Can You Use Salicylic Acid With Niacinamide?
Written By Anna Wilkinson. Updated: September 2024.
Provided by BeautyClover (Photo: iStock by Getty Images).
Introduction
Salicylic acid and niacinamide are two very different ingredients that can be used in the same skincare routine. Both of these ingredients can help treat acne, but they work in different ways.
Salicylic acid is an exfoliant, while niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and improve skin elasticity. So how do they work together in your skincare routine? Will combining them cause any side effects? Let’s find out!
Table of Contents.
What is salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which is something that you may have already heard about or read about in other articles on this site. BHAs are common ingredients found in many skin care products and can be used to treat acne and other skin conditions.
Salicylic acid is also used to treat psoriasis, due to its ability to penetrate the skin’s surface and help clear up extra oil buildup that can cause inflammation.
If you’re not sure what an ingredient like salicylic acid does for your skin, you’re not alone! We’ve got all the information you need right here:
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that can help improve the appearance of skin by reducing redness and inflammation, as well as treating acne and hyperpigmentation.
It’s also an effective ingredient for sensitive skin types because its ability to soothe inflammation makes it less harsh than other anti-aging ingredients such as salicylic acid or retinol.
Both salicylic acid and niacinamide are safe to use in your routine.
You may have heard that niacinamide and salicylic acid can help improve your skin health, but you may be wondering if it is safe to use both of these ingredients in your skincare routine.
The good news is that both niacinamide and salicylic acid are safe to use together and can actually provide some synergistic benefits for your skin.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps to brighten the skin and improves its barrier function. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, is a beta hydroxy acid that helps to exfoliate the skin and unclog pores.
When used together, these two ingredients can help improve the overall appearance of your skin.
If you are concerned about using both niacinamide and salicylic acid together, you can always speak with a dermatologist or other skincare professional to get their opinion on whether this combination is right for you.
What are the benefits of the combination?
Salicylic acid and niacinamide are both beneficial for your skin. Here’s how they work together to improve your complexion:
Reduces acne, hyperpigmentation and redness – Salicylic acid helps treat acne by exfoliating dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause pimples. It also reduces excess oil production on the skin, which can lead to pimples. Niacinamide is an antioxidant that protects against harmful free radicals, improving the complexion by helping to lighten dark spots caused by acne scars or sun damage.
Helps with skin elasticity – The combination of salicylic acid and niacinamide enhances collagen production in the dermis layer of your face (the deepest layer), leading to firmer, smoother skin with less visible fine lines or wrinkles over time.
Anti-inflammatory – Both ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness associated with irritation or inflammation on your face after using products containing them as part of their formulas such as cleansers and moisturizers.
Possible side effects
If you have sensitive skin, be sure to avoid using salicylic acid if you are allergic to aspirin or salicylates. Because of its strong exfoliating properties, this ingredient can irritate even the most resilient of skin types. It may also cause redness, dryness, and irritation if used improperly (more on this later).
To avoid these side effects:
- Always wash your face before applying any product containing salicylic acid
- Use a low concentration of 10% or less on acne-prone areas only—and use sparingly!
- Wait at least 30 minutes after washing your face before applying any product containing salicylic acid
Niacinamide works best at treating hyperpigmentation, acne, and redness.
Niacinamide is an ingredient that’s well-known for its ability to reduce hyperpigmentation, but it also helps with acne and redness. Niacinamide works by reducing inflammation and increasing collagen production. It is important to note that niacinamide does not reduce acne on its own.
You will still need other ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for that purpose.
If you have sensitive skin, you will have to be careful when mixing these two ingredients together.
If you have sensitive skin, you will have to be careful when mixing these two ingredients together. Your best bet is to use a lower concentration of salicylic acid or a lower concentration of niacinamide.
Finally, avoid using both ingredients at the same time (within the same routine) and in the same product.
Use moisturizer and sunscreen in addition to salicylic acid and niacinamide.
In addition to using salicylic acid, you’ll need to incorporate a moisturizer and sunscreen into your routine. Moisturizer can help prevent dry skin and wrinkles, which are common side effects of using topical medications like salicylic acid.
Make sure you apply the moisturizer to all areas of your face—not just around acne spots—to avoid any irritation or redness when you apply the salicylic acid later.
For those with oily skin, look for oil-free formulas that won’t clog pores or cause breakouts; these tend to be lighter in texture and provide more hydration than thicker creams without weighing down the skin.
For dry skin types, try a cream rather than a gel-based formula; heavier gels may leave an oily residue behind if they’re not absorbed fully by the time they’re applied over top of other products such as sunscreen or foundation/concealer (which also have SPF).
Salicylic acid and niacinamide can be combined in your skincare routine.
You can use salicylic acid and niacinamide in your skincare routine.
They can be used in the same product, or you can use them separately on different parts of your face. Either way, we recommend using a moisturizer with these ingredients. It’s also important to wear sunscreen, even if you’re using products with salicylic acid and niacinamide.
The bottom line.
Can you use salicylic acid with niacinamide?
Yes, but be careful. The combination of niacinamide and salicylic acid is typically safe when used together in a well-formulated product. However, the two ingredients can react to form nicotinic acid, a derivative of niacin that causes flushing (skin redness) and is toxic to the liver at high doses. When using these ingredients together:
Use a moisturizer on top of your serum or cream containing salicylic acid and niacinamide. This will help prevent irritation caused by dryness associated with using products with both ingredients.
Wear sun protection every day while using this combination because it may increase sensitivity to UV rays, which could lead to sunburns or even skin cancer in those who are very fair-skinned.