Hyaluronic Acid is great for this, as it draws moisture into the skin and keeps it there helping it feel plump and comfortable. It's far less obvious if the products you are applying aren't doing their job effectively, as most active skincare like retinol and Vitamin C serums are very much a long game anyway. Using retinol and AHAs together is another recipe for trouble. Sunscreen is a crucial element of any skincare routine, especially in the summer Lactic acid and TCA peels have been around for a long time, but Melasma is a condition where patches of skin discolor, often on the face. User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Buy JIN JUNG SUNG Soothing Non-sticky Face Moisturizer Essence Serum 5 Oz Oily Dry Sensitive Skin Tone Evening Deep Inner Moisturizing 7-Hyaluronic Acids Beta-Glucan Niacinamide Men Women Korean Skincare at Amazon. Ready to feel more confident when reading your beauty products' ingredient labels? The short answer is yes, you can. Which is where we come in! Follow these golden rules and you won't go wrong. Retinols can also protect hydroquinone from oxidation, which can cause it to degrade. Ask your dermatologist about tranexamic acid, which New York City board-certified dermatologist Y. Claire Chang, M.D., says is gentle, pregnancy-safe, and can be used long-term. melasma. In this guide to hydroquinone cream Singapore guide , youll find out how it works and how to use it safely. Hydroquinone is the most known skin lightening agent however due to multiple safety issues an alternative is required. . Hydroquinone is available over the counter and with a prescription. What are the cons of mixing retinol and acne treatments? This concentrated retinol serum accelerates the growth of new skin to minimize signs of aging. You might as well skirt the issue as much as you can by separating them among your morning and nighttime. Read More: 2023 Cond Nast. Not so ordinary: They include potentially improving all kinds of skin concerns, from acne to hyperpigmentation to signs of aging. Niacinamide benefits on the other hand? Thank you for signing up to . Vitamin C with kojic acid helps remove dark spots and whitens the skin. NAD+ then fuels your cells to proliferate and also allows your body to absorb and neutralize more free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells). "Its the only way to effectively protect skin from cancer and environmental aggressors, which can lead to premature signs of aging.". The level of exposure depends upon the dose, duration, and work being done. Apply your retinol or acid first, wait 10 minutes if possible then give your skin an instant hit of moisture with the HA. In the layering episode of The Science of Beauty podcast, Marie Jhin, a board-certified dermatologist based in Silicon Valley, California, cautioned against this duo as they could cause irritation. Institute Esthederm Intensive Retinol Oil Serum | RRP: $75/55. Dermatologists say that hydroquinone is safe, as long as you buy from a trusted and reliable product, or use it with the supervision of a dermatologist. Both niacinamide and hydroquinone are quite effective in treating melasma. Prolonged sun exposure is bad news for your skin no matter which products you are using, especially so with powerful exfoliating actives. "Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a great way to get healthy-looking skin, as they exfoliate the outer skin surface layers", agrees Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Nick Lowe. Using fluocinolone, hydroquinone, and tretinoin topical during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. If you want to get rid of your hyperpigmentation faster than topical treatments can provide on their own, then combining them with an injection may be the best way forward for you. About to have a baby? Most people who want to use both acids and Vitamin C together get around this problem by using them at different times. There are very few clinical studies on the effects of niacinamide on fine lines and wrinkles, so the evidence we have on anti-aging as a niacinamide benefit is somewhat sparse. You should use it in the areas with hyperpigmentation. If you tend to be sensitive, he suggests using it on alternating days. There are many other ingredients that can lighten skin and fade spots: Vitamin C, glycolic acid, kojic acid, papain, etc. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. This vitamin C serum helps boost skin defenses and reduce wrinkles and lines. It is safe to use in 2% to 4% formulations twice a day for 12 weeks max. However, good to excellent improvement was observed with niacinamide in 44% of patients, compared to 55% with HQ. Use hydroquinone as ordered by your doctor. User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Apply hydroquinone twice a day. Very few! Beware of any over-the-counter product that contains higher dosages, or using a prescription cream without consulting a dermatologist. SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. "Although birth defects were not observed in rat fetuses exposed to high levels of hydroquinone, we don't have data in humans showing that it is demonstrably safe to use in pregnancy.". You will receive a verification email shortly. If you only have occasional or very light marks left by breakouts, you can just use a mild brightening wash and dark spot treatments, and a high SPF sunscreen, says dermatologist Sharon Garcia. Hydroquinone lightens skin by inhibiting the production of melanin (which is responsible for dark spots). You can slather it on