How to apply niacinamide serum

How do you apply niacinamide serum to your face?

1. 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, then gently pat dry.
2. 2Apply your serum in the amount its directions specify. For example, The Ordinary tells you to use 2 to 3 drops of Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for the entire face and neck.
3. 3Let that layer absorb before applying the next product. The Ordinary's water based serum goes before oils and heavier moisturizers.
4. 4Apply moisturizer and, in your daytime routine, sunscreen. Niacinamide does not act as sunscreen or prevent sunburn.
5. 5Apply makeup after your skincare, if you wear it.

Does niacinamide go before or after moisturizer?

Treatment before moisturizer is the general skincare order. Niacinamide can also be applied after moisturizer or mixed with moisturizer and applied to the face and neck. Use your serum's directions to choose between these approaches rather than treating one order as a rule for every formula.12

Should you use it morning or night?

Niacinamide can fit into a morning or evening routine, with general use once or twice daily. Sensitive skin needs a slower introduction. For The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, the brand suggests starting 1 to 2 days a week if sensitivity is a concern, then gradually increasing frequency if tolerated.23

What strength should you start with?

Start with a low concentration if your skin is sensitive. Most niacinamide skincare products contain 5% or less, although concentrations vary. Niacinamide is also found in moisturizers and sunscreens, so a separate serum is not an entrance fee for using the ingredient. Avoid adding several niacinamide products at once.2

Test the serum before using it across your face

Apply the serum to a spot about the size of a quarter on the underside of your arm or inside your elbow twice daily for seven to 10 days. Use the amount and thickness you would normally apply, and leave it on as you would during regular use. If the area does not become red, itchy or swollen, you can introduce the serum to your face. Testing matters even with a generally gentle ingredient: another ingredient in the formula can cause a reaction.5

Can you use it with other serums?

Niacinamide can be paired with hyaluronic acid, ceramide moisturizers and retinol. Vitamin C is compatible in general guidance, but The Ordinary specifically tells you not to pair its Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% with direct or indirect vitamin C. Follow that restriction for that serum. Pairing is optional, not a casting call for every serum in the cupboard. Too many skincare products can irritate skin.123

How long does niacinamide take to work?

Expect changes over weeks rather than after one application. A 2% niacinamide moisturizer reduced facial oiliness over four to six weeks in a clinical trial. Research on 5% topical niacinamide found improvements in pigmentation, texture and fine lines over 12 weeks. Those are useful reference points, not a fixed schedule for every serum.4

What should you do if it irritates your skin?

If the serum causes a skin reaction, gently wash it off and stop using it. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help relieve the irritation. See a dermatologist if the reaction is severe and these measures do not relieve it, or if you cannot identify what keeps causing your skin to react.5