Can I use The Ordinary Retinal with niacinamide?

How do I layer them?

The evening routine follows three stages: cleanse, treat and moisturize, without requiring every bottle on the shelf to attend.2

1. 1Cleanse your face.
2. 2Apply your water based niacinamide serum. Let your skin dry before retinal.
3. 3Apply a pea sized amount of Retinal 0.2% Emulsion to your face and neck. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes.
4. 4Apply moisturizer afterwards.

Use retinal only in the evening. Start once a week, then increase to twice a week, a few days apart, as tolerated. Niacinamide does not change that schedule. Use sunscreen during the day.13

Can I keep niacinamide in the morning instead?

Yes. The Ordinary includes Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% in both morning and evening routines, so morning niacinamide and evening retinal is another option. In the morning, the serum goes after cleansing and before moisturizer and sunscreen. Sharing a bathroom does not oblige the bottles to share a shift.2

What should I leave out of retinal nights?

The Ordinary lists other retinoids, direct acids, direct vitamin C, copper peptides and Multi Active Delivery Essence as conflicts. If you use a prescription retinoid, do not add this retinal alongside it.1

Who should be careful?

Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is a very high strength retinoid intended for experienced users. Beginners should start with a lower strength rather than choosing this formula because they already use niacinamide.13

Retinoids are vitamin A based skincare ingredients. Skin allergies, dryness, or substantial redness and inflammation are reasons to ask a dermatologist about suitability before starting one. For darker skin tones, irritation can trigger dark marks, called hyperpigmentation. Starting slowly and using moisturizer helps reduce that risk.3

Patch test before use, and apply only to unbroken skin. If irritation occurs, rinse off, stop using retinal and consult a physician.1

Do not use retinal during pregnancy. If you are trying to become pregnant, tell your obstetrician and dermatologist about your medications and prescription skincare so they can review your treatment plan. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can require changes to that plan; adding niacinamide does not remove the pregnancy restriction on retinoids.34