It might be difficult to know which ones to use for particular skincare problems and concerns when it comes to skincare actives. It becomes even more complex when attempting to determine which active ingredients can be used in combination with one another in the same skincare routine, like salicylic acid with niacinamide, for example.
Both salicylic acid and niacinamide are outstanding skincare active ingredients that provide a variety of skin-benefitting properties. So, is it possible to combine salicylic acid with niacinamide in the same skincare routine? To understand why you would want to use each active skincare ingredient, let’s start with why you would want to use them in the first place.
Benefits of Niacinamide
Niacinamide, often known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin with various skincare benefits. Niacinamide is well-known for its skin-brightening properties and its ability to improve the skin’s protective barrier. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory qualities and helps in the speed of cellular turnover.
Niacinamide is a powerful anti-aging ingredient. This research showed that a 5% concentration of niacinamide improved the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, blotchiness, and sallow skin while maintaining skin elasticity. It also helps increase collagen production, resulting in firmer and more youthful-looking skin due to its antioxidant properties.
Niacinamide also has the additional benefit of increasing the skin’s antioxidant capacity. In addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide is beneficial for sensitive skin since it helps minimize irritation and redness. Niacinamide might be beneficial for people with oily or acne-prone skin, as well as those who have sensitive skin.
Niacinamide is a vitamin that helps decrease sebum production and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores on the skin. The anti-aging benefits of niacinamide are based on the amount of the compound that is applied to the skin, just as they are with any other skincare product. While greater concentrations of niacinamide are effective, most studies using niacinamide at concentrations from 2 percent to 5 percent have shown multiple benefits for the skin.
Niacinamide products are usually formulated with concentrations ranging from 2 percent to 10 percent and even as high as 20 percent. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to begin with a low concentration.
Benefits of Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid, which is produced from wintergreen, willow bark, and sweet birch, is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin. Because it is oil-soluble, it can penetrate deep into pores and unclog them, clearing away sebum, grime, dead skin cells, dirt, and other impurities while enhancing the texture and clarity of your skin.
Since salicylic acid is effective on both whiteheads and blackheads, it is particularly popular among those with oily skin and those who suffer from breakouts and acne since salicylic acid is effective on both. The anti-inflammatory effects of salicylic acid are another important advantage for those who suffer from acne since it helps to reduce the inflammation that is linked with the condition.
Because salicylic acid is similar to other exfoliating acids in that it may irritate the skin by causing redness, peeling, and irritation, depending on the formulation and your skin type. If you have sensitive or dry skin, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as lactic acid or glycolic acid, in varying concentrations, maybe a better choice for you than other skincare products.
Choosing a salicylic acid product with lower concentrations of the active ingredient is suggested if your skin is sensitive. Salicylic acid makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s vital to use broad-spectrum sun protection with an SPF of 30 or higher while using it and for at least a week after you stop using it.
How to Use Salicylic Acid with Niacinamide
Unfortunately, it is not as simple as using a salicylic acid product and then following up with a niacinamide product. The reason for this begins with a discussion of the pH of the product.
pH and Your Skin
The PH, or “potential of hydrogen,” is used to measure the concentration of hydrogen ions in water-based solutions. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7.0 indicating neutral (pure water). Measurements below 7.0 are considered acidic, and measurements over 7.0 are regarded as alkaline.
However, although this research showed that skin’s natural pH is somewhat under 5.0, skin often has a pH between 4.7 and 6.0. Although our skin’s pH is somewhat acidic, the acid mantle helps maintain a healthy pH balance.
Salicylic Acid pH and Niacinamide pH
- Salicylic acid is often formulated with a pH of approximately 3.0-4.0 to provide the best exfoliation and effectiveness. As a result, salicylic acid lowers the skin’s pH, allowing it to function correctly.
- Niacinamide has a pH range of around 5.0-7.0, with 6.0 being the ideal solution for stability.
Niacinamide will raise the pH of salicylic acid if applied too soon after salicylic acid, which may reduce the effectiveness of the products or cause a skin response such as redness or flushing.
