Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid: Spot The Difference

Written by Kinnari AsharNov 10, 2022
Niacinamide VS Salicylic Acid: Spot the Difference

Salicylic acid and niacinamide have a variety of benefits for your skin. The skincare industry is now coming up with the best of the best products infused with these. As for Salicylic acid, it's known to smooth and clarify skin, whereas the niacinamide is known for healing skin. Considering these two active ingredients have a plethora of benefits, it's only natural people want to use them in their skincare! But how well do they complement each other? Can you use niacinamide and salicylic acid together? Here's everything you need to know about them. 

Benefits of Using Niacinamide   

As a form of vitamin B3, niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that restores cellular energy and facilitates cellular functions. Here are the benefits of niacinamide on your skin. 

1. Eliminates excessive oil production 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

Researches have shown that even a 2% concentration of niacinamide in a product can help in reducing the rate and amount of the sebum produced. 

2. Enhances the skin's barrier function 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

Niacinamide helps to thicken the skin barrier and increases its ceramide and free fatty acid levels, improving its functionality and ability to retain water. 

3. Reduces pigmentation and evens out skin tone 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

A concentration of as little as 4% niacinamide is known to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve your skin tone in about 6 weeks. 

Benefits of Using Salicylic Acid  

One of the most well-known beta-hydroxy acids is salicylic acid, which is a chemical exfoliant. There are also milder alternatives to BHAs as well, such as willow bark extract and betaine salicylate. The following are some of the benefits you'll get from salicylic acid and other BHAs: 

1. Provides deep pore cleaning 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

Alpha-hydroxy acids are water-soluble, while beta-hydroxy acids are oil-soluble. Therefore, salicylic acid can exfoliate pores, eliminate excess sebum, and remove sebum that has been clogged deep inside the pores. 

2. Smooths and exfoliates the skin 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

Salicylic acid disintegrates the intercellular cement, also known as the "glue" that holds skin cells together above the surface. You'll have smoother, softer skin. 

3. Reduces the size of pores 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

Salicylic acid shrinks pores in two different ways. The smoother surface of the skin can give the impression that pore sizes have been reduced, as all acid exfoliants do. Due to its ability to deep-clean pores, it also makes them appear smaller since debris doesn't stretch them out. 

Our Product Recommendations – Editor's Picks  

1. Lakme Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin Brightening Face Serum With Niacinamide 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

The Lakme Absolute Perfect Radiance Skin Brightening Face Serum is infused with 98% pure Niacinamide that gives you 2 times more brightening and Hi-resolution crystal radiance. It also contains precious micro-crystals along with the highly concentrated Vita-Resorcinol to help reduce pigmentation, dark spots and acne marks and help polish your skin. 

2. Simple Booster Serum - 10% Niacinamide 

salicylic acid and niacinamide woman skin care serum

The Simple 10% Niacinamide Booster Face Serum consists of 10% active Niacinamide – one powerful ingredient, to not only free your skin from the signs of past damage but also protect it against future threats. It is a potent yet kind-to-skin formula that strengthens the skin barrier to prevent moisture loss, promotes even skin tone and texture, protects from dryness to improve skin elasticity and fights signs of premature ageing

FAQs about Niacinamide for Skin Care   

Can I use salicylic acid and niacinamide together? 

If you are wondering, “can salicylic acid and niacinamide be used together?”, the answer is yes. They complement one another very well. Because salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it penetrates deeper into the skin layers, although it also dehydrates and irritates it. Meanwhile, niacinamide boosts the skin's natural moisture and reduces inflammation.  

Can I mix niacinamide and salicylic acid together? 

Mixing niacinamide and salicylic acid or even layering one over the other is a strict no-no.  

Salicylic acid is generally formulated with a pH of 3.0 to 4.0 in order to penetrate the skin and work properly. According to a study, salicylic acid is less absorbed by the skin at pH levels of 2.0, 5.0, and 7.0.  

As opposed to salicylic acid, niacinamide has a neutral pH level, usually around 6.0. As a result, when you combine salicylic acid and niacinamide, the pH level of the acid will be raised, making it less acidic. The salicylic acid will not be able to penetrate your skin as well, and this will reduce its effectiveness. 

Kinnari Ashar

Written by

A beauty and food enthusiast with a decade of writing experience, Kinnari treats her skincare routine like a sacred ritual and views a gourmet meal as a daily necessity. Balancing her time between uncovering the latest beauty trends and taste-testing culinary delights, she’s always up for trying new products or savouring a delicious dish.
7309 views

Shop This Story