Dealing with active ingredients always poses a dilemma and can baffle one. As a commonly asked question to dermatologists, we are here to clear your doubts about Niacinamide Vs Hyaluronic Acid, which one is better and more beneficial to use?
These two are prevalent active ingredients, commonly confused for imparting hydration to the skin. Niacinamide has diverse and different properties than Hyaluronic acid. To help you decide, we conversed and gathered all the relevant information from our expert in-house dermatologist.
In This Article
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3, which is a powerful antioxidant ingredient, which protects your skin from harmful and stressful factors like the sun and foreign stressors. Niacinamide smoothens skin, brightens spots, provides even skin tone, firms wrinkles, and helps prevent loss of water in dry skin and the list goes on.
This active ingredient is a multi-acting skincare building block, as compared to hyaluronic acid whose potency is incredible but its properties are not very varied.
This water-soluble vitamin B active ingredient caters multiple benefits including
- Increasing the production of collagen
- Minimizing wrinkles and fine lines
- Fights Acne
- Reduction of inflammation
- Decreases oil & greasiness
- Skin brightening and reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots
- Strengthening skin barrier while hydrating it
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is a magic ingredient!
Hyaluronic Acid is naturally found in the skin, eyes, and joints. This acid is responsible for promoting plumpness and keeping the skin moisturized. However, with age, hyaluronic content starts to deplete. Topical use of hyaluronic acid is demanded by the skin, as we start to age
Hyaluronic Acid is known as a humectant, which draws water molecules from the deeper layers of your skin and provides it to the epidermis of your skin. Hyaluronic Acid is an ultra-hydrating active ingredient, which is a holy grail, for dry and dehydrated skin types. Hyaluronic Acid is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin types.
Although Niacinamide produces a fatty substance, proved to boost the hydrating ability of the skin, Hyaluronic Acid is hands down a better promoter of hydration for the skin. This helps the skin attain good skin health, visibly plumper and better-looking complexion.
To mention a few more, below are the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
- Improves Skin Barrier
- Retains Moisture and Hydrates the skin
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines (mostly transient effects, but they could grow stronger over time)
- Reduces inflammation
- Soothe and calms skin
- Boosts skin elasticity
- Reduces swelling and bacterial development to aid in the healing of wounds.
Niacinamide vs Hyaluronic acid: What to Choose?
It is difficult to comprehend and choose between the two which fall in the best category. Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid, both are unique in their properties. Although both of them have similarities and differences of their own, it is advisable to have them incorporated both regardless of your skin type and skin concern.
Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic Acid, both have anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, hydrating, and strong abilities to keep the skin barrier intact. The major difference however between Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid is that the former is a substance that comes from external sources like meat and fish and the latter is found in the body naturally.
How to Use Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Together in your Skin Routine
Combining Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid really helps drive more value from your skincare routine, providing hydration, smoothness, and a brighter complexion. Here is how you can effectively include both ingredients into your daily skincare routine:
1. Cleanse the Face
Cleanser: Cleanse first with a mild daily face cleanser to remove impurities and allow your skin to more easily absorb the active ingredients that follow. If you are to use Niacinamide combined with Hyaluronic Acid, avoid cleansers with intense exfoliants, as it may disrupt the skin barrier.
2. Apply Hyaluronic Acid First on Damp Skin
Why Damp Skin? The thing is, Hyaluronic Acid works by drawing moisture, so applying it to damp skin really helps lock that hydration in. Gently pat the skin with a towel after cleansing; leave it slightly moist, then apply a Hyaluronic Acid serum.
Layering Tip: If you're using multiple serums, Hyaluronic Acid should always go on first since it's light, water-based, and helps draw in moisture so subsequent products absorb better.
Also Read: How to Choose Face Serum?
3. After Hyaluronic Acid, Apply Niacinamide
Layering Order: Niacinamide can be pretty versatile with most skincare products and can be layered. Just apply this following your Hyaluronic Acid serum, allowing a minute or two of uptake before applying the Niacinamide Serum. This way, your skin is already hydrated and primed for the brightening and anti-inflammatory benefits from the Niacinamide.
AM vs. PM Use: Niacinamide works both for an AM and a PM routine. Applied in the morning, it combines well with sunscreen to help protect the skin from environmental stressors. During the evening, it does the job of repairing and soothing the skin while one is sleeping.
4. Lock It In with a Moisturizer
Moisturizer: Follow up with a good face moisturizer for women and men, after applying Niacinamide to lock in all the actives. Use a lightweight moisturizer if you have oily skin or richer formulas if you have dry skin. Now, this step is very important, especially for dry and dehydrated skin types, as it locks in the hydration that Hyaluronic acid provides.
