Can I Use Hyaluronic Acid And Niacinamide Together?
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a clear, gooey substance that is naturally produced by your body. The largest amounts of it are found in your skin, connective tissue, and eyes. Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist. Hyaluronic acid has a variety of uses. Many people take it as a supplement, but it’s also used in topical serums, eye drops, and injections.
Hyaluronic acid supplements can help your skin look and feel more supple. Taking hyaluronic acid supplements may prevent the natural aging process and exposure to things like ultraviolet radiation from the sun, tobacco smoke, and pollution that can decrease its amounts in the skin and give your body extra amounts to incorporate into the skin Doses of 120–240 mg per day for at least one month have been shown to significantly increase skin moisture and reduce dry skin in adults.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide also called nicotinamide, is a form of vitamin B-3, an essential nutrient. A B-3 deficiency can lead to disorders of the skin, kidneys, and brain. Taking niacinamide can help prevent B-3 deficiency. And there’s much more to this nutrient, especially when it comes to general skin health. Although more research is needed, topical niacinamide may help treat certain skin conditions, including acne and eczema.
According to Healthline, the benefits of niacinamide include:
- Immunity. Niacinamide helps build keratin, a type of protein that keeps your skin firm and healthy.
- Lipid barrier. Niacinamide can help your skin grow a ceramide (lipid) barrier, which can, in turn, helps retain moisture. This is beneficial for all skin types, especially if you have eczema or mature skin.
- Minimizes redness and blotchiness. Niacinamide reduces inflammation, which may help ease redness from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions.
- Minimizes pore appearance. Keeping skin smooth and moisturized may have a secondary benefit — a natural reduction in pore size over time.
- Regulates oil. The benefits of moisture retention aren’t just for those with dry skin types. Niacinimide can also help regulate the amount of oil the sebaceous glands produce and prevent your glands from going into overdrive.
- Protects against sun damage. Niacinamide can concurrently rebuild healthy skin cells while also protecting them from damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
- Treats hyperpigmentation. Some research has found 5 percent niacinamide concentrations can be helpful in lightening dark spots. Benefits were seen after four weeks, but not beyond two months. This benefit may be due to increased collagen production.
- Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Research has also found that the same concentration was helpful in reducing some signs of sun damage that come with aging. This includes fine lines and wrinkles.
- Protects against oxidative stress. Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins.
- Treats acne. Niacinamide may be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Over time, you may see fewer lesions and improved skin texture.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid And Niacinamide Together?
According to drugs.com, 74 drugs can interact with niacinamide but the good news is that hyaluronic acid is not listed as one of them which means they can be used together. When used together, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can increase your skin’s hydration, boost collagen production, improve elasticity and help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your skin. Many skincare products combine these two ingredients to help strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, among other benefits.