twice daily for at least six weeks (and no more than six months). Just gave birth and now nursing your bundle of joy? "It's used to protect the skin from oxidative free radical damage, reduce redness and evens out the skin tone. This caused public concern, and led to often exaggerated reports that said hydroquinone was toxic, dangerous or the equivalent of a paint stripper of the skin.. Both of these substances can make oily skin even oilier and more prone to acne breakouts if they are used too often or in too large an amount. One or two times a week, Chan reaches for an AHA with a 10 to 20 percent concentration. It can treat discoloration or dark patches on your forehead or neck, so your skin looks brighter, fairer and blemish-free. What are the cons of mixing Vitamin C and Acids? She is also a regular contributor to industry publications and has been featured in "Allure" and "Elle" magazines. If you double team your complexion with them, excessive dryness, redness, sensitivity, or a rash are very possible results. Niacinamide sounds like a beauty brands chemistry-lab invention (just us? Ad Choices. We could list some, but let your imagination wander. In fact these ingredients can work well together but it's important to use them in the correct way. How Much Lactic Acid is in Cerave SA Cream? By Emma Shacklock Shirazi also suggests niacinamide as a substitution for both salicylic acid and retinol because it has anti-inflammatory properties to help calm skin. A major key to hydroquinone is short-term use. Hydroquinone is released to the atmosphere from its production and use, such as during methyl . Both of these molecules are central to the chemical reactions that your cellsincluding skin cellsneed to repair damage, reproduce, and function normally. If anything, your face will be left extremely uncomfortable. freckles. Vote for your favorite beauty products now! Niacinamide has showed skin whitening behaviour that is similar to that of hydroquinone. Niacinamide can make allergies more severe because they cause histamine, the chemical responsible for allergic symptoms, to be released. People with diabetes who take niacinamide should check their blood sugar carefully. As potent as this stuff is, you can be in control of how powerful it is by following these dos and don'ts to a T. Read more about ingredients Allure editors seek out: Now, watch Nigella Miller's psoriasis wash day routine: Follow Devon Abelman on Twitter and Instagram. All rights reserved. Reddit cosmetic chemist Stephen Alain Ko was the first to point out they can be used together. Before implementing hydroquinone into your lineup, ask your dermatologist if it's truly right for your skin tone and complexion concerns. Dr. Turegano and Dr. Chan both agree hydroquinone does not play well with benzoyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or other peroxide products. If youre looking for a way to fade dark spots on your face, using niacinamide and hydroquinone together may be a good option. "The only catch, it can be extremely irritating and exacerbate skin dryness and other ingredients can promote this, such as AHA/BHA acids.". The efficacy of this treatment can be enhanced by using a retinoid nightly and a mid-potent steroid, which is applied twice daily for 2 weeks, then at weekends only. How Do You Use Niacinamide and Hydroquinone Together? However, if patience is more your style and waiting until after three weeks isnt too much of an issue for you then applying once daily would still get the job done just fine! Hydroquinone works by interfering with the skin cells' production of melanin; it blocks the creation of skin pigment. Keep in mind that while topical niacinamide and oral niacinamide under 35 mg is unlikely to hurt you, its not a miracle drugif youre thinking niacinamide is the solution to all your problems, you may be sorely disappointed. Hydroquinone, a tyrosinase inhibitor, in a 4% cream can be used safely twice daily for up to 6 months to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Last updated 11 November 20, By Fiona McKim Keep out of your mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn). For those with tougher skin though, the company also produces a higher concentration at 10%. However, several years later, some hydroquinone creams were pulled out of the market after their products were found to contain mercury. In general, youre safe with topical niacinamide, no matter what skin type you have, according to Dr. Amin. Dr. Purvisha Patel also cautions against using hydroquinone for a long time. Studies have shown that after 12 weeks, there is an improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, skin elasticity, and skin tone, he adds. Generally speaking, combinations of skincare ingredients you should never mix fall into two categories: The second combination is easier to spotif you've started combining new products and your skin is red, tight, flaky or feels sunburn-like, you have probably aggravated it in some way. Niacinamide reduced importantly the mast cell infiltrate and showed improvement of solar elastosis in melasma skin. Well, we asked Chan and many other board-certified dermatologists to share which skin-care ingredients you should not mix together ever, as well as alternatives they recommend. , Chan reaches for an AHA with a prescription cream without consulting a dermatologist higher concentration at %! Remove dark spots and whitens the skin and keeps it there helping it feel plump and comfortable skin matter. 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