Niacinamide and retinol are two super ingredients found in skin care products that can be used to treat acne as well as uneven skin tone. Some people utilize them independently, but others mix them so that they can enjoy the benefits of both at the same time.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that is an important form of vitamin B3 or niacin. Also referred to as nicotinamide. Niacinamide, an essential vitamin, cannot be produced by the body, hence it must be obtained through the diet.
Niacinamide is now in a lot of skincare products so that the skin can get some of its benefits directly. People who are looking for niacinamide in a skincare product shouldn’t confuse it with niacin, which would be completely different from the same chemical.
Niacinamide Benefits
- Improves Skin Tone: Niacinamide face serum is something you should think about using if you have any spots, freckles, or dark patches on your skin. It is believed that niacinamide, when present in certain amounts, has the ability to inhibit the enzyme that is responsible for the production of pigmentation, also known as melanin, and so enhance skin tone.
- Clear Complexion: Niacinamide may help reduce breakouts by balancing the production of oil and sebum in the skin’s sebaceous glands. Then there’s the fact that it’s an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It is also called an anti-inflammatory. Niacinamide can calm acne spots and stop the redness that comes with them.
- High Stressors: UV rays, environmental damage, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and other things can all cause free radicals, which are unstable molecules that harm skin tissue and speed up the aging process. Niacinamide face serum can protect the skin from this harm or even reverse some of it because it has antioxidant properties.
- Skin Hydration: It is at this point that the “best buddy” role of niacinamide comes into play. When used in conjunction with popular moisturizing components like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, it can improve the product’s ability to moisturize the skin. In addition to decreasing water loss, niacinamide can also assist to strengthen the skin’s barrier, making it less sensitive to irritants.
- Less Irritation: The ability of niacinamide face serum to promote the use of potentially irritating anti-aging treatments that increase skin cell turnover is one of the benefits of using niacinamide. Niacinamide usage has the ability to calm the skin and reduce any irritation that may be brought on by the use of more powerful exfoliants. Since it can also reduce inflammation and redness, niacinamide is safe to use even on skin that is extremely sensitive.
What is Retinol?
Another prominent ingredient in 2020 was retinol, a derivative of vitamin A described as “the ingredient for anti-aging. Cell turnover and collagen and elastin synthesis are both increased by retinoids. It works to decrease the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as improve the texture and tone of the skin.
Retinol Benefits
- Retinol Clears Skin: Do you have acne that won’t go away despite your efforts to treat it? For some, Retinol may be exactly what the doctor ordered. By unclogging pores, Retinol prevents future outbreaks and clears the skin. Acne scars are less common when there is less acne, to begin with.
- Fight Signs of Aging: Retinol is among the most widely utilized and well-researched anti-aging ingredients on the market, so you can relax. In the 1970s, retinol was first promoted as an acne treatment, but it quickly became known for its anti-aging properties.
- Evens Skin Tone: Retinol’s “exfoliating” impact is just one of the many notable features of this ingredient, which increases the turnover of skin cells. Skin that is dull and dry will eventually be replaced by new skin that is brighter and has a more even tone. This new skin will have higher levels of collagen and elastin. The thicker skin is healthier, more wrinkle-free, and has fewer overall defects than the thinner skin. Therefore, even skin that is considered to be “problem-free” might benefit from the radiating effects of retinol.
- Reduce Acne: It is quite beneficial in bringing acne under control and can help normalize the functioning of oil glands and the follicles that are associated with them.
Retinol Vs Niacinamide
Retinol and niacinamide both have beneficial effects on the skin and can reduce the symptoms of several skin conditions. There are three big differences, though:
1. In general, retinol has a higher potency than Niacinamide.
2. Niacinamide does not make you feel bad like retinol does.
3. Retinol can only get into the top layer of your skin. Niacinamide goes deeper into your skin than retinol.
Can they be used together?
Yes, this is especially true given that niacinamide has the ability to keep the skin hydrated. Because retinol is known to aggravate dryness and irritation in the skin, combining these two ingredients may actually be beneficial to your complexion.
But if you can get the same benefits from both, you might want to just use niacinamide, which is better for your skin’s health and strength in general. If either ingredient in your skincare causes side effects, you should talk to your doctor right away.
The Bottomline
Treatments for aging skin indications, acne, and hyperpigmentation, which can lead to dark spots, commonly combine the use of retinol and niacinamide.
Both niacinamide and retinol make new skin cells, but retinol does so by breaking down the skin barrier, while niacinamide does so by making the skin barrier stronger.
Retinol works by getting into the top layer of skin and causing cells to die and grow back. Retinol often has bad side effects, like making the skin more sensitive and irritated.
Niacinamide works better than retinol because it goes deeper into the skin and helps rebuild new skin cells and keratin. It also makes the skin’s natural lipid barrier stronger, which improves how well it works.
Both can be used concurrently; however, you may find that supplementing your skincare routine with a nourishing peptide moisturizer is helpful, particularly when using retinol on a regular basis.
