Hi Elena and Gio, I’ve used the niacinamide from the Ordinary and this happend to me as well! When I stoped using it the breakouts went away. I’m very stubborn so I tried it again and the same reaction happend to my skin? I also have this reaction from other products from the ordinary like the lactic acid. I’m wanting to try this niacinamide from the Inkey List but I’m a little scared to have this reaction again. Should I just try it and what could be the ingredient that gives me these breakouts? Thank you in advance!

Elena, everything is possible, as everyone’s skin is so different. But bad reactions to niacinamide are very rare, unless you use a very high concentration. Another explanation is that there’s something else in the product – usually an oil or irritating natural extract – that could cause the problems. Either way, ditch the product, it’s clear your skin doesn’t like it.

So I have been adding niacinamide in my routine and I am using it for more or less 5 weeks now. It actually made my skin worse, I have more breakouts and also a concentration of small comedones/underlying whiteheads. Is it possible that my skin just doesn’t like it? I have normal to dry skin with occasional breakouts but was looking for something to brighten my scars, hence the niacinamide. Do you think I should persevere or does 5 weeks say enough about it being not good with my skin? I use the Ordinary niacinamide.

Thank you

Nancy, it’s a myth. You can totally use them together. The only exception is if you experience flushing, but this is rare. I debunk the myth here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/use-vitamin-c-niacinamide-together/

going through a skin journey and found your blog – awesome! I’m seeing mixed info online about mixing niacinamide and vitamin c. Some say they cancel each other out? I have a rosehip and vitamin C oil I love, and a niacinamide 10% with 1% zinc serum – what are your thoughts? Thanks, Nancy

Karen, if your skin tolerates it well, apply niacinamide after Retin-A.