Niacinamide Serum Vs Vitamin C Serum: Which One Should I Use?

Niacinamide and Vitamin C are two popular active ingredients offering major skin benefits. Niacinamide regulates sebum production, unclogs pores and upholds the lipid barrier, among many other things. On the other hand, Vitamin C in your daily routine boosts Collagen production and averts free radicals for the dreamiest skin ever. However, there is one front where Niacinamide and Vitamin C fight for the winning position.  

Intrigued? Scroll ahead to find out which active is the holy grail of brightening 

Before We Decide, Here’s A Refresher On Vitamin C And Niacinamide 

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that is water-soluble. It is abundantly found in eggs, fish, nuts and other poultry. Niacinamide is a versatile active that guarantees the best results without any flareups. 

Vitamin C, on the other hand, is found in citrus foods and potatoes. You can leverage the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Vit C for your daily skincare – more on that later. 

What Are The Benefits Of Niacinamide? 

Before the two ingredients compete for the brightening title, here’s a closer look at the many benefits of Niacinamide-

1. Keeps skin barrier intact: For those unaware, the skin or lipid barrier serves as the first wall of defense for your body. It tactfully prevents pollutants, pathogens, bacteria and other aggressors from entering through the skin. Skincare active Niacinamide plays an important role in maintaining this barrier by boosting the production of Ceramides and Elastin. 

2. Maintains hydration: Niacinamide helps maintain hydration in the skin by preventing TEWL or transepidermal water loss. For extremely dry or dehydrated skin, we recommend using Niacinamide with humectants like Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and more.

3. Removes excess sebum: The topical application of Niacinamide absorbs excess sebum from the skin, ensuring a healthy microbiome. It is one of the best oil skin care products.

4. Minimizes the appearance of pores: Niacinamide removes sebum and gunk from deep inside the pores, minimizing their appearance. If you want to create a smooth, texture-less canvas for your makeup, Niacinamide should be on your radar.

5. Soothes inflammation: Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Niacinamide reduces redness, rashes, hives and other flareups with use.

How Does Vitamin C Benefit The Skin?  

Vitamin C's omnipresence in skincare is a testament to its efficacy. Here are the common benefits of Vit C for skin.

1. Reverses signs of skin ageing: Vitamin C boosts Collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet and more. If you wish to age gracefully, this active ingredient should be on your radar.

2. Avert free radicals: The topical application of Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals, preventing any damage to the skin. Vit C is also popular for shielding the skin against harmful UV rays and pollution.

3. Reduces spots and marks: Vitamin C also promotes healthier regeneration of skin cells, fading the appearance of scars, spots and marks over time.

4. Accelerates skin healing: Vitamin C possesses anti-inflammatory properties which accelerate skin healing.

What About Brightening? Should I use Vitamin C or Niacinamide? 

Both Niacinamide and Vitamin C ensure brightening results via different pathways.

Case in point, Vitamin C inhibits melanin production in skin cells to reduce dark spots and pigmentation. Meanwhile, Niacinamide impedes the transfer of melanin to the skin’s outermost layer, resulting in an even skin tone. Therefore, it is tricky to choose whether you should use Niacinamide or Vitamin C for the skin. Nevertheless, here are some alternatives that you may consider-

1. Pick a secondary concern: To make a choice, zero in on a secondary skin concern. So, if you want to brighten with oil control – try Niacinamide. To ensure brightening while fighting fine lines, wrinkles and more – we recommend using Vitamin C for the skin.

2. Use Niacinamide and Vitamin C together: To maximize skin brightening results, might we recommend using Niacinamide and Vitamin C together? These two active ingredients are compatible and enhance each other's efficacy.

How To Layer Vitamin C and Niacinamide? 

If you want to reap the combined benefits of Vitamin C and Niacinamide, here’s how you can add them to your daily routine-

1. Add the two ingredients to your morning and nighttime routines respectively: To avoid accidental flare-ups or inflammation, use Vitamin C in the morning. This powerful antioxidant shields your skin against aggressors, UV rays, and harmful free radicals. Use Niacinamide at night to help ensure skin hydration overnight.

2. Alternatively, if you want to use the two ingredients at the same time – start by applying Vitamin C on thoroughly cleansed skin. Once the serum is put into the skin completely, apply a thin layer of Niacinamide. This workhorse helps strengthen the barrier, hydrates the skin, and soothes any inflammation from Vitamin C.

Potential Side Effects Of Using Vitamin C And Niacinamide Together? 

While Vitamin C and Niacinamide are compatible, some first-time users may experience the following side effects -

1. Skin irritation: Skin irritation in the form of redness, stinging or itching may occur due to a high concentration of Vitamin C.

2. Breakouts: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may experience breakouts or hives on the skin. 

Common Mistakes To Avoid While Using Vitamin C And Niacinamide  

Do you wish to start using Vitamin C and Niacinamide in your daily skincare? Here are some mistakes you should avoid at all costs – 

1. Not conducting a patch test: Before introducing the two ingredients into your daily routine, conduct a patch test on your neck.

