It’s no secret that every skincare enthusiast loves niacinamide and vitamin C serum. These two skincare products deserve a spot in every skincare routine, particularly if you want to fade pigmentation, maintain the youthfulness of your skin, or get radiant skin. But do you need to use both products? Or more importantly, which one is better: vitamin C or niacinamide serum? We’re here to help you decide!
Continue reading to learn more about vitamin C and niacinamide serums.
What is Vitamin C and Niacinamide Serum?
A water-soluble form of vitamin B3 is niacinamide. It is widely present in fish, poultry, eggs, and nuts. A multipurpose active ingredient, niacinamide ensures optimal outcomes without skin irritation or flare-ups. Conversely, vitamin C is present in potatoes and citrus foods. It shields the skin from sun damage and brightens the skin. It is also used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
Benefits of Niacinamide Serum
Maintains skin barrier integrity: For those who don't know, your body's first line of defense is your skin, also known as the lipid barrier. It deftly stops contaminants, bacteria, viruses, and other aggressors from penetrating through the skin. By increasing the synthesis of ceramides and elastin, the niacinamide serum contributes significantly to the preservation of this barrier.
Eliminates excess sebum: By absorbing excess sebum from the skin, niacinamide applied topically promotes healthy microbiota, preventing greasiness on the skin.
Reduces the appearance of pores: Niacinamide serum reduces the appearance of pores by removing sebum and debris from deep within them.
Benefits of Vitamin C Serum
Delays the aging process: Vitamin C serum reverses the appearance of wrinkles, crow's feet, fine lines, and other symptoms of aging skin by increasing the production of collagen.
Prevent free radicals: Applying vitamin C topically helps counteract free radicals, avoiding skin damage. Vitamin C is also well-known for protecting the skin from pollution and damaging UV radiation.
Lessens spots and marks: Vitamin C also encourages better skin cell renewal, which gradually lessens the visibility of scars, spots, and blemishes.
Which Skincare Product is Better?
It appears that there is no winner-take-all competition between niacinamide and vitamin C. Both ingredients can increase collagen synthesis and lessen hyperpigmentation. If you are prone to acne, you might also want to use vitamin C and niacinamide to lighten acne scars and dark patches. Depending on the percentage, vitamin C may be harsher for more sensitive skin types.
Can You Use Vitamin C and Niacinamide Serum Together?
The good news is that using vitamin C and niacinamide together is generally safe. Niacinamide and vitamin C complement each other very well.
Here’s how you can use vitamin C serum and niacinamide serum together.
Include the two components in your nightly and morning regimen, respectively. Use vitamin C in the morning to prevent unintentional flare-ups or inflammation. This potent antioxidant protects your skin from damaging free radicals, UV radiation, and aggressors. To help keep your skin hydrated all night, use niacinamide serum at night.
As an alternative, start by applying Vitamin C to well-cleansed skin if you wish to use the two products together. Apply a thin layer of niacinamide serum to the skin once the vitamin C serum has been fully absorbed. This mainstay moisturizes the skin, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the barrier thanks to vitamin C.
Having said that, there are a few considerations to make when combining niacinamide with vitamin C, such as the particular formulations you select and the sequence in which you apply them.
Potential Side Effects of Using Niacinamide Serum and Vitamin C Serum
Although niacinamide and vitamin C are compatible, some people may encounter the following adverse effects:
Skin irritation: A high vitamin C content may cause skin irritation manifested as redness, stinging, or itching.
Breakouts: You can get hives or breakouts on your skin if you have oily or acne-prone skin.
Therefore, if you would like to incorporate niacinamide serum and vitamin C serum into your regular skincare routine, steer clear of the following mistakes.
Not performing a patch test: Perform a patch test on your neck prior to incorporating the two ingredients into your regular regimen.
Excessive use of active ingredients: Start with two to three times per week if you're new to either vitamin C or niacinamide. Allow your skin to adjust to the special active ingredient mix.
Not wearing sunscreen: When active substances are applied topically, your skin is more vulnerable to photodamage. Apply a thick layer of sunscreen in the morning or afternoon before going outside to prevent this.