Can You Mix Niacinamide and Vitamin C?

We all experience skin changes from time to time like blotchiness, dryness, and pigment changes. And as you get older, you may also notice fine lines and wrinkles. A good skincare routine can help keep your skin clear and even. But skincare can get complicated fast. It’s often hard to know which products are worth your time and money — and how they can be used most effectively. 

Niacinamide and vitamin C are two topical vitamins that can help reduce certain skin changes and slow signs of aging. And they can be used together. Let’s look at the evidence behind niacinamide and vitamin C for skincare and the best way to use them.

Can you use niacinamide and vitamin C at the same time?

Yes, you can use niacinamide and vitamin C together. While they have similar effects on your skin, they work differently. Using them together can maximize their effectiveness.

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Niacinamide and vitamin C are both antioxidants. They help fight off skin damage triggered by environmental toxins like smoke, pollution, and ultraviolet (UV) light. They work in slightly different ways to improve skin health and appearance and can be safely combined. In fact, some skincare products already contain a mix of both ingredients. 

Combining niacinamide and vitamin C can help give you brighter, smoother skin.

What are the benefits of niacinamide vs. vitamin C?

Vitamin C and niacinamide are both powerful skincare products. Here’s how they work for your skin.

Vitamin C Benefits 

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and one of the most well-studied skincare ingredients. 

It helps prevent free radical damage when used with sunscreen and other SPF-containing products. It also helps repair skin damage caused by UV light and other toxins. 

Vitamin C promotes skin renewal by boosting collagen production. It also interrupts melanin production, which helps fade and prevent dark spots. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Putting together a skincare routine? Our skincare basics can help get you started.

• Vitamin C and your skin: Learn about the benefits of this powerful antioxidant. 

• What else should you add to vitamin C? Here’s how to use vitamin C and retinol together in your skincare routine.

Regular use of vitamin C can: 

• Brighten skin 

• Fade dark spots and post-blemish marks

• Prevent and lessen the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

For best results, choose a vitamin C product with a concentration between 10% and 20%. Look for products in dark, airtight containers since vitamin C breaks down easily when exposed to light and air.

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Vitamin C is good for all skin types, but you might prefer specific forms depending on your needs. For example, if you have dry or sensitive skin, look for magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, which is more water-soluble and gentler on your skin. For acne-prone skin, products with sodium ascorbyl phosphate, a derivative of L-ascorbic acid, are a better choice. 

Niacinamide Benefits

Niacinamide, also called nicotinamide, is a type of vitamin B3. Like vitamin C, it can reduce the appearance and prevent dark spots by interfering with the transfer of melanin to skin cells. Niacinamide is particularly good for oily, acne-prone, and dry skin. 

Regular use of niacinamide can: 

• Reduce the appearance or dark spots

• Lessen skin redness and blotchiness

• Decrease skin yellowness

• Decrease oil production

Overall, niacinamide can give you a more even skin tone. If you have oily skin, niacinamide can also help you control oil production. Plus, niacinamide helps strengthen your natural skin barrier, which nourishes and strengthens your skin. 

How do you use niacinamide and vitamin C together?

You can use hyaluronic acid and vitamin C together in one combined product. Or you can use them as separate serums. 

Both can be used in the morning or evening. But it’s best to use vitamin C products as part of your morning skincare routine to protect against free radicals you encounter during the day, like sunlight and smoke. 

Apply vitamin C to clean, dry skin as the first serum if you’re layering products. Below are some more examples of how to use these products.

Morning skincare routine

In the morning, use your skincare products in the following order:

1. Cleanser

2. Vitamin C product

3. Niacinamide product

4. Moisturizer

5. Sunscreen

Evening skincare routine

In the evening, use your skincare products in the following order:

1. Cleanser

2. Retinol

3. Niacinamide 

4. Other skincare products

5. Moisturizer

When layering skincare products, keep this general tip in mind: apply thinner serums first, and wait 2 minutes between products to allow your skin to absorb them. 

What are the risks of mixing niacinamide and vitamin C?

Niacinamide and vitamin C can be safely used together. But both can cause mild side effects like skin redness, burning, and itching. Using them together may increase the risk of skin irritation.

Before applying any new skincare products to your face, do a “skin test.” The American Academy of Dermatology recommends testing new products on a small, covered patch of skin where the product won’t accidentally rub off. Apply a small amount of the product on your test site twice daily for 7 to 10 days. If you don’t develop redness, itch, or swelling, the product should be safe to use on your face.

When using multiple products, start with one new product at a time. Make sure your skin can tolerate any new product before adding another. 

How long will it take to see results from niacinamide and vitamin C?

The American Academy of Dermatology states that it takes at least 6 weeks, and sometimes up to 3 months, to see the maximum results from daily use of vitamin C and niacinamide. But using products every day may help you see benefits faster.

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Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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