Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

If you were wondering if you can use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid together in the same skincare routine, the good news is that YES, you can. While both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid (HA) offer their own benefits for the skin, by layering them in the same skincare routine, you’ll gain the benefits of both of these effective skincare ingredients.

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can help strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, among other benefits. Hyaluronic acid draws water to the skin and helps keep it there, which means more hydrated skin.

Using both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together will help smooth and brighten your complexion while also hydrating your skin.

But first, what are all of the benefits of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?

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  • The Benefits of Niacinamide
  • The Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
  • The Benefits of Using Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid in the Same Skincare Routine
  • How to Layer Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
  • Niacinamide Skincare Product Picks
  • Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
  • The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
  • Hyaluronic Acid Skincare Product Picks
  • La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
  • The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
  • 2-in-1 Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Products
    • PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
    • Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster
  • Final Thoughts on Using Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid

The Benefits of Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that offers many benefits for the skin.

It helps strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which can prevent dryness and irritation. Niacinamide is a good choice to help strengthen the skin barrier when using other potent actives like retinol or exfoliating acids.

Niacinamide increases cell turnover. Removing dead skin cells helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also helping to smooth out skin texture.

Niacinamide also helps balance sebum production, which can reduce acne and breakouts. This study found that 4% niacinamide gel had comparable results to 1% clindamycin gel in the treatment of acne.

In addition, niacinamide has brightening benefits and helps fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. It does so by reducing melanin production in the skin.

Niacinamide can be beneficial for sensitive skin since niacinamide is non-irritating and can even help skin issues such as rosacea.

As you can see from the listed benefits of niacinamide, this multi-tasking ingredient can be appealing to many different skin types, from mature, sensitive, and dry skin to oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.

The Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid

You may be reluctant to mix hyaluronic acid (HA) and other skincare ingredients when you hear the word acid, but have no fear of hyaluronic acid. It is not very acidic like many exfoliating acids (i.e., glycolic acid or lactic acid). In fact, HA is usually formulated in a very close range to the skin’s natural pH.

Hyaluronic acid has a unique structure that allows it to attract up to 1000 times its weight in water, so using hyaluronic acid products will help hydrate your skin.

Hyaluronic acid helps your skin to hold onto its natural moisture so that even after cleansing, the skin still feels soft and smooth.

Hyaluronic acid can temporarily reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines and improve skin texture by plumping the skin.

Related Post: Is Hyaluronic Acid Good For Acne?

The Benefits of Using Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid in the Same Skincare Routine

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

While you can certainly use one in the morning and the other in the evening, you can easily apply niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together in the same routine, both morning and evening.

By using niacinamide and hyaluronic acid in the same skincare routine, you’ll get double the moisturizing benefits, as niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid attracts moisture. This makes it ideal for those with dry and very dry skin.

Both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid offer benefits for aging and mature skin by helping to reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines and reduce skin dullness.

Let’s not forget those with combination, oily, and acne-prone skin. While these skin types may be dealing with excess oil production, they still need moisture, so hyaluronic acid provides a moisturizing boost while niacinamide helps regulate sebum (oil) production.

How to Layer Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid

Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can be layered in the same skincare routine for multiple benefits. Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are usually formulated at around the same pH (between 5.0 and 7.0).

Both are water-soluble, so you don’t need to worry about applying a water-based product before an oil-based product.

The good news is that there is no definitive order that they should be applied. Just apply based on the product type that you are using (i.e., serum or moisturizer).

If both are the same product type (i.e., niacinamide and hyaluronic acid serums), you can apply niacinamide first for its anti-aging, brightening, and barrier-repair benefits OR hyaluronic acid first for its plumping and hydrating benefits.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to take into consideration product thickness and texture. As a general rule of thumb, apply products with the thinnest consistency first and then follow with products that are thicker in consistency.

For a basic skincare routine, after cleansing, follow with a toner, then serum, moisturizer, and in the AM, sunscreen.

Niacinamide Skincare Product Picks

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% is formulated with 12% niacinamide and 2% zinc PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid). These ingredients are usually paired together as they both help control sebum activity.

Niacinamide works to help brighten the skin naturally, and zinc PCA helps regulate sebum production (which is great for oily skin). The serum helps to improve the look of pores, skin texture and fine lines, and uneven skin tone.

This affordable niacinamide serum purifies congested skin and can even be used by those with sensitive skin.*

*Regardless of your skin type, it is a good idea to patch test new products before applying them to your face for the first time.

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is both budget-friendly and effective. It contains 10% niacinamide and 1% zinc PCA (pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) to reduce visible sebum (oil) activity.

This water-based serum helps to reduce the look of blemishes, enlarged pores, and textural irregularities.

