Can I use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid?

What is Niacinamide?

Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a versatile, topically applied skincare ingredient with a host of benefits, especially in an anti-ageing skincare routine or for mild acne-prone skin.

Common Uses in Skincare

Niacinamide is a strengthening and supportive nutrient, but because it's an essential vitamin (i.e., not one produced naturally by our bodies), its benefits must be obtained by topical application or ingestion. Used topically, niacinamide is absorbed quickly, and because it's so gentle, can be used in virtually any skincare step and included in both morning and evening regimes.

Because of its versatility for almost any skincare concern and skin type, niacinamide tends to be combined with other ingredients to address a particular need. Whilst niacinamide is gentle enough for dry or sensitive skin types, it works best at a pH typically between 5 and 6, so pairing it with an incompatible ingredient (like salicylic acid or other exfoliating acids) can potentially lead to less effective results.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Properties and Benefits

Hyaluronic acid is a large, naturally occurring carbohydrate molecule produced and found throughout the body and especially in the skin. It's an excellent humectant (a compound that absorbs and retains moisture), able to hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water.

Within the skin, hyaluronic acid binds water molecules to collagen (the protein that forms the main structure of skin) to support it in maintaining plumpness and bounce.

From our twenties onwards, the body's natural production of hyaluronic acid begins to diminish, resulting in increased skin dryness. Topical application of hyaluronic acid can be used to replenish these levels and keep skin hydrated.

Skin Hydration Effects

The ability of hyaluronic acid to absorb so many times its own weight of water also becomes its greatest asset in the world of skincare. Applying hyaluronic acid helps moisturise dry skin and keep it hydrated.

Improving Skin Texture

Hydrated skin benefits from visible improvements to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, so hyaluronic acid helps with this. It also helps improve skin elasticity, firmness, and has an overall plumping effect.

Last but not least, hyaluronic acid also helps:

• strengthen the skin moisture barrier.
• regulate sebum production.
• reduce dullness for a brighter complexion.

Common Uses in Skincare

Gentle and well-tolerated by all skin types, hyaluronic acid can be used once or twice daily and is recommended for pretty much all skincare routines. It features in various forms and concentrations in an array of products from facial mists and cleansers to serums; for hydration and anti-ageing support, targeting blemishes or to improve skin texture. It also combines well, so can be layered, or mixed with other skincare ingredients—sometimes to offset their drying or skin irritation effects.

On ingredient lists, you may see mention of different molecular weights (or sizes) of hyaluronic acid being used. That's because the size of the hyaluronic acid molecule impacts its intended purpose. The smaller the molecule, the deeper it penetrates the skin's layers. A high molecular weight tends to create a film on the surface.

Combining Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid

OK, so now we've introduced the two ingredients, let's get back to discussing the original question; "Can I use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid?"

Compatibility of Ingredients

These two ingredients share a range of complementary and overlapping benefits for skin. Hyaluronic acid, the great humectant, is complemented by niacinamide's involvement in synthesis of ceramides that strengthen the skin's moisture barrier to reduce dehydration. And the boost niacinamide gives collagen production gives hyaluronic acid a framework to hang water molecules onto, whilst they both help generate a smoother, plumper appearance.

Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are both water-based ingredients, so they pair well together in the same formulations.

They can also be used alongside other ingredients to tackle multiple skin concerns efficiently. This multi-ingredient approach to skincare is important because as beneficial as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are for skin, they're not the only ingredients your skin needs to look and feel its best.

Application and Usage

Individually, both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are generally very well tolerated and can be used once or even twice a day, morning and/or evening.

After cleansing, apply hyaluronic acid first as a serum, mask, or moisturiser to hydrate and replenish the skin, followed by your niacinamide product to help retain the moisture and manage excess sebum production. As with all skincare products, wait 1-2 minutes between steps to allow each product to absorb fully.

Try our Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Skincare Set

The Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Routine Set combines niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to remove excess oil, deliver intense day and night hydration, and provide a night time antioxidant, without leaving the skin feeling heavy.

First, layer hyaluronic acid serum with Hydrating B5, a hydrating, oil-free serum that also contains the antioxidant Vitamin B5 (otherwise known as pantothenic acid) to replenish moisture without clogging pores, help repair and rejuvenate skin, and restore radiance for a smoother, younger-looking complexion. Suitable for all skin types, but especially beneficial for oily, acne prone skin.

Then on top of that, apply Metacell Renewal B3, a lightweight aqueous emulsion that delivers a high concentration of niacinamide combined with pure glycerin and a tripeptide concentrate to help maintain skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels. This skin firming cream targets early signs of skin ageing, hydrating and supporting the skin’s moisture barrier to improve the appearance of wrinkles and surface elasticity. It also helps increase turnover of skin cells, clarifies and evens skin tone.

This skin set is suitable for normal, dry, combination, or oily skin types, as well as sensitive skin.

Where can I find out more?

To discover the best products for your skin type and get advice about how to use them, use our online Routine Finder, or visit one of the SkinCeuticals Authorised Australian clinic locations.