Both retinol and niacinamide are widely used in skincare products. Each component can lessen the effects of aging, treat acne and skin imperfections, and even out skin tone.
You might be curious if combining niacinamide and retinol could increase their potency and safety if you currently use a product containing one of these chemicals. After all, certain ingredients don’t combine well with others.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into niacinamide vs. retinol and consider if it makes sense to mix them as part of your skincare routine.
What is Niacinamide?
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a water-soluble form of niacin (vitamin B3). It’s one of the eight B vitamins that are essential for good health. Niacinamide is not the same as niacin, despite their names being similar [1]. Both of these forms of vitamin B3 are different.
However, the niacin supplements you’ve taken can help your body produce niacinamide. This happens when the body has an excessive amount of niacin. Another way that the production of niacinamide happens is through tryptophan.
Niacinamide aids in DNA repair and inflammation treatment in the body. Additionally, it boosts cellular energy, allowing your cells to carry out necessary chemical processes. Let’s explore other benefits of niacinamide in the body, especially in the skin.
Benefits of Niacinamide
Niacinamide offers added benefits when used topically. It frequently helps manage rosacea, sun damage, itching, hyperpigmentation, acne, autoimmune diseases with blisters, and wrinkles. This is why niacinamide is often a better option when choosing a product to help hyperpigmentation or uneven skin.
Additionally, niacinamide regulates nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), a protein involved in inflammation, according to a review published in 2014 [2]. This anti-inflammatory effect of the NF-kB helps to relieve skin irritation and redness.
Meanwhile, the activity of cells that create sebum, an oily, waxy substance made by your body’s sebaceous glands, is also reduced, according to a 2017 study [3]. As a result, there can be a reduction in acne breakouts and sebum production.
What is Retinol?
One of the most popular ingredients in skin care products is retinol. Retinol is an over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid that comes from vitamin A. Additionally, retinol is generally used to treat acne and signs of skin aging. Let’s look at other benefits of retinol, especially in the skin. But retinol is linked to adverse effects, unlike niacinamide. It is known to irritate and inflame the body, which could lead to skin tightness, redness, burning sensation, peeling and dryness, and photosensitivity which can cause rashes or sunburn.
Benefits of Retinol
Retinoids, which also include retinol, work in different ways. Retinoids prevent acne by lowering sebum production, based on a 2017 study [3].
A 2015 study discovered that retinol could stop the enzymes responsible for collagen deterioration [4]. In turn, this might facilitate an increase in collagen production. This resulted in stronger skin and wrinkles look less prominent.
Niacinamide vs. Retinol – Their Benefits Together
There are several benefits to combining niacinamide and retinol in a single product or as part of your skincare routine.
Niacinamide and retinoic acid (RA), which is what retinol is converted to once it is in your skin, was tested in a previous lab study from 2008 to see how they worked together [5]. In the study, niacinamide reduces the dryness and irritation caused by RA.
In addition, a 2017 research showed that retinol creams, including moisturizing ingredients, such as niacinamide, were less irritating than those that only included retinol [6].
Furthermore, niacinamide and retinol-containing formulations have been shown in studies to have positive effects on the skin. A retinol lotion including niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and resveratrol enhanced skin tone and signs of skin aging, according to a 2016 study [6].
Niacinamide vs. Retinol – Which is Better for Acne Scars?
Although getting rid of acne scars might be a long process, with patience and the right ingredient, the results will be worthwhile.
Over time, retinol helps the skin’s look and texture improve. It functions as an exfoliant with tiny molecules that penetrate deep into the skin to combat free radicals and speed up cell turnover. This is why for this reason, retinol is a better component to improve acne scars. Because it creates new skin cells to replace old ones, skin cell turnover is crucial for reducing the appearance of acne scars.
Are there any side effects of using Niacinamide and Retinol together?
There haven’t been any reported side effects of combining niacinamide and retinol to date. The combination is normally considered to be safe for most skin types.
Even so, it is still possible to get a negative reaction, especially if you are retinol sensitive. Niacinamide may not be adequate to control how your skin reacts. Several factors may contribute to any chance of side effects, including your skin type, the ingredient concentration, and other chemicals included in the product you are using.
Bottomline: Niacinamide vs. Retinol
Niacinamide is a mild skin care component that helps reduce wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes. Meanwhile, retinol is great in improving the appearance of acne scars.
It is safe to combine these two ingredients, and doing so may make retinol easier to apply on the skin. Niacinamide helps hydrate the skin, lowering the likelihood of retinol irritating it.
You can use retinol and niacinamide separately or together in a single product. Follow the product’s instructions carefully and refrain from using it more frequently than recommended for best results.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Niacinamide. (2022, November 7). Susan G. Komen®. https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/survivorship/complementary-therapies/niacinamide/
- Wohlrab J, Kreft D. Niacinamide – mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(6):311-5. doi: 10.1159/000359974. Epub 2014 Jun 27. PMID: 24993939.
- Sacchidanand SA, Lahiri K, Godse K, Patwardhan NG, Ganjoo A, Kharkar R, Narayanan V, Borade D, D’souza L. Synchronizing Pharmacotherapy in Acne with Review of Clinical Care. Indian J Dermatol. 2017 Jul-Aug;62(4):341-357. doi: 10.4103/ijd.IJD_41_17. PMID: 28794543; PMCID: PMC5527713.
- Rong Kong PhD,Yilei Cui PhD,Gary J. Fisher PhD,Xiaojuan Wang BS,Yinbei Chen MS,Louise M. Schneider BS,Gopa Majmudar PhD. (2015, November 18). A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin. Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.12193
- Song, X. (2008, August 1). Nicotinamide attenuates aquaporin 3 overexpression induced by retinoic acid through inhibition of EGFR/ERK in cultured human skin keratinocytes. https://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijmm/22/2/229
- David H McDaniel MD,Christopher Mazur BS,Mitchell S Wortzman PhD,Diane B Nelson RN, MPH. (2017, August 17). Efficacy and tolerability of a double-conjugated retinoid cream vs 1.0% retinol cream or 0.025% tretinoin cream in subjects with mild to severe photoaging. Wiley Online Library. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12381
