Niacinamide can be applied either morning or night after your cleanser and before your moisturizer.
When used correctly, niacinamide can help reduce signs of premature aging and support your skin’s barrier by helping you to maintain moisture. Thankfully, niacinamide is a gentle ingredient that tends to fit in well with other actives and is suitable for most skin types.
This article will explain everything you need to know about niacinamide and how to use it.
Niacinamide Overview
Nearly as popular as hyaluronic acid at this point, niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and an awesome ingredient to add into your skincare routine.
You’ll commonly find niacinamide in skincare products like serums and moisturizers thanks to its ability to support your skin barrier and reduce uneven skin tone.
Niacinamide is suitable for any skin type, but people with oily skin and acne will likely benefit from it the most.
Niacinamide Benefits
There’s a reason why niacinamide has risen in popularity over the years. Actually, there are several reasons!
Niacinamide has anti inflammatory properties and tons of benefits such as:
Stimulating collagen production
Evening out skin tone
Controlling excess sebum production
Supporting your skin barrier layer
Keeping your skin hydrated
Plus, it does all of these while causing minimal skin irritation compared to other skincare ingredients like glycolic acid.
How to Use Niacinamide Serum
To use niacinamide serum, first start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser.
Then, apply your most important active ingredients. For example, you may choose to apply a vitamin C serum in the morning and use retinol at night.
After those products absorb, then you apply a thin layer of niacinamide serum and finish off by applying moisturizer.
Alternatively, instead of getting a separate serum, you choose a moisturizer with niacinamide already in it such as the CeraVe PM Moisturizer.
Using niacinamide should leave your skin feeling smooth and healthy, and it should not cause any dryness or redness. If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop using niacinamide immediately.
Should niacinamide be used morning or night?
Niacinamide serum can be used morning and night.
In my opinion, you should stick to using a product that includes niacinamide between 2-5%. At this concentration, your skin will likely be able to tolerate it twice per day.
If you’re using a serum with niacinamide at 10%, I suggest using it only once per day as it can cause irritation.
Is it better to use niacinamide at night?
No, it is not necessarily better to use niacinamide as part of your night time skincare routine.
Niacinamide is a great, gentle ingredients that plays well with other skincare products and the sun. Unlike retinol which degrades in the sun, niacinamide is stable and can be worn along with vitamin C and sunscreen in the mornings.
Niacinamide is suitable to used either morning or night.
Should you use niacinamide?
Niacinamide serums are generally suitable for all skin types.
That being said, people with oilier skin types may particularly benefit due to niacinamide’s ability to control excess sebum production and soothe mild acne.
Additionally, while some prefer to use a standalone niacinamide booster in their skincare routine, the concentration of niacinamide found in your moisturizer is likely already enough.
Summary: should you use niacinamide morning or night?
You can use niacinamide either morning or night.
Niacinamide is a stable ingredient that can be layered with other active ingredients such as vitamin C and retinol. Combined with these ingredients or used on its own, niacinamide will support your barrier and leave you with healthy skin.
You can choose whether you prefer to use niacinamide in your skincare routine through a serum or a moisturizer.
