Niacinamide is a very approachable ingredient to integrate into your skincare routine. This calming vitamin complex is suitable for most skin types and concerns and can be combined with a variety of different skincare ingredients. But what about more irritating agents like acids?
AHAs, BHAs, and dicarboxylic acids are all common in skincare ingredients. So, can you use ingredients like azelaic acid and niacinamide together? We’ll answer this question below, including where to find products with these ingredients from Isomers Skincare.
What is Azelaic Acid and How Does it Affect the Skin?
Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid commonly found in skincare products due to its exfoliating properties. This ingredient can be found naturally in grains like wheat, rye, and barley, but is synthetically engineered for skincare formulations.
This ingredient targets a variety of skin concerns, including redness, dark spots, and texture. Its exfoliating properties allow it to break down dead and dull skin's outer layers, resulting in a smooth, refined texture after regular use. Azelaic acid is also more versatile than AHA and BHA, as it's more gentle, making it a great choice for those with more sensitive and delicate skin.
How Niacinamide Works in Your Complexion
Niacinamide is a Vitamin B3 complex that is very versatile across skin types—virtually everyone can use it! This nutrient is very calming for the skin and contains humectant properties that draw and lock moisture. In turn, this creates a protective barrier for the skin from environmental stressors.
Can Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide Work Together?
There’s a common misconception that niacinamide doesn’t pair well with AHAs and BHAs, and many mistakenly group azelaic acid into the AHA category. But you’re in luck—niacinamide is compatible with azelaic acid! So how do they work together?
While azelaic acid cleans dead skin cells, impurities, and bacteria on your skin, niacinamide helps restore the skin barrier and boost hydration. After continuous application of these ingredients, your complexion will become smoother, softer, and more radiant.
How to Add These Ingredients to Your Skincare Routine
To gain all the benefits from niacinamide and azelaic acid, it’s important to apply them properly. You can find these two ingredients in separate, concentrated formulations, and you can also find them combined in serums, moisturizers, and face oils.
If you decide to use them separately, always apply azelaic first. Niacinamide acts as a protective shield for the skin’s outer layer, and if you apply the acid over top, it can cause irritation as the ingredient tries to work through the shield.
If you choose to use these two ingredients in a combined product, make sure you use them in the correct step of your skincare routine. For example, our 1% Salicylic Acid 1% Azelaic Acid 1% Niacinamide Serum from Isomers Skincare should be applied after the Cleanse step of your evening skincare routine to “Correct” or provide your complexion with nourishing ingredients and hydration.
Finish up with a nourishing moisturizer to lock in hydration and add an extra layer of protection to the skin barrier, and allow these powerful ingredients to work into your complexion.
Get Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide Serum from Isomers Skincare
Can you use azelaic acid and niacinamide together? Absolutely! Before adding these ingredients to your skincare routine, consider whether they are compatible with your skin type and will help you target your skin concerns and goals.
You can take our Build My Routine quiz to learn more about which of our products works best for you!