Glow Up with Niacinamide & Vitamin C: The ultimate pairing

When it comes to powerhouse skincare ingredients, niacinamide and vitamin C are two of the most talked-about. Both boast impressive benefits for the skin, but understanding how they work, their differences, and how to incorporate them into your routine is key to achieving the best results. Below, Ruan Winter breaks it down.

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that supports the skin’s barrier, reduces inflammation, and helps with overall skin health. It’s known for its calming and protective properties, making it ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

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Vitamin C, an antioxidant, is essential for brightening the skin, evening out skin tone, and protecting against environmental damage. It promotes collagen production and helps reduce hyperpigmentation, making it a go-to ingredient for radiant skin.

Benefits of Niacinamide and Vitamin C

Niacinamide:

Strengthens the skin barrier
Reduces redness and inflammation
Controls excess oil production
Minimises the appearance of pores
Fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation

Vitamin C:

Brightens and evens skin tone
Protects against free radical damage
Reduces hyperpigmentation
Boosts collagen production
Improves skin elasticity

Key differences

While both ingredients help with brightening and evening out skin tone, they differ in how they achieve these results:

Niacinamide is gentler on the skin and helps regulate oil production, making it ideal for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Vitamin C actively fights free radicals and boosts collagen, making it especially beneficial for those looking to address early signs of ageing and dullness.

How to use Niacinamide and Vitamin C in your skincare routine

For optimal results, it’s essential to layer these ingredients correctly:

@onyeeka Replying to @OMA❤️ Vitamin C Vs Niacinamide They are both powerful skincare ingredients, but they serve different purposes: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant that brightens the skin, helps in collagen production, and protects against sun damage by neutralizing free radicals. It's great for reducing dark spots and overall skin radiance. • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) helps improve the skin's barrier function, reduces oil production, minimizes pores, and can even out skin tone. It's also excellent for calming redness and reducing hyperpigmentation. Both ingredients can be used together in a skincare routine. However, you may want to introduce them slowly if you have sensitive skin to prevent irritation. Some people prefer using Vitamin C in the morning (for antioxidant protection) and niacinamide in the evening (to repair and soothe). #helloperfectskin #aesthetic #aestheticclinic #laserclinic #onyeeka #vitamincserum #niacinamide #naturalhair #glowingskin ♬ Funds (feat. ODUMODUBLVCK & Chike) - Davido

Morning routine – Start with a vitamin C serum to protect your skin from environmental stressors and promote brightness. Follow up with a niacinamide-infused moisturiser to strengthen your skin barrier and lock in hydration.
Evening routine: You can use niacinamide in the evening to calm the skin, reduce inflammation, and control oil production overnight.

Can you use Niacinamide with Vitamin C?

Yes! Contrary to past misconceptions, niacinamide and vitamin C can be used together. When layered correctly, they complement each other well – vitamin C brightens and protects, while niacinamide soothes and reinforces the skin barrier.

Products that include these powerhouse ingredients:

The Purifying Treatment Cream from Vitaderm comprises three main ingredients: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid and Jojoba Extract, while Radian-C Serum is a light-weight gel-serum formulated with a new generation Vitamin C in its purest form . As Winter explains: “Using niacinamide and vitamin C together can create a powerhouse combination for healthier, more resilient skin. It’s about choosing the right formulations that work in harmony with your skin type.”