There’s a new trend every day in the world of skincare.
Yesterday, hyaluronic acid had all the buzz. Today, niacinamide seems like the only thing missing in your skincare routine. And who knows what the industry will come up with tomorrow!
This influx of powerhouse ingredients is both a blessing and a curse.
Its advantage is that there are so many wonderful ingredients to choose from, and its disadvantage is that there are too many ingredients to choose from!
You’ve probably been hearing a friend praising hyaluronic acid and another talking endlessly about the benefits of niacinamide – you feel like you’re missing out, right?
While the tendency to cram both ingredients into your routine seems compelling, it’s better to learn about the best uses for both, so you’re sure that your skin needs them.
Here’s my ultimate niacinamide vs hyaluronic acid comparison!
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Niacinamide vs Hyaluronic Acid: An Overview of Both Ingredients
Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can be used together or individually. To determine the best option for your skin, you need to understand how both work. Here’s an overview of them:
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a water-soluble type of vitamin B3 that’s mostly safe for all skin types. It occurs naturally in some foods like eggs, milk, and fish, and our bodies can absorb it through the skin, blood, or intestines.
In dermatology, niacinamide is used widely to strengthen the skin barrier and relieve irritation and itching. Here are its key benefits:
- Relieves redness and reduces inflammation
- Promotes a healthy skin barrier
- Improves and encourages cell renewal
- Reduces enlarged pores
- Promotes an even skin tone
- Brightens the skin
- Reduces excess sebum and prevents acne
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Hyaluronic Acid
While niacinamide is the jack of all trades, hyaluronic acid is the master of one: hydration.
It’s a polysaccharide that’s often obtained by fermenting some types of lactic acid bacteria, but let’s keep the scientific talk aside for now.
Hyaluronic acid is the ultimate hydrating agent for your skin – it can retain moisture up to a thousand times its molecular weight, making it a highly efficient humectant.
While the acid occurs naturally in your body, its production starts declining with age, and you need to start applying it topically to achieve smooth, plump skin.
Like niacinamide, it’s suitable for all skin types. Here are its key benefits:
- Efficiently hydrates the skin and retains the moisture
- Smoothens the skin and makes it plumper
- Gives your skin a youthful glow
- Prevents premature aging of the skin
Niacinamide vs Hyaluronic Acid: The Ultimate Showdown
If you want to know which ingredient works best for your skin condition, here’s a rundown of how each of them deals with common problems:
For Dehydration
Both hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can reverse dehydration effects, but the way each of them works determines which one you should use.
Hyaluronic acid works by increasing the amount of moisture in your cells and retaining it. Meanwhile, niacinamide increases the levels of fatty acids and ceramides in your skin, which not only hydrates the skin but also treats acne and evens the skin tone.
If dehydration is too far into your skin that you have fine lines, dark areas, and aging signs, niacinamide is the way to go.
Meanwhile, if you only want instant hydration and a smoother look, but have no major issues to treat, go for hyaluronic acid.
For Premature Aging
As your skin ages, it becomes less elastic, produces less hyaluronic acid, and develops hyperpigmentation.
Depending on what you want to treat, you can use either hyaluronic acid or niacinamide.
The former will improve your skin elasticity, retain moisture, and give you a youthful glow. However, it won’t treat hyperpigmentation, remove old scars, or remove wrinkles.
That’s where niacinamide comes in. As an antioxidant, it treats many signs of premature aging and boosts collagen production.
Who Should Use Niacinamide?
If you don’t know if niacinamide is the right addition to your skincare routine, I’m here for you! Use niacinamide in these cases:
- If you have mild acne or an acne-prone skin
- If you have oily skin
- If you’re suffering from hyperpigmentation
- If you have excess sebum production
- If you have scars from old acne breakouts
Who Should Use Hyaluronic Acid?
The core difference between niacinamide and hyaluronic acid is that anyone can benefit from the hydration properties of hyaluronic acid, but you won’t benefit from niacinamide unless your skin has issues that it can treat.
You should generally use hyaluronic acid if you have dry skin or suffering from dehydration effects. Here are specific cases where you should use it:
- If your skin looks dull
- If your skin is dehydrated
- If your skin is blemish-prone
How to Incorporate Them Into Your Skincare Routine
Here’s the right way to incorporate niacinamide and hyaluronic acid into your skincare routine:
- Niacinamide: Apply it after cleansing and toning but before any oil-based or heavy products.
- Hyaluronic acid: Apply it after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing and applying sunscreen.
My Top Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Picks
Since my skin gracefully develops new issues every once in a while, I’ve tried most powerhouse skincare ingredients, including niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
Here are my top picks for both serums:
Niacinamide: Sunday Riley Be Nice 10%
This Sunday Riley Serum works to reduce the appearance of dark spots and reduce the oiliness that results from excess sebum production.
On top of that, it minimizes surface redness and makes your pores seem smaller. It’s on the expensive side of the market, but it repairs the skin thoroughly.
Hyaluronic Acid: La Roche-Posay Hyalu-B5
I’ve never used a skincare product with an effect as immediate as this La Roche-Posay Serum!
It moisturizes and plumps the skin up instantly, and with consistent use, it completely repairs dry skin and reduces that tight feeling that results from dehydration.
Some users also praise it for its anti-aging effects, but I still have a few years until I can judge this!
Niacinamide vs Hyaluronic Acid: The Final Verdict
Why compare niacinamide and hyaluronic acid when you can enjoy both?
They don’t have similar uses, so it’s easy to decide which one your skin needs.
Hyaluronic acid is the ultimate hydrating product for dry, dull, and dehydrated skin. It gives a youthful glow and plumps up the skin.
Meanwhile, niacinamide is a multi-functional ingredient that reduces pore size, removes acne scars, prevents acne, reduces oiliness, and treats hyperpigmentation.