Consider waiting around 30 minutes after using salicylic acid to enable your skin’s pH level to restore to a more normal range for the most effective results. Then, apply niacinamide to your skin, whether it’s in the form of a serum or another sort of skincare product, such as a moisturizer designed with niacinamide.
Can I use salicylic acid and niacinamide together? It is possible to include both salicylic acid and niacinamide in your skincare routine and use them at various times of the day. For example, you might apply niacinamide in the morning and salicylic acid at night. Alternatively, you might alternate using salicylic acid and niacinamide on various days of the week.
Niacinamide Skincare Products
Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
Paula’s Choice 10 percent Niacinamide Booster includes 10 percent niacinamide in a super-lightweight formulation. Because the serum is virtually as thin as water, it is simple to include into your daily skincare routine.
It also includes allantoin and licorice extract, known to soothe the skin and minimize redness. Vitamin C is also added to the composition to provide extra brightening benefits and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid moisturizes and plumps up the skin.
This serum soothes, brightens, and moisturizes the skin. Additionally, it helps minimize the appearance of large pores, uneven skin tone, redness, texture, and dryness. You can use it alone, under a moisturizer, because it’s so lightweight, you can mix it with another serum or moisturizer. It can even be used under the eyes, as long as you take precautions to prevent getting it in your eyes.
Affordable Niacinamide Serum: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Try The Ordinary Niacinamide 10 percent + Zinc 1 percent, which contains 10 percent niacinamide and is an extremely affordable niacinamide serum option. This serum is designed to minimize the appearance of blemishes and congestion on the skin. It also includes Zinc PCA, which helps to maintain a healthy balance of visual sebum activity.
This serum, which is one of The Ordinary’s best-selling products, also helps to brighten and even out the skin tone. It helps control sebum production, making it particularly beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin.
Salicylic Acid Skincare Products
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Is salicylic acid an exfoliant? Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2 Percent BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the best-selling product in the world. Can I use Paula’s choice bha with niacinamide? This treatment is a customer favorite because it unclogs pores, decreases the appearance of large pores, exfoliates dead skin cells, brightens the face, and evens out the skin tone.
This leave-on product includes 2% BHA salicylic acid, which is good for the skin. This product is ideal for people with dull complexions and those who suffer from acne, oily skin, and pimples. It also includes green tea extract. Green tea extract also has antioxidant qualities that can help to reduce the effects of sun damage.
If you’re searching for a salicylic acid body treatment, Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA smoothly exfoliates dead skin layers on your body with 2% salicylic acid. In addition to treating clogged pores on the arms and legs, this body lotion is also beneficial for those who suffer from keratosis pilaris. This disease produces small bumps (keratin buildup) and rough skin on their arms and legs.
Affordable Salicylic Acid Treatment: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2 percent Masque is ideal for dull skin and skin with textural imperfections. This rinse-off mask includes two percent salicylic acid, which is designed to exfoliate dead skin cells of oily and acne-prone skin. It also includes charcoal and clays, which help to deep clean pores, unclog them, and remove impurities from the skin.
This masque, which has a pH range of 3.5-4.5, helps to clear up congestion while also reducing uneven skin tone. This rinse-off masque may be applied once or twice a week on dry skin. It should not be kept on for more than ten minutes at a time.
Patch testing is recommended before using this product for the first time. Please keep in mind that this product will not be used for skin that is sensitive, peeling, or compromised.
Can you mix salicylic acid and niacinamide? When used combined, salicylic acid with niacinamide provides the skin with various advantages, ranging from pore-clearing and wrinkle-smoothing effects to skin lightening and skin barrier protection.
Can you use salicylic acid with niacinamide? Combination and oily skin types may benefit the most from using salicylic acid in combination with niacinamide since both ingredients have several advantages for greasy and acne-prone skin types.
Remember to wait approximately 30 minutes after using salicylic acid before adding niacinamide to ensure proper absorption. Considerably better, use them at various times of the day or on different days of the week to achieve positive results. If you want to know Can You Mix Niacinamide and Lactic Acid? then check out this post.
