Ask any skincare junkie and they'll tell you that they can't live without their holy vitamin C serum. Take away their food and phone, and they'll be fine. Take away their vitamin C serum, and all hell will break loose. People love vitamin C because of its brightening qualities. This antioxidant promotes collagen production, reduces fine lines and dark spots, and keeps the skin looking youthful. 

What is Niacinamide?

After years of being an absolute favourite, however, vitamin C has close competition - niacinamide (vitamin B). Niacinamide is slowly but surely gaining popularity as the holy grail ingredient because of its god-sent qualities. It is known to even out skin tone, repair and strengthen the skin barrier through the production of ceramides, lock in moisture, and produce an anti-ageing effect. Niacinamide also inhibits excess sebum production, lightens skin discoloration, and is great for those with skin conditions, such as acne and rosacea because of its inflammatory qualities. Basically, regardless of your skin type, you will probably benefit from niacinamide.

What does this mean for those who want to remain loyal to their vitamin C serum, yet want to secretly try niacinamide to see what all the hype is about? Do they have to choose between the two, or can vitamin C and niacinamide be layered? 

Layering Vitamin C and Niacinamide- The Big Secret

To answer the question skincare junkies have so impatiently been waiting for....yes, vitamin C and niacinimide can be layered! Anything that you have read otherwise is just outdated research that shouldn't be paid attention to. 

Back in the 1960s, research showed a negative reaction between niacinamide and vitamin C. It was believed that mixing the two acids could produce nicotinic acid, which can cause itching, redness, and blotchiness on the skin (yikes!). However, the catch is that this reaction only occurs when layering pure ascorbic acid and niacinamide at high temperatures. 

Luckily, modern day skincare formulations are stored at room temperatures. Moreover, most skincare products use relatively stable forms of vitamin C, including ascorbyl palmitate and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, instead of ascorbic acid. 

How to Layer Vitamin C and Niacinamide

Vitamin C and niacinamide work amazingly well together. In fact, it is almost like they were made to pair with each other, like peanut-butter-and-jelly. This powerful combination helps you reap the benefits of both. You can either use vitamin C and niacinamide together in the same product, or use different products and layer them on top of each other. 

While niacinamide is a skin-restoring ingredient that improves the appearance of fine lines, dull skin, and enlarged pores, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental factors, and works as a brightening agent that visibly reduces dark spots and signs of ageing. 

When layered and used together, these ingredients create a powerhouse combination that target wrinkles, uneven skin tone, skin barrier, firmness, dullness, and dark spots. They are perfect for all skin types and together, they promise radiant skin that is smoother and younger-looking. 

The Bottom Line

Niacinamide and vitamin C are both power players in skincare currently. Combining both of them is not only recommended, but it is also a great step towards achieve a brighter complexion. Moreover, since vitamin C (ascorbic acid) occurs naturally in the skin and is a brilliant antioxidant, there is no way that it cannot be compatible with niacinamide. If you have sensitive skin, start by layering these products in either your AM or PM routine, and start with a lower percentage as not to irritate your skin.

Are you ready to experience magic? Good luck!