This serum is a no-brainer for those with oily and acne-prone skin due to its ability to reduce oil and shine, plus how helpful it is in reducing the look of acne and breakouts. You also get anti-aging and skin barrier support too.

Hyaluronic Acid Skincare Product Picks

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum contains two types of hyaluronic acid, madecassoside, and vitamin B5 (panthenol), which strengthens the moisture barrier on both your face and neck.

Hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant and helps the skin maintain moisture. Madecassoside is derived from the Centella Asiatica plant, known for its healing and soothing properties. It can even block pigmentation formation from UV exposure.

Panthenol (provitamin B5) soothes and moisturizes the skin. La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water contains minerals, trace elements, and the antioxidant selenium. Glycerin moisturizes, and vitamin E offers antioxidant benefits.

This hyaluronic acid serum targets fine lines, loss of volume (sagging skin), and elasticity. It is ideal for dehydrated and dry skin and can even be used by sensitive skin, as it is formulated for all skin types.

The rich serum leaves your skin very hydrated and plumped. Plus, it’s oil-free and is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum is a pure, vegan hyaluronic acid formula that combines low-, medium- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid plus a next-generation HA crosspolymer (all at a 2% concentration) for hydration that reaches multiple levels of your skin.

Panthenol (vitamin B5) is included in the formula to improve surface skin hydration. The formula also contains glycerin for added moisture.

The texture is rich and hydrating. It locks in moisture for all skin types, especially dry, dehydrated and flaky skin.

If layering with either of these recommended hyaluronic acid products, give them a few minutes to dry down before applying additional skincare products or makeup. Otherwise, your skin may stay a little tacky/sticky.

2-in-1 Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Products

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum

If you want to simplify your skincare routine but still reap the benefits of both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, consider using a product that contains both of these actives.

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum is formulated with sodium hyaluronate (the salt form of hyaluronic acid) and niacinamide. This combination plumps skin to reduce the look of puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

It hydrates in three different ways: on the surface, deeper in the skin, and by boosting the skin’s own hyaluronic acid production.

For the ultimate in hydration, the serum contains hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid for multiple levels of skin hydration.

HA-Pro Complex is PCA Skin’s proprietary blend that helps stimulate the skin’s own production of hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration.

The serum also contains phytosphingosine, a lipid found in the skin with antibacterial benefits and can even help with acne. Hydrolyzed yeast extract moisturizes the skin.

Niacinamide helps reduce redness and improve the skin’s barrier function while brightening and smoothing the look of wrinkles and fine lines. The serum also contains ceramides that hydrate the skin and support a healthy skin barrier.

Please note that this serum contains rosemary leaf oil which may be an issue for sensitive skin.

Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster

Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid The Ordinary

For a more affordable option containing both actives, Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster serum combines 10% niacinamide with sodium hyaluronate (the salt form of hyaluronic acid) ascorbyl glucoside, a vitamin C derivative, and multiple antioxidants to hydrate, brighten, and protect the skin.

Antioxidants in the formula include ubiquinone, epigallocatechin gallate, carnosine, genistein, and ascorbyl glucoside. Licorice extract helps brighten the skin, while allantoin soothes the skin.

Acetyl glucosamine is a precursor of hyaluronic acid and aids in hydration. It may even help reduce wrinkles. Glycerin and beta-glucan moisturize the skin.

The stand-out quality of this serum is its lightweight water-like consistency. It absorbs into the skin so quickly and leaves skin soft and smooth without interfering with other skincare products or your makeup. Highly recommended.

Final Thoughts on Using Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid

Using niacinamide and hyaluronic acid alone will provide multiple benefits for your skin, but using them together can supercharge your skin’s hydration level and provide other skin benefits, including anti-aging and acne-related benefits.

Thanks for reading, and until next time, here’s to your good skin health!

Related Posts on Using Actives Together:

  • Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C?
  • Can You Use Niacinamide with Retinol?
  • Can You Use Niacinamide with Vitamin C?
  • Can You Use Salicylic Acid with Niacinamide?
  • Can You Use Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide Together?
  • Can You Use Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid Together?

Can I use niacinamide with hyaluronic acid the ordinary?

One of our fave combos is combining niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together before applying them to the skin. For those wondering "Can you use lactic acid and niacinamide together?", yes you can!

What goes first the ordinary hyaluronic acid or niacinamide?

Hyaluronic acid and Niacinamide are a great pair as both are water-based treatments. When used together, always go with applying hyaluronic acid first, followed by Niacinamide. By following this, you would be able to attract plenty of hydration first.

Is it good to mix hyaluronic acid and niacinamide?

Can I use niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together? Yes, you can indeed! Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide deliver impressive hydrating benefits for the skin.