When it comes to powerhouse skincare ingredients, niacinamide and vitamin C are two of the most talked-about. Both boast impressive benefits for the skin, but understanding how they work, their differences, and how to incorporate them into your routine is key to achieving the best results. Below, Ruan Winter from Vitaderm breaks it down.

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin that supports the skin’s barrier, reduces inflammation, and helps with overall skin health. It’s known for its calming and protective properties, making it ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Vitamin C, an antioxidant, is essential for brightening the skin, evening out skin tone, and protecting against environmental damage. It promotes collagen production and helps reduce hyperpigmentation, making it a go-to ingredient for radiant skin.

 

Benefits of Niacinamide and Vitamin C

• Niacinamide:
  • Strengthens the skin barrier
  • Reduces redness and inflammation
  • Controls excess oil production
  • Minimises the appearance of pores
  • Fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• Vitamin C:
  • Brightens and evens skin tone
  • Protects against free radical damage
  • Reduces hyperpigmentation
  • Boosts collagen production
  • Improves skin elasticity

Key differences

While both ingredients help with brightening and evening out skin tone, they differ in how they achieve these results:

• Niacinamide is gentler on the skin and helps regulate oil production, making it ideal for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin.
• Vitamin C actively fights free radicals and boosts collagen, making it especially beneficial for those looking to address early signs of ageing and dullness.

How to use Niacinamide and Vitamin C in your skincare routine

For optimal results, it’s essential to layer these ingredients correctly:

• Morning routine – Start with a vitamin C serum to protect your skin from environmental stressors and promote brightness. Follow up with a niacinamide-infused moisturiser to strengthen your skin barrier and lock in hydration.
• Evening routine: You can use niacinamide in the evening to calm the skin, reduce inflammation, and control oil production overnight.

Can you use Niacinamide with Vitamin C?

Yes! Contrary to past misconceptions, niacinamide and vitamin C can be used together. When layered correctly, they complement each other well – vitamin C brightens and protects, while niacinamide soothes and reinforces the skin barrier.

 

Products from Vitaderm that include these powerhouse ingredients:

The Purifying Treatment Cream comprises three main ingredients: Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid and Jojoba Extract. The product helps to maintain the integrity of the acid-pH of the skin, offering natural resistance against bacterial infection and assisting in clearing blocked pores. Extracts of tea tree and aloe further enhance the anti-inflammatory effect, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and soothed. The formulation also assists in the prevention of ingrown hair following wax treatments. The product should only be applied at night.

 

This Radian-C Serum is a light-weight gel-serum formulated with a new generation Vitamin C in its purest form. Breakthrough technology allows the bio-available Vitamin C to be released into the deeper layers of the skin to brighten the complexion and increase skin radiance and softness. Hyaluronic acid has been added to the formulation to further increase the effectiveness of this serum by boosting skin hydration and minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with regular use. Ideal for all skin types, including oily/acne-prone complexions.

As Winter explains: “Using niacinamide and vitamin C together can create a powerhouse combination for healthier, more resilient skin. It’s about choosing the right formulations that work in harmony with your skin type.”

For more information visit the Vitaderm website