2. Going overboard with the active ingredients: If you’re new to either Niacinamide or Vitamin C, start by using them 2 to 3 times a week. Let your skin get accustomed to the unique combination of actives.

3. Not using sunscreen: Topical application of active ingredients makes your skin prone to photodamage. To avoid this, lather a generous layer of sunscreen before stepping outdoors in the morning/afternoon.

4. Not being well-versed in application technique: Active ingredients Vitamin C and Niacinamide are compatible – with little to no side effects for most skin types. Having said that, the wrong application technique can lead to inflammation, breakouts or acne.

Okay, But In What Form Should I Use Vitamin C And Niacinamide?

Vitamin C and Niacinamide are present in an assortment of skincare products, ranging from cleansers to face packs to moisturizers. However, if you want visible results quickly, we recommend these ingredients in serum or treatments. Here’s why?

1. Serum contains a high concentration of an active ingredient. More potency equates to better efficacy.

2. A serum thin, water-like consistency allows it to seep deep into the skin and address relevant skin concerns.

Luckily, Foxtale carries both Niacinamide and Vitamin C Serum for your benefit. These high-performing, innovative and safe formulations are must-trys. Here’s why

Why Should You Try Foxtale’s Niacinamide Serum?

If you want to add Niacinamide for brightening, oil control, barrier repair or more, try Foxtale’s unique offering

1. The creamy, lightweight formula soaks excess sebum, ensuring oil-free radiance for the skin.

2. We love how this facial serum doubles as a primer. That’s right. The topical application of this Niacinamide Serum blurs pores and cloaks blemishes to create a smooth, soft canvas.

3. The serum also ensures a mattifying effect for the skin! If you like donning ultra-glam, matte looks, make BFFs with this daily serum.

4 Niacinamide with Olive Leaf Extract helps soothe inflammation, redness, hives and more. 

How to use: After cleansing, take 2 to 3 pumps of the Niacinamide Serum and gently dab it on your skin. Follow up with moisturizer.

Why Should You Try Foxtale’s Vitamin C

Here are all the reasons why Foxtale’s Vitamin C stands tall in an avalanche of offerings -

1. It has an emollient-rich formula that shields the skin against harmful UV rays, pollutants, and other aggressors.

2. Foxtale’s Vitamin C uses gel-trap technology to combine water-soluble Vitamin C with oil-soluble Vitamin E. This ensures better absorption of the serum across the lipid barrier.

3. The efficacious Vitamin C makes the skin visibly brighter after the first 5 uses. 

How to use: Use a Foxtale face wash to dislodge dirt, sebum and other impurities from the pores, ensuring a clean surface. After dabbing your face dry, apply 2 to 3 pumps of Vitamin C. 

Conclusion 

Niacinamide and Vitamin C reduce dark spots and pigmentation while enhancing your skin’s latent brightness – albeit using different pathways. Topical application of Vitamin C inhibits melanin whereas Niacinamide controls the distribution of the pigment melanin across skin cells. So why not double down on efforts for bright, even-toned skin by using Vitamin C and Niacinamide together? If you’re wary of inflammation or irritation, add Vitamin C to your morning routine and Niacinamide to your nighttime rituals. Alternatively, you can apply a thin layer of Vitamin C serum, wait for it to sink into the skin and follow up with Niacinamide for best results. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use Niacinamide and Vitamin C together in skincare routine? 

Yes, you can. Vitamin C and Niacinamide work exceptionally well together. After cleansing, apply a thin layer of Vitamin C to your skin. Once the serum absorbs completely, apply a thin layer of Niacinamide.

2. Which is better for acne scars, Niacinamide or Vitamin C? 

Vitamin C boosts Collagen production and helps fill depressions or acne scars with regular use.

3. How long does it take Niacinamide or Vitamin C to show results? 

Serums like Vitamin C or Niacinamide start showing results between 4 to 6 weeks. Having said that, it is crucial to be consistent with the application.

4. Are there any side effects of using Vitamin C with Niacinamide? 

Vitamin C and Niacinamide are mostly compatible with little to no side effects. However, a handful of users may experience inflammation, irritation, and other forms of allergic reaction. These flare-ups are not worrisome and abate in a few days.

5. Can I use Niacinamide during the day and Vitamin C at night? 

Yes, you may.

6. Is it necessary to apply sunscreen when applying Niacinamide or Vitamin C? 

Yes, it absolutely is. Topical application of active ingredients makes your skin prone to photodamage. To prevent this while averting harmful UV rays, sunscreen in your morning routine is non-negotiable.

7. What is the best pore-minimizing serum? 

Try Foxtale’s Niacinamide Serum. It blots excess oil and minimizes pore size to ensure smooth, even skin.

8. Does Niacinamide work for sensitive skin? 

Yes. Niacinamide works for sensitive skin in several ways  

• It prevents TEWL and ensures long-lasting skin hydration. 

• It reduces dryness and flakiness on the skin. 

• Niacinamide helps strengthen the barrier, making it a good choice for sensitive skin. 

• Topical application of Niacinamide soothes inflammation, irritation, and other flare-ups.