Can you use The Ordinary niacinamide every day?

How to fit it into your daily routine

1. 1Cleanse gently.
2. 2Apply 2 to 3 drops of Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% across your face and neck.
3. 3Let the serum absorb before applying the next product.
4. 4Follow with oils or heavier moisturizers. The Ordinary places this water based serum before them.
5. 5Use sunscreen during the day. Niacinamide does not prevent sunburn.

Once daily is also an option; general niacinamide guidance allows once or twice daily use. Twice daily is an available schedule, not a requirement to get started. Introduce one new product at a time, so you are not adding several possible sources of irritation together.25

Test it before using it all over your face

For a thorough home test, apply the serum to a small spot on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow twice daily for 7 to 10 days. Choose an area where the product will not be rubbed or washed away, and use the amount and thickness you would normally apply. Leave the serum on as you would during regular use. If the test area stays free of redness, itching and swelling, begin using the serum on your face. Testing helps predict a reaction before a new product becomes part of your whole routine.6

Sensitive skin can benefit from a lower concentration instead of starting at 10%. Many niacinamide products contain 5% or less. A slower schedule and a lower strength are separate ways to ease into use.2

When should you stop?

Stop this serum if it stings, burns, tingles or causes irritation. Niacinamide is generally gentle, but itching, redness, mild burning and allergic reactions can occur. If you develop a reaction, gently wash the product off and do not use it again. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help relieve the skin. See a dermatologist if the reaction is severe and those measures do not help, or if you cannot identify what is causing repeated reactions.256

Can you use it with other serums?

The Ordinary allows pairing Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% with hyaluronic acid, retinoids and salicylic acid. For this serum, the brand advises against pairing with direct or indirect vitamin C because the combination could reduce effectiveness. Use separate routines instead.1

Using too much serum can leave a sticky layer, giving makeup an extra job it did not apply for. If products pill, reduce excess application and let each layer absorb; some combinations work better on separate days.1

How long does niacinamide take to work?

Expect changes over weeks rather than overnight. Trials of other niacinamide formulas found reduced oiliness with a 2% moisturizer over 4 to 6 weeks and reduced freckles and sun spots with 5% niacinamide from four weeks. A 12 week trial of 5% niacinamide found improvements in texture, pigmentation and fine lines. Those are useful general timeframes, not a timetable for this 10% serum. For products used to address signs of aging, allow at least six weeks; some take up to three months.345

Can you use niacinamide every day?

Yes, niacinamide generally suits once or twice daily use after gentle cleansing. It is vitamin B3 and helps support the skin barrier, the protective outer layer that holds moisture in. Niacinamide also appears in cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens, so the ingredient can make several appearances without needing its own dressing room. Avoid stacking too many niacinamide products at once. For a different formula, follow its directions rather than copying this serum's layering order.245