That's not good news for our hair and skin. Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn). That being said, niacinamide is a great skincare ingredient that delivers a litany of benefits (it's an effective skin-soother and moisturizer, just to name a few) so it is still worth working into your routine. All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. Can You Use Niacinamide and Hydroquinone at the Same Time? "Basic science but oil and water do not mix,' explains By Lisa de-la-Plain, Professional Beauty Therapist and Co-founder of Beauty Flash. Exceeding that could result in liver toxicitysymptoms include skin flushing and/or tingling, nausea, and vomiting. If you want to get rid of your hyperpigmentation faster than topical treatments can provide on their own, then combining them with an injection may be the best way forward for you. You can also obtain a prescription, custom-compounded dark spot formula without a trip to the dermatologist through Agency, an option Allure's contributing editor Devon Abelman swears by for clearing up her skin. Injections are more effective in terms of results, but they also tend to cost more money and may require multiple visits for treatment. "Once you have achieved your desired results, stop using hydroquinone daily and only use it if the hyperpigmentation reappears," says Aegean Chan, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Barbara, California. The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is an ideal choice for anyone with sensitive and combination skin. "If a certain ingredient leads to skin irritation on its own, you should definitely not use it with other potentially irritating ingredients," she explains. Look for 3-5%, that is what has been used in actual studies in literature. These formulas won't leave you high and dry. Retinols can also protect hydroquinone from oxidation, which can cause it to degrade. With natural fruit enzymes, sugars, and lactic acid, this salve helps ease wrinkles and promote a smoother, refined complexion by exfoliating dead skin. What are the cons of mixing Vitamin C and Acids? Overview. Niacinamide and retinol work in different yet complementary ways. Prolonged sun exposure is bad news for your skin no matter which products you are using, especially so with powerful exfoliating actives. What are the cons of mixing retinol and acne treatments? Last updated 11 November 20, By Fiona McKim Is it okay to use hydroquinone and niacinamide together? Dr. Marylyne Ghati is a leading expert in the field of clean beauty and skincare. If youre looking for a moisturizer with niacinamide, you may want to check out CeraVe PM Face Moisturizer ($16), and Dr. Zampella also recommends The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum ($6). The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% | RRP: $6.50/5.50. "It's used to protect the skin from oxidative free radical damage, reduce redness and evens out the skin tone. Ad Choices, The Potential Niacinamide Benefits You Should Know About. "Hydroquinone can irritate dry or sensitive skin, especially in high concentrations or if used with other skincare products that contain acids or physical exfoliants," says dermatologist Harvey Ng. If niacinamide is involved in most important cell functions, then theres nothing it cant cure, right? Find the nearest dermatologist or skin clinic with Beauty Insider Guide. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. By Emma Shacklock The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Using fluocinolone, hydroquinone, and tretinoin topical during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. Also, giving your skin breaks from actives is incredibly important, Chan adds. Also, remember salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are always a viable pairing. All patients showed pigment improvement with both treatments. There was a problem. Dry skin lacks sebum oil, so it requires oil-based products to calm. In 1982, the US FDA cleared hydroquinone as safe and effective for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Finally, if your skin is dry and flaky (or combination but predominantly dry), then its important to use caution when applying either niacinamide or hydroquinone since both of them contain drying agents which could exacerbate existing dryness issues on top of making existing pimples worse by creating an imbalance within their oil production system (sebum). Apply hydroquinone after washing off your makeup at night; this will help prevent any irritation caused by mixing the two ingredients together during the day. However, it does add a significant boost . How Long Does Purging From Niacinamide Last? SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. How Often Should You Apply This Treatment To Your Face To Get Results? "Combining these ingredients doesn't lead to irritation or over-exfoliation, keeping the skin barrier healthy," Shirazi explains. This combination isn't an absolute no-no but you need to be careful. Whether you use an acid toning lotion, peel mask or grainy scrub, exfoliators work by encouraging dry and dead skin cells to be removedso that