In recent years, the world of skin care has undergone some changes. What I mean by this is that we are all more concerned with active skin care ingredients, their benefits for the skin, and the different ways to incorporate them into our daily care routine. For some people, their morning routine may suddenly feel like a chemistry lesson. As knowledgeable as we all become, there is always the danger of exaggerating. That is exactly why we are going to look at whether or not Niacinamide can be used with Benzoyl Peroxide.
For those who are still trying to understand what Niacinamide and Benzoyl Peroxide do for the skin, here is a review of these ingredients and their benefits.
What does Niacinamide do for the skin?
Contains moisturizing properties, ensuring that the skin is able to retain moisture in the skin barrier.
Helps regulate oil production by working with the sebaceous glands, preventing the overproduction of sebum (the natural oil in the skin).
Minimizes the appearance of pores, helping to keep the skin smooth and making pores less noticeable.
Protects the skin from oxidative stress by helping the skin produce more cells. This ensures that environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, and impurities have little impact on the skin.
Fights inflammation and treats acne by reducing the size of inflamed pustules.
These are some examples of what niacinamide does for your skin and the various benefits it can provide. If you want to learn more about niacinamide, check out our dedicated blog post on this clever ingredient here on The Beauty Insiders.
What does benzoyl peroxide do for your skin?
Effectively eliminates bacteria and dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause blemishes and breakouts.
Removes excess sebum from the skin, the natural oil on the surface of the skin.
Fights the appearance of acne scars and helps reduce pigmentation.
Penetrates deep into the pores to help remove excess sebum, impurities, bacteria and other deposits.
You can learn more about benzoyl peroxide in a dedicated blog post on our website.
Can benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide be used together?
Yes, you can use benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide together. In fact, many experts recommend combining a highly effective drying ingredient like benzoyl peroxide with a moisturizing ingredient like niacinamide. Because benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep into the skin, it can sometimes cause irritation and dryness. Niacinamide’s moisturizing properties mean it locks in moisture in the outer layer of the skin, keeping it hydrated and healthy. You will also notice that the results from benzoyl peroxide appear faster.
Should I use niacinamide before or after benzoyl peroxide?
This largely depends on the skincare product that contains these powerful ingredients. It is believed that the best way to apply a product is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest. This prevents thicker formulas from forming a physical barrier on the skin, which prevents thinner products from reaching the areas of the skin that need them.
You will often find niacinamide in products like serums and moisturizers, and they usually have a thick, gel-like consistency. These are usually applied to the skin later in the skincare routine. This is because niacinamide reaches its best results when the formula has a higher water content, making it more absorbent to the skin. As I mentioned earlier, the formula plays a big role in at what stage of your daily routine you use the product.
What Not to Mix with Benzoyl Peroxide?
It is believed that it is best not to mix benzoyl peroxide with other active ingredients like retinol. This is because the individual ingredients can deactivate each other, rendering both unusable. This also applies to other prescription treatments, which should also not be used with benzoyl peroxide. To avoid unwanted side effects, it’s best to leave plenty of time between uses, as this will give the skin enough time to rebalance itself and prepare for the next product.
Which is better, benzoyl peroxide or niacinamide?
Both ingredients work differently on the skin, making it difficult to compare. Both are very effective ingredients if you have oily skin that’s prone to breakouts and blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide penetrates deep into the lower layers of the skin, while niacinamide locks moisture to the outer surface of the skin and the protective barrier. You already know how benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide work together effectively, so you can enjoy the benefits of both powerful ingredients. Don’t forget: If you have any questions about using niacinamide and benzoyl peroxide together, you need to consult a doctor or dermatologist to make sure you’re using the best skincare combination.
Is niacinamide good for acne?
Yes, it is. Those trying to combat acne often turn to highly effective ingredients and formulas. This can cause the skin to become dry, inflamed, and show signs of redness. With the moisturizing benefits of niacinamide, you can keep your skin hydrated and ensure that the protective barrier remains fully functional while oil production is regulated. This oil-regulating ability ensures that acne breakouts are less frequent and more manageable, keeping your skin comfortable.
Why does Niacinamide give me a rash?
Niacinamide works effectively with a variety of skincare ingredients in addition to Vitamin C. This often leads to it being included in some skincare products that contain multiple ingredients. The reason your Niacinamide product is causing a rash may have nothing to do with Niacinamide at all. What often happens is that certain ingredients speed up skin cell turnover and exfoliate the skin, which causes skin detoxification. This is often confused with acne and breakouts. Other ingredients combined with Niacinamide are also comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores, leading to increased breakouts and zits.
