Article Overview
Niacinamide and vitamin C are popular active ingredients found in a range of skincare products. When paired together can enhance both their benefits, promoting collagen production, improving overall skin texture, minimising hyperpigmentation and protecting the skin against environmental aggressors.
In this article, we delve into the benefits of pairing niacinamide and vitamin C, and how to incorporate the two into your skincare routine.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, helps to promote collagen production, maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and support an overall even, radiant skin tone. It’s used to soothe the skin, reduce trans epidermal water loss and create smoother, more even skin texture. As it’s a more gentle ingredient, niacinamide is beneficial for all skin types including oily, sensitive and blemish-prone skin, and can be added to both your morning and evening skincare routine.
Benefits of Niacinamide
- Evens out skin texture
- Provides an overall brighter, more radiant complexion
- Reduces post-blemish marks and age spots
- Supports the skin moisture barrier to protect the skin from environmental aggressors
- Visibly reduces pore size
- Visibly reduces wrinkles and fine lines
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and environmental aggressors, while also promoting protein production to maintain skin elasticity and firmness. It’s known to brighten and tighten the skin, helping with overall skin radiance.
Benefits of Vitamin C
- Neutralises free radicals and protects against irritants
- Leaves skin feeling revitalised and awake
- Visibly reduces signs of premature and photo-ageing
- Visibly reduces dark spots and post-blemish marks
Combining Niacinamide And Vitamin C
Utilising both niacinamide and vitamin C together creates a powerful combination that enhances their individual benefits for the skin.
Using niacinamide and vitamin C in unison:
- Promotes collagen production
- Helps to prevent trans epidermal water loss
- Helps to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier
- Regulates excess sebum production
- Protects against environmental aggressors
Through these effects, combining niacinamide and vitamin C helps to address a range of skin concerns including:
- Visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Minimise post-blemish marks and age spots
- Promotes overall skin radiance
- Maintains skin’s moisture barrier and overall skin condition
- Helps with uneven skin tone
When to Apply Niacinamide And Vitamin C
Cleansed skin absorbs active skincare ingredients more effectively, so apply after cleansing and toning your skin, and before moisturiser. The best time to apply vitamin C serum is generally in your morning routine, as it helps to protect your skin from visible sun damage, but it can be used both morning and night. Layer niacinamide products after vitamin C serum.
Vitamin C and Niacinamide In Your Skincare
Both niacinamide and vitamin C are more beneficial in their active form, which is why serums are generally recommended when incorporating both into your skincare. It’s important to use stable forms of each ingredient; consider your skin type and sensitivities, perform a patch test to prevent irritation, and consider advice from a dermatologist.
CE Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
SkinCeuticals' C E Ferulic is a high potency vitamin C serum acting as a potent antioxidant that protects against environmental aggressors and free radical damage from UV rays. The CE Ferulic serum contains 15% vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid that work in combination to provide a range of benefits to the skin.
Metacell Renewal Skin Firming Cream
Metacell Renewal B3 is a skin firming cream utilising a unique aqueous emulsion to deliver a high concentration of niacinamide that promotes cell turnover, reduces discolouration and provides intense hydration to balance out the skin drying effects. The firming cream combines 3% niacinamide with a firming tri-peptide concentrate and 15% pure glycerin to hydrate the skin without leaving a heavy or tacky feel.
Niacinamide and vitamin C for sensitive skin types
Niacinamide is generally considered a gentle active ingredient, but vitamin C serums can sometimes dry out and irritate sensitive skin types, which is why these skin types may want to adjust their routine to minimise these effects. When introducing vitamin C to your regime, it's important to start with a formula with a lower vitamin C concentration, and balance out the drying effects with hydrating formulas.
The Serum 10 AOX Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin is a gentle daytime formula for those introducing ascorbic acid into their regime for the first time. Combine this with the Niacinamide Renewal Skin Firming Cream and a hydrating serum, like the Hydrating B5 serum, to keep the skin hydrated.
Shop Featured Products
C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
A vitamin C serum for fine lines and wrinkles.
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Metacell Renewal Skin Tightening Cream
A daily skin firming cream to support skin cell renewal for visibly younger-looking skin.
Vitamin C & Niacinamide Routine Set
Niacinamide and Vitamin C to increase visual firmness and radiance.
$421.00 $336.80
Serum 10 AOX Vitamin C Serum for Sensitive Skin
A daytime introductory antioxidant serum that offers environmental aggressor protection for all skin types, including sensitive skin, while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Routine Set
A skincare set to remove excess oil paired with a night time antioxidant.
$321.00 $256.80
