We recommend using two or a maximum of three serums at a time to help ensure you're getting the most out of all the ingredients. Anything more and you start to lower the chance that each serum & oil will properly penetrate. Order of application also makes a difference.
We recommend you use no more than two face serums per routine. Again, alternating skin care items is a strategy here. If you have many serums that you like, use one or two in your morning routine and two different serums in the evening.
“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.
Similar to retinol, niacinamide should not be used with acidic skincare ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and even vitamin C. Ordinary niacinamide combined with an acid can cause a bad chemical reaction of redness and flushing.
Niacinamide can be used with hyaluronic acid. They're both water-loving humectants and keep skin hydrated to maintain the protective barrier function of the skin. Both actives are safe to use, less likely to cause irritation and cause no serious side effects when used together.
Don't Mix: Niacinamide and vitamin C. Although they're both antioxidants, vitamin C is one ingredient that's not compatible with niacinamide. "Both are very common antioxidants used in a variety of skincare products, but they should not be used one right after the other," says Dr. Marchbein.
Vitamin C is effectively an acid (it's sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no.
Not only can you use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together, but when you do, they can help create a more effective skincare routine. Each one has skincare benefits, some of which we mentioned, but when combined, they can form a more potent formula that offers increased results.
Order Matters: Serums are applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. If you don't use toner, then apply serum directly after cleansing. Keep It Simple: It's best to layer no more than two serums at a time. Too many layers can possibly prevent the ingredients from absorbing as effectively.
When it comes to serums and oils (or moisturizers), we recommend waiting about a minute between each application. 60 seconds — give or take, gives each product a little time to delve into your skin. Another product that needs a little time to itself is SPF.
Skin brightening, hydrating and collagen boosting, a Vitamin C serum sits firmly in the 'best for AM use' category. This is because Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, which help to mitigate the free radical damage – and subsequent signs of photo-ageing – triggered by UV radiation.
Conclusion. In summary, using the correct order of skincare is critical to maximize their efficacy and creating healthy, radiant skin. After cleansing, proceed with toning, exfoliating, applying essence, serum, eye cream, moisturizing, applying sunscreen, and applying face oil.
Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that helps to hydrate and plump your skin, leaving it looking refreshed and radiant. It is particularly important to use in the morning because it can help to counteract the dehydration caused by your skin's natural overnight water loss.
Vitamin C works best in combination with vitamin E, ferulic Acid, vitamin B, and hyaluronic acid.
What should you not use Vitamin C serum with? While most products work pretty well with Vitamin C, experts recommend against using benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide along with Vitamin C. This is because using these ingredients together reduces their efficacy and does not deliver the desired results.
In order to get the most out of these two ingredients, it's important to apply them in the correct order. Vitamin C is sensitive to air, water, and light, so you want to apply it to clean, dry skin before using hyaluronic acid. Let it completely dry before moving on to the next product.
Nearly across the board, dermatologists recommend incorporating vitamin C serum into your morning routine (as opposed to using it at night). The reason for this recommendation relates to its ability to protect the skin.
Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute
Goldenberg's go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.
People with a history of liver disease, kidney disease, or stomach ulcers should not take niacin supplements.
Gallbladder disease: Niacinamide might make gallbladder disease worse. Kidney dialysis: Taking niacinamide seems to increase the risk of low platelet levels in people with kidney failure who are on dialysis. Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Niacinamide might make ulcers worse.