The number of skincare ingredients out there is enough to leave your head spinning. Fear not, you still don’t have to memorize them all. But here’s a question for the veteran: Can Benzoyl Peroxide and niacinamide be used together in your skincare routine? This is exactly what we are going to discuss and see whether these two following skincare ingredients can be combined and used together.
But first let’s explore what these potent ingredients are and their main benefits on the skin.
Benzoyl Peroxide
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, I will be honest, I was not for quite some time, is a well-known acne treatment.
As well as treating and preventing acne, benzoyl peroxide removes dead skin cells, excess oil, and bacteria from underneath the skin by peeling it away. 🙂
It works particularly well on inflammatory acne, pimples, and cystic acne (considered one of the most difficult forms of acne to treat).
The ingredient can also be used to treat non-inflammatory acne (which does not cause red bumps) like blackheads and whiteheads, although it may not always be the best option.
Skincare Products that contain Benzoyl Peroxide:
Benzoyl peroxide is present in many products.
The ingredient can be found in over the counter (OTC) gels, cleansers, and spot treatments in different concentrations for mild to moderate breakouts.
Selecting the right one is important based on your skin care concerns and preferences. You should also choose a concentration that is right for you. This of course may vary depending on your skin type. 
For sensitive skin, its best to choose a lower concentration (around 4%), especially if you are aiming to use it on your face. However, when used on the chest or back, you can use a higher concentration.
For first use it is best to use it once a day and then build it up gradually as you progress.
What to be aware of?
Since benzoyl peroxide penetrates deeper into the skin, it can sometimes cause irritation and dryness.
In fact, dryness, redness, and peeling are among the side effects of such effects. Irritation and itching are other possible side effects.
In addition, although benzoyl peroxide can effectively rid your pores of bacteria and dead skin, there are limitations to its use.
In case of sunburn, this ingredient should not be used. It also might not be the most advisable idea to use the ingredient if you are suffering from eczema or even seborrheic dermatitis.
To sum up, some types of acne can be effectively treated with benzoyl peroxide, however topical retinoids are a better first line of treatment.
To know more about the ingredients and its side effects, I would highly recommend you checking out the NHS website: NHS-Benzoyl-peroxide.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a type of vitamin B3. There are many foods containing this nutrient, including meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals. Fats and sugars in the body are metabolized by niacinamide, which maintains healthy cells.
As a result, some people would claim that niacinamide can provide skin health benefits through diet.
Related: *Is your diet more important than your skincare routine?
But let’s talk skincare here. 😉
There is no question that the nutrient plays an important role in skin health in general. Despite the need for more research, topical niacinamide may help treat acne and eczema.
Essentially, niacinamide helps build proteins in the skin and keeps moisture in to prevent environmental damage. Since it helps keep moisture in, it is suitable for dry skin.
Other benefits to the skin include that:
- It treats hyperpigmentation by lightening dark spots. Thus, a dermatologist who specializes in dark skin, Dr Vanita Rattan, believes that it is important to integrate in a skincare regimen for people with darker complexions.
- It protects the skin against the sun UV rays
by rebuilding skin cells. - It helps reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles (which are major signs of ageing).
- It helps treat acne particularly more severe ones like forms of pustules and papules and helps improve the texture of the skin.
- It can help protect the skin against oxidative stress
which means that it reduces the impact of environmental stress like pollution or sunlight. - It helps regulate oil and helps decrease pore appearance over time.
- It helps minimize redness and inflammation and keeps the skin firm and healthy!
Skincare Products that contain Niacinamide:
Niacinamide can be found in skincare products like cleansers, creams, face masks especially in the form of serums.
When implementing the nutrient in your skincare regardless of the skincare products you choose, you need to pay attention to its concentration, which may vary from product to product.
According to some reports, 5 percent formulas can be effective in treating hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
For people that do have sensitive skin, it’s best to start with a lower concentration. It is not necessary to worry as experts suggest that niacinamide formulas that contain 2 percent can ease eczema and similar conditions. 😉
What to be aware of?
Niacinamide is known to release histamine in the body. That is why people with pre-existing allergies may be more susceptible to allergic reactions.
It is, however, generally safe to use and shouldn’t harm the skin.
It is important to note that if you start noticing redness, itching, or swelling within 24 hours, stop using the product immediately.
It is always a good idea to do a patch test first to see how the skin reacts. 🙂
Benzoyl peroxide and Niacinamide: Could they be combined?
According to experts, you can use niacinamide and benzoyl peroxide at the same time. In fact, they usually suggest pairing a drying ingredient like benzoyl peroxide with a hydrating one like niacinamide.
Since niacinamide is a humectant, it locks moisture into the skin so that it remains healthy and hydrated. Also, you will notice that benzoyl peroxide produces results much faster. So, the combination is a match made in heaven! 🙂
For people with oily skin, acne prone skin, or blemishes, the combination of these ingredients can be very beneficial. This does not mean that it should not be used by people with dry, sensitive skin. On the contrary. In general, if you apply a lower concentration of both, there should be no problems. 😀
What is the order?
The order in which you should use these two ingredients depends on the skincare products you choose. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended that you begin by applying the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest. In this way, thicker formulas don’t form physical barriers on the skin, preventing thinner products from reaching the areas of the skin they need to reach.
Is it possible to use them with other products?
Niacinamide may be used in combination with other active ingredients for best results.
According to some reports, niacinamide may work well together with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne. With hyaluronic acid, you may be able to get the most out of your niacinamide serum.
However, when it comes to benzoyl peroxide it is best not to mix it with retinol. The ingredients will deactivate each other, rendering them useless as a result.
As we have seen, it can be combined with niacinamide.
Relevant: *Vitamin C vs Retinol vs Hyaluronic acid-what differs from them?
Having seen how these two powerful ingredients may prevent the onset of many skin conditions, we can conclude that they can be useful to the skin.
They work perfectly together, helping the skin get the most out of both substances.
Even though these ingredients are more effective for oily and acne-prone skin types, you can also benefit from them if you have sensitive or dry skin. Simply use a lower concentration of both. 🙂
