types.

How to layer vitamin C and niacinamide

As a rule of thumb, skin care applications must start with products that have the runniest consistency and then graduate to the thickest and most luxurious ones. To simplify the usage of Vitamin C and niacinamide together, we have put together a routine:

Step 1:

Cleanse with a gentle face wash like Clearing & Calming Acne Face Wash 100 ml, as we recommend starting with a clean canvas.

Step 2:

Apply a good Vitamin C like the 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum | 30 ml and then a soothing serum like Super Clarifying 12% Niacinamide Face Serum for All Skin Types.

Step 3:

To seal in all the goodness, you can use a lightweight humectant like the Waterlight Gel Moisturiser 72 Hour Hydration 50 ml, which has hyaluronic acid and wheat germ oil that nourishes your skin from deep within.

Step 4:

We recommend you finish your routine with sunscreen regardless of whether it is a bright or cloudy day. The Dewy Hydrating Hybrid Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a good choice as it contains liquorice extracts that prevent Sun-induced pigmentation and discolouration.

What goes first: Vitamin C or niacinamide?

As mentioned, one must let vitamin C seep in before applying niacinamide.

Are there any potential side effects when using niacinamide and vitamin C together?

As we have already provided the answer to your question, can we use niacinamide and vitamin C together, we are reiterating it. Combining pure Vitamin C with niacinamide is fine as long as nicotinic acid is not produced, which is generally impossible at regular room temperature. It does not cause any problems for normal skin types, but precautions must be taken if you have sensitive skin.

However, if you are concerned about the potential side effects, you can use them alternatively, applying one during the day and one at night. Moreover, we recommend you consult a dermatologist rather than experiment on your skin.

Also read: Benefits of Niacinamide for Good Skin

Wrapping up

From the realms of research, we can state that Vitamin C, when combined with niacinamide, has many benefits. As a food for thought, we would like to conclude this blog by inviting you to ponder the compatibility of both ingredients as we know the abundance of Vitamin C in our skin. If they were not compatible enough, they would lead to skin problems or do nothing- but modern research only shows positive results!