Can You Mix Vitamin C and Niacinamide? A Derm explains
First of all, vitamin C and niacinamide are both vitamins—niacinamide is also known as vitamin B3. Both help improve skin tone and their differences work in complementary ways.
“As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralize harmful free radicals and environmental toxins that can come into contact with the skin,” says Imahiyerobo-Ip. “Vitamin C has skin-protective properties that help fight UV-induced skin damage. It also plays an important role in collagen synthesis and wound healing.” It can also help treat and prevent hyperpigmentation by reducing melanin production.
On the other hand, Niacinamide mainly helps to improve the skin barrier function by moisturizing the skin. “It does this by improving ceramide production and preventing water evaporation from the skin into the environment,” says Imahiyerobo-Ip. Niacinamide also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe irritated or inflamed skin.”
But that’s not all — niacinamide has some of the same properties as vitamin C. It also boosts collagen production and suppresses melanin production, making it an anti-pigmentation agent.