The beauty industry buzzes with new trends, but some skincare ingredients, like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, are timeless powerhouses due to their incredible hydration abilities. While their benefits overlap, understanding the best way to use them together can be a little tricky. Let’s demystify the process of layering these ingredients for maximum hydration benefits! To start, let’s review why they deserve their place in your skincare routine.
What is niacinamide?
This amazing ingredient is a type of vitamin B3. When you put it on your skin, it helps balance the natural oils and keeps them in check. It also helps to fade dark spots, reduce hyperpigmentation, and shrink pores.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is famous for its ability to hold onto water, making it super hydrating. It acts like a sponge, pulling moisture from around your face and trapping it deep in your skin, keeping it full, moisturized, and happy all day long. When your skin has enough water, it can better fight off things like pollution and other harmful stuff in the environment.
What goes first, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid?
When you’re using skincare products with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide ingredients together, most dermatologists and skin experts suggest putting on hyaluronic acid first. This makes sure your skin gets really hydrated, so it can soak up anything else you put on it. Then, when you add niacinamide afterward, it gives your skin an extra burst of hydration. Plus, niacinamide helps control how much oil your skin makes.
What shouldn’t you use with niacinamide?
It’s not a good idea to mix niacinamide with vitamin C because they’re both strong antioxidants and together they cancel out each other’s benefits. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use both in your skincare routine. Just use products with them at different times. Vitamin C is great for mornings because it gives your skin a nice glow. Then, for evenings, use a serum with niacinamide to keep your skin healthy.
What other ingredients can you use with hyaluronic acid?
Surprisingly, hyaluronic acid works well for all skin types, even dry or sensitive skin. You can mix it with any other skincare product without worrying about allergic reactions or irritation.
When you’re putting on skincare products, start with the ones that are thinner and finish with the thicker ones. So, use serums first, then face oil, and finally moisturizers or creams. Serums with hyaluronic acid are great because they give you all the benefits of this hydrating ingredient.
They’re especially helpful after using toners with AHAs like glycolic acid or BHAs like salicylic acid because they calm and soothe your skin. Using a hyaluronic acid serum before products with retinol or other strong ingredients also helps hydrate your skin and lets those products sink in better and faster.
Which is better, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid?
It’s not a matter of one being better than the other; niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are both fantastic skincare ingredients, but they target different concerns:
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): This multi-tasker is great for:
- Reducing inflammation and redness: Beneficial for acne or rosacea.
- Controlling oil production: Ideal for oily or combination skin.
- Evening skin tone: helps minimize hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
- Boosting the skin barrier: promotes overall skin health and resilience.
Hyaluronic Acid: A True Hydration Champion
- Plumping and smoothing: reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Deeply moisturizing: perfect for dry, dehydrated, or mature skin.
- It creates a dewy glow and gives your complexion a healthy radiance.
The best choice depends on your skin’s specific needs:
- Oily or acne-prone skin? Niacinamide might be your top pick.
- Dry or dehydrated skin? Hyaluronic acid is likely the better option.
- Sensitive skin? Niacinamide is generally well-tolerated but it always introduces new ingredients gradually.
- Combination skin or multiple concerns? No problem! You can use both–layering hyaluronic acid first for hydration, followed by niacinamide.
Do you still need to moisturize after applying niacinamide?
It’s highly suggested to use a niacinamide serum in your skincare routine, and here’s why: Serums stay on your skin for a while and can get deep down where moisturizers usually can’t reach. After you use a niacinamide product, putting on moisturizer helps create a protective layer on your skin, so the moisturizer can keep your skin balanced and safe from things like pollution. This lets the other skincare ingredients do their job without any interference from outside stuff.
How to Properly Layer Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
Let’s tackle the big question: Should you put on niacinamide or hyaluronic acid first? You can use both together safely, but the order depends on what kind of products you have.
To make sure all your skincare stuff gets absorbed well, you should follow the thin-to-thick rule. So, if your niacinamide product is thinner, you’ll put that on first, right after washing your face. Then, you can put on the hyaluronic acid, which is thicker. You can use both of these ingredients in the morning and at night, if you want.
Achieve the Best Results with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide
Ready to level up your skincare routine and achieve that healthy, glowing skin you’ve always wanted? Remember, whether you’re reaching for niacinamide or hyaluronic acid, or even both, it’s all about understanding how they work together to hydrate and protect your skin. Follow these simple steps to layer them correctly: start with the thinner product, like niacinamide, then follow with the thicker one, like hyaluronic acid.
And don’t forget to moisturize afterward to lock in all that goodness! With the right knowledge and approach, you can unleash the full potential of these skincare superheroes and say hello to your best skin yet.