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Niacinamide & Retinol in Skincare: 3 Tips to Using This Combo

Dr. Amy Yuan
| April 27, 2023
Fact-checked by:
Marisa Garshick MD
, Board Certified Dermatologist

Struggling with dark spots, acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles? These pesky skin concerns can make it hard to feel your best, but don't worry! The powerful combination of niacinamide and retinol can work together to reduce their appearance and help you achieve brighter, smoother skin.

Whether you’re new to retinol or a seasoned expert, knowing what active ingredients are safe to layer is critical for your skin health. If you’re targeting acne breakouts, you may wonder, can I use benzoyl peroxide with retinol? We recommend alternating the products between day and night time use, however niacinamide is a different story.

Let’s dive into the multiple skin benefits of niacinamide and retinoids to restore your youthful complexion. To help you get the best possible outcome for your skin concerns, PROVEN Skincare is here to provide customized skincare solutions, containing ingredients like niacinamide and retinol, that are specially formulated to suit your individual needs.

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What is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that can be used on all skin types, even sensitive skin and oily skin. It can be found in foods and supplements, however topical application will provide the most benefits for your skin. Adding niacinamide to your daily skincare regimen may be beneficial to:

The most common form of niacinamide is in a day or night cream. You can use it twice a day, in the morning and night time. It’s also great for blocking the harmful UV rays. But we still recommend you to wear a daily moisturizer with SPF to protect your skin from sun damage.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a powerful ingredient that can improve your skin texture. It’s a form of vitamin A that can exfoliate your skin and boost collagen production. The end result? Smooth, even-toned skin that’s reminiscent of your glory days. However, it can also cause skin irritation and dryness if you use a strong concentration. Work with a board-certified dermatologist or opt for a personalized skincare set that can help your skin get used to retinol.

When used topically, retinol can help:

  • Lighten dark spots and acne scars [4]
  • Promote dead skin cell turnover [5]
  • Improve skin elasticity and firmness [6]
  • Decrease acne breakouts [7]

If you’re not sure when to start using retinol, we encourage people to start using it as early as 25 years old. It’s never too late to start anti-aging skincare, especially with something as great as retinol.

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Your best skin—in 3 simple steps.

Our award-winning AI technology turns millions of scientific data points into a personalized, clinically effective, 3-step regimen that works—for you.

So, Can You Use Niacinamide With Retinol?

The benefits of layering retinol and niacinamide are almost too good to be true. The two ingredients are scientifically proven to be effective treatments for your skin’s health [8]. The best time to layer them is at night. After cleansing your face, apply retinol and then niacinamide to seal in the moisture. Other general tips to consider when you start include:

  • Use a patch test – Before slathering the two ingredients all over your face, do a patch test on your neck to see how your skin reacts. If there’s a burning, tingly sensation, then you should immediately wash it off.
  • Start with a lower concentration – Any new active ingredient should be used with caution. Even if you have severe acne, we recommend starting with a low dosage amount to minimize skin irritation.
  • Alternate days of use – If you’re unsure if your skin is purging or breaking out, then try using niacinamide and retinol on different days. Your skin may go into shock with the new ingredients and maintaining your skin barrier is the most important aspect.

This may seem intimidating, but you don’t have to embark on your skincare journey alone. What’s the right dosage for me? Should I start using niacinamide first before trying retinol? All of these questions can be answered with PROVEN Skincare.

Taking the Guesswork Out of Skincare

Ultimately, using a combination of niacinamide and retinol can be a highly effective way to manage multiple skin issues, such as dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. You’ve gained a better understanding of the benefits and side effects with tips on how to safely incorporate them. Attaining glowing, healthier skin is within arm’s reach.

If you're looking for personalized skincare to address your skin concerns, then look no further than PROVEN Skincare. Our AI-powered technology evaluates your unique skin data and designs customized products featuring key ingredients like niacinamide and retinol to give you maximum results. Try it today and experience the amazing difference personalized skincare can make.


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