5. Sun Protection is the Key
Sunscreen: In case you are going to use these ingredients in the morning, do make sure to follow it with a broad-spectrum gel based sunscreen at the end. While niacinamide improves skin barrier function it still has an action on increasing cell turnover process.
Daily Use: For the best results in return, use these ingredients consistently. Both Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid are gentle to be used every day and can be easily added to your routine with no irritation at all. With time, you will definitely find that the texture of your skin has much improved, well-hydrated, and glowing.
6. Adjust Based on Skin Type
Is Hyaluronic Acid or Niacinamide better for Oily skin?
Niacinamide is better for Oily Skin / Combination Skin: It has the added advantage of effectively regulating the production of sebum. Hence, it is quite appropriate for oily or combination skin types. You can use this twice a day to help keep oiliness at bay.
Is Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid better for Dry skin?
Hyaluronic Acid is better for Dry Skin /Sensitive Skin: Well, Hyaluronic Acid is an absolute for dry or sensitive skin. It deeply hydrates without being too heavy. This would pair well with a soothing moisturizer in fighting dryness and irritation.
Benefits and Properties of Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
1. Hydration
Both Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid can help promote hydration. Although there is a significant difference between both. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that retains moisture similar to your NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor,) which improves the hydration properties of your skin. Although Niacinamide promotes the improvement of fatty acids and ceramides.
While choosing products infused with these acids, Hyaluronic acid serums are one of the best picks for your skin. SkinQ’s Hydrate Elixir Serum is a dermatologist-formulated, moisture magnet for the skin. This also has Sodium Hyaluronate, which is a smaller molecule, in comparison to hyaluronic acid. This ensures ultimate hydration to the skin.
2. Improved Texture and ToneThe appearance and feel of the skin improve when we incorporate these ingredients into our skincare regimen. Niacinamide is popular for improving skin tone, while Hyaluronic Acid plumps skin and improves skin texture.
3. Skin BrighteningSkin Brightening fundamentally falls under the properties of Niacinamide. Niacinamide Serums are one of the best finds when looking for it in a product. Apart from the serums, Niacinamide in moisturizers is also a wise pick.
4. Anti-AgingThe Anti-Aging ability of Hyaluronic Acid is proven in various types of research. It is because of the reducing hyaluronic acid in your skin, that there are issues of wrinkles and fine lines. Thus using hyaluronic treats them to a considerable amount. Niacinamide on the other hand improves collagen production which naturally improves the appearance of the skin, making it look much more youthful.
Concluding Points
Both the ingredients are highly effective and potent. Hyaluronic acid serums provide hydration, while Niacinamide serum cures acne, and pores, lightens scars and pigmentation and boosts collagen production. Each ingredient has exclusive properties. Using it individually or together, it will work to tackle your skin issues from within.
To add, while looking for these ingredients in any skincare line, it is crucial to ascertain that it is dermatologist formulated/tested/approved for best results.
FAQ's
Should I use Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid first?
When using Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide in your skincare routine, follow this application order for best results:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Apply Hyaluronic Acid this first as it draws and retains moisture in your skin, creating a hydrated base.
- Niacinamide: Apply Niacinamide this after the Hyaluronic Acid as it balances oil production, minimizes pores, and helps keep moisture locked in.
Even if you use products that combine both ingredients, knowing this order can be helpful for maximizing their benefits. Always do a patch test before using any new skincare products.
Are there any specific concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide that are considered most effective?
For Hyaluronic Acid, concentrations between 0.1% to 2% are effective for hydration, with higher concentrations offering more intense hydration but potentially causing irritation. For Niacinamide, concentrations of 5% to 10% are effective for improving skin texture and addressing hyperpigmentation, while concentrations around 2% can still provide benefits, particularly for sensitive skin types. Individual responses vary, so starting with lower concentrations and gradually increasing is advisable.
Are there any potential side effects of using Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide, and if so, what are they?
Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are usually harmless, but occasional mild side effects can occur. With hyaluronic acid, skin irritation or allergic reactions like redness, itching, or swelling are uncommon but possible. Niacinamide is typically safe, but high concentrations or mixing with other potent ingredients can cause temporary irritation, redness, or dryness. Before using new skin products, do a patch test and introduce them slowly to gauge your skin's response. If any reactions occur that are persistent or severe, discontinue use and consult a skin specialist.
How long does it typically take to see results from using niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?
The results of using niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can vary based on skin type, the products, and how often they're applied. Generally, people see improvements in skin texture and moisture within a few weeks. Over time (weeks to months), skin tone may brighten, appearance may improve, and fine lines or wrinkles may become less visible. To get the best results, it's important to use these ingredients regularly and be patient.