your brand new, baby soft skin can shine through. Based on the available evidence, well-studied options like prescription retinoids (and sunscreen!) Niacinamide sounds like a beauty brands chemistry-lab invention (just us? Yes, you can mix niacinamide with retinol, and in fact, doing so will put your skin on the fast track for impressive results. This topic presents an overview of treatments for melasma that can be used as part of a comprehensive . Brightening ingredients that play well with acid exfoliators are niacinamide and tranexamic acid, Brightening treatments often contain exfoliating acids like glycolic and lactic, Double exfoliation can cause sensitivity, and weaken our protective barrier, Gentler skin-clearing ingredients can work well in tendem with retinol, Look for PHA acids, which gently exfoliate and have humectant qualities so draw moisture into the skin, Acne treatments containing salicylic acid can be very drying, as can retinol, Another popular spot treatment, benzoyl peroxide, has been shown in studies to deactivate retinol. Up your dose of daily vitamins by using C + E together in your skincare. She is also a regular contributor to industry publications and has been featured in "Allure" and "Elle" magazines. Its a non sensitizing active (doesnt exfoliate and doesnt need low pH). Use hydroquinone for more stubborn blemishes: marks that havent faded after several months, or recurring or persistent pigmentation. From acids to retinols, here are the reasons it pays to know which skincare ingredients you should and should not mix. Hydroquinone works by interfering with the skin cells' production of melanin; it blocks the creation of skin pigment. Heres how it works. About to have a baby? Dr. Amin gives you the green light to use niacinamide for skin care every day, particularly in a daytime moisturizer. 2023 Cond Nast. Read More: Just be sure not to overdo it: too much niacinamide can cause flushing, while too much hydroquinone can cause irritation. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Vitamin B3 in general is found in a variety of dietary sources, including poultry, legumes, and eggs. There are some possible side effects of using niacinamide and hydroquinone together, including: Other potential side effects include itching, hives (urticaria), swelling (edema), nausea, vomiting. 0 items in cart - $0.00, All Products | Active Ingredients That Work | News | Blog | About | Sale. ", "Skin can be dry or it can be dehydrated and treatment for these two issues are different from one another. We speak of "hat head," static, and dryness. Make sure you check the label on purchase so you know youre not going to miss out on the benefits the product can offer.". You can safely use it twice daily, once you build up your tolerance. Does It Matter What Type of Skin You Have When Using These Products Together? In this comprehensive guide, you'll find everything you need to know about the most in-demand (and under-the-radar) ingredients in your favorite skin-care products. Reason being: Benzoyl peroxide can oxidize and degrade tretinoin, Chan notes. Use your vitamin C serum first, and let it dry. USE TOGETHER: Use with Olay Skin Care-Inspired Body Wash to boost effects of Vitamin B3 Complex and moisturizing ingredients; Read more. They may also combine hydroquinone creams with other treatments, so you achieve faster results. Theres also evidence that topical niacinamide can increase the production of ceramides (lipids that help maintain the skins protective barrier), which may contribute to its topical effects on wrinkles, fine lines, and the skins moisture barrier.2 All of this is probably why youre seeing niacinamide listed in a bunch of skin-care products. This Is the Only Hand Cream That Doesnt Inflame My Extraordinarily Dry Skin, 7 Ways to Keep Your Pantry Tidy, Functional, and Slightly Less Chaotic. User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and One of the crucial tips dermatologists share with their patients they prescribe hydroquinone to is avoid merging it with benzoyl peroxide in your skin-care routine. As potent as this stuff is, you can be in control of how powerful it is by following these dos and don'ts to a T. Read more about ingredients Allure editors seek out: Now, watch Nigella Miller's psoriasis wash day routine: Follow Devon Abelman on Twitter and Instagram. Vitamin C is amazing at brightening, stimulating collagen and protecting against the causes of environmental aging, like pollution. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of topical niacinamide versus hydroquinone (HQ) in melasma patients. 16 Best Barrier Repair Products to Replenish Dry, Damaged Skin, 13 Best Vitamin C Creams to Help Reverse Dull, Textured Skin, 13 Best Toners for Dry Skin That'll Moisturize Your Complexion. Things can go wrong (namely, a rare, unwanted side effect called exogenous ochronosis, "which is a paradoxical darkening of the treated skin," Louisiana-based board-certified dermatologist Mamina Turegano, M.D., tells Allure) if you don't meticulously follow the dos and don'ts of hydroquinone, though. 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