Can You Use Niacinamide and Retinol Together?
A board-certified dermatologist gives us her expert take.
August 13, 2024
While your skincare routine may be padded with the likes of vitamin C, glycolic acid, retinol, and niacinamide, that’s only a good thing if you know how to use these ingredients properly. The latter two—niacinamide and retinol—are beloved in the beauty community for their anti-aging and brightening benefits. However, both are considered “active ingredients,” so you may be wondering to yourself, “Hey, can I use niacinamide with retinol in my beauty routine?”
We tapped Michelle Henry, MD FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and L’Oréal Paris consultant, to learn more about the best practices for pairing these two ingredients. Ahead, learn how to use them together without irritating your skin.
What Does Niacinamide Do for Skin?
Products formulated with niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) can help brighten your complexion and improve the appearance of dark spots, redness, and discoloration, per Harvard Health. It’s also an antioxidant, per the Mayo Clinic, and may help improve skin elasticity.
Dr. Henry tells us that many people love niacinamide because it’s highly tolerable by most skin types. It’s also one of those ingredients you can use either in the morning or the evening, offering lots of flexibility within your routine.
What Does Retinol Do for Skin?
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that are available either over-the-counter or through a prescription, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This category of ingredients can help address visible signs of aging—including fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness—and may help with breakouts, notes the Cleveland Clinic.
Typically, retinol is a lower concentration of vitamin A that’s often found in serums and creams; these are products you can purchase over the counter. There are also several retinoids you can get with a prescription from a doctor or a dermatologist.
Can You Use Niacinamide With Retinol?
Many can layer niacinamide and retinol without issue, but as with anything, it’s important to pay attention to the formulations you use and the way your skin reacts, says Dr. Henry. “Niacinamide is one of those ingredients like ceramides. It plays really well with other ingredients,” she says In a clinical trial by the Journal of Pharmacological and Biophysical Research, topical niacinamide was found to be well-tolerated by the skin on various skin types.
As for whether you should use a niacinamide serum or moisturizer with your retinol, it’s very situational. “If you're using [niacinamide] for soothing qualities, not a true targeted concern, then a moisturizer is fine,” says Dr. Henry. “If it's a true targeted concern, like hyperpigmentation, then you're going to want a more concentrated niacinamide, [like a] serum.” In that case, mixing niacinamide and retinol together may be a bit too aggressive for your skin—in these cases, you may want to consider spacing out your usage of each.
Regardless of what formulas you pick, introduce retinol and niacinamide into your skincare routine slowly and evaluate how your skin reacts. According to Dr. Henry, skin flushing (all over redness) is a sign that the two formulations may not be compatible.
If you experience this, stop use immediately and contact your dermatologist if the irritation doesn’t subside within a few days. If your skin shows no signs of irritation, continue to increase usage as your skin can tolerate it.
How Often Can You Use Niacinamide and Retinol?
Niacinamide plays well with other ingredients and is an ingredient many can use daily, Dr. Henry says. However, it ultimately depends on the formula and your skin type; read the instructions on the package and ask your dermatologist for guidance if you’re unsure.
Vitamin A and its derivatives, particularly retinol, can help slow down the visible signs of aging, per the NCBI. However, unlike niacinamide, retinoids may not be something you can use daily. The type of retinoid you’re using dictates how often you can use it.
If you’re just starting off with retinoids, it’s best to introduce them into your skincare routine once or twice a week at night and build up use as your skin can tolerate it, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Since retinol has a lower concentration of vitamin A, you may find that your skin tolerates it daily, or every other day, without irritation.
How To Use Niacinamide and Retinol Together
Now that you know it’s generally okay to layer niacinamide and retinol in your skincare routine, let’s talk about best practices. Start your routine by cleansing with a gentle face wash, then gently pat your skin dry.
Whether you apply niacinamide before or after retinol largely depends on the type of niacinamide and retinoid formulations you’re using. A good rule of thumb is that your skincare should always be applied from thinnest to thickest consistency and the same applies for niacinamide and retinol. So if you’re using a serum—retinol or niacinamide—you’d apply that first followed by the heavier product.
If you prefer to not use both products at the same time, apply your retinol in the evening and niacinamide in the morning. Alternatively, you can use a product formulated with both—like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide—to take the guesswork out of layering the two.
Regardless of what order you apply niacinamide and retinol, make sure to introduce new products into your skincare routinely gradually. Pay attention to your skin’s reaction, and pull back or adjust as needed.
As always, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day to help protect your skin from the sun. The L'Oreal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Daily UV Lotion is among our favorite picks, as it boasts a non-greasy texture and blends seamlessly with no white cast across a range of skin tones.
Common mistakes to avoid
Skincare is a delicate balance. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using retinol and niacinamide.
- Even though it may be tempting to rush to the finish line, don’t overuse products. Always follow on-label usage instructions for optimal results.
- Avoid mixing niacinamide and retinol with other active ingredients. For example, AHAs or BHAs shouldn’t be layered with retinol. Take a look at all your active ingredients and double check whether they play nicely together.
- Pay attention to your skin’s reaction and adjust as needed. Everyone’s skin is unique, so what works for your friend may not work for you. Also keep in mind that your own skin may change over time.
The Best L’Oréal Paris Products With Retinol and Niacinamide
Check out these products to shop if you’re looking to add niacinamide or retinol to your anti-aging skincare routine.
L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel
For a targeted niacinamide serum that tackles the look of discoloration, add this exfoliating peel to your routine. Formulated with a combination of niacinamide, AHAs, BHA, and PHA, it helps fade the look of dark spots and renews skin texture. Even after one use, it can help your skin look brighter and feel softer. Keep in mind that this potent dark spot treatment isn’t meant for daily use—we suggest no more than four times per week at night (and always remember to wear SPF the next day).
L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% [Niacinamide + Amino Sulfonic + Ferulic Acid] Dark Spot Serum
This brightening niacinamide serum helps visibly fade all types of dark spots, including hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and mature skin, and you can use it morning and night as part of your regular skincare routine.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol
This anti-aging retinol serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to counteract the potentially irritating effects of retinol. With continued use, skin feels smoother, appears brighter, and wrinkles are visibly reduced.
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide
This retinol-infused night cream with niacinamide helps brighten skin while tackling the visible signs of aging, including dullness, fine lines and wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. The lightweight formula keeps skin moisturized for up to 24 hours and helps firm, tighten, and brighten the skin over time. The first week, use it a few times a week at night, after cleansing your face. If your skin tolerates it, you can proceed to every other night the second week, and every night once you hit the third week.
