Can You Use Niacinamide with Retinol?

In this article:
The benefits of using niacinamide and retinol together
How can you incorporate both into your skin care routine?
How to use niacinamide and retinol together
How often can retinol and niacinamide be used together?
Side effects of using retinol and niacinamide

Let’s answer this right away: yes, retinol and niacinamide can be used together. In fact, doing so puts skin on the fast track for impressive results. Many dermatologists recommend their combined use due to the way niacinamide keeps skin calm while retinol works its wrinkle-fighting magic. Research shows that these two ingredients work in different yet complementary ways to overturn signs of ageing while addressing other issues like enlarged pores and uneven skin tone (1,2).

The benefits of using niacinamide and retinol together

Niacinamide and retinol are both superstar ingredients that are incredibly effective on their own, however using them together offers unique benefits due to the way niacinamide strengthens skin’s barrier while simultaneously calming reactivity in skin (3). This helps skin be more receptive to retinol without the irritating effects that some people may experience with it (4,5).

Niacinamide benefits skin by stimulating its natural production of beneficial fatty acids and ceramides, which reinforces retinol's benefit of improving the look and feel of skin’s surface. Each bio-active ingredient works in different ways to normalise pore function, which helps skin double down on oil control and minimise enlarged pores.

These ingredients also do an amazing job of neutralising the damaging effects of environmental stressors that try to invade skin (6). When this damage is offset, each ingredient can work more effectively. Both take unique pathways to improve uneven skin tone and brighten dull skin—even more reason to use them in tandem!

Simply put, using these ingredients together strengthens the benefits each provides.

How can you incorporate both into your skin care routine?

The best part about using both powerhouse ingredients in your skin care routine is that doing so is simple. There are no set rules about using both together, meaning you can customise your routine to use each in the way that makes the most sense for you.

Retinol and niacinamide are both formulated into different product types; most commonly serums, boosters and other treatments. Simply find the best retinol products and niacinamide products and incorporate them into your skin care routine. You should also know, there’s no need to wait between applying both ingredients. These ingredients “play well” with others and won’t deactivate each other.

While this combination works great for a lot of people, pay close attention to how your skin responds. If you find that your skin becomes red, flaky, or feels uncomfortable, you may need to decrease the frequency of application or move down to lower concentrations of the bio-active ingredients.

For example, 1% retinol is considered high strength, so if you’re new to using it, begin with a more moderate strength, meaning retinol content below 0.5%. (Chances are if you don’t see a percentage listed on the product’s bottle, it falls somewhere in the low-to-moderate strength range.) If your skin’s reactivity persists, this combo just might not be for you.

How to use niacinamide and retinol together

• Start with clean, towel-dried skin (and if you use a toner and/or exfoliant, complete these steps first).
• You can use two separate products individually or use one formula that combines these powerhouse ingredients, such as a niacinamide and retinol cream. Either method works, so see what your skin prefers.
• If you’re layering two different products, apply the one with the thinnest/lightest texture first.
• For daytime, follow with a moisturizer with SPF.

How often can retinol and niacinamide be used together?

Retinol and niacinamide can be used together up to twice daily – but as mentioned above, listen to what your skin has to “say”! If you’re new to both active ingredients, for instance, you might prefer to start slowly, using only one at a time until you can accurately gauge how your skin responds. From there, you can see what strengths work best for your skin type (particularly in the case of retinol).

You can also use your other favourite retinoids (like retinaldehyde and retinyl propionate) alongside niacinamide up to twice daily. Follow the same skin guidelines above, such as monitoring skin’s response and working your way up to daily usage.

Once you’ve dialed in your skin’s response to retinol and niacinamide on their own, you can start combining them to get the amazing results that using both can yield. You can also alternate products with these ingredients between day and night if that’s something you prefer. As we like to say, experimentation is key, especially when it comes to creating a just-for-you skin care routine to fit all your skin’s needs.

Side effects of using retinol and niacinamide

Both retinol and niacinamide are safe to use and generally well-tolerated, but as bioactive ingredients, there can be some side effects.

Niacinamide can cause a flushing effect for some people (7). This is due to free niacin within some forms of niacinamide causing blood vessels in skin to expand. Special purified versions of niacinamide – such as what Paula’s Choice Skincare uses – contain a lower amount of free niacin, reducing the likelihood of this response.

As for retinol, in some people its use can cause sensitivity, redness and peeling, which is why we recommend trying lower strengths first to gauge skin’s response (8). In the end, determining which strength of these two ingredients to use is all about experimentation to see how best to incorporate them into your routine.

Learn more about skin care ingredients.

Read more about our editorial mission.

References for this information:
1. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, February 2021, pages 102–106
2. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, July 2016, pages 863-868
3. Cosmeceuticals and Cosmetic Practice, November 2013, pages 103-112
4. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, September 2004, pages 231-238
5. Clinical Interventions in Aging, December 2006, pages 327-348
6. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, February 2010, pages 22-41
7. International Journal of Clinical Practice, September 2009, pages 1369-1377
8. Toxicological Research, March 2010, pages 61–66