Niacinamide and Retinol: 10 Best Products to Try

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I’m back with more of my skincare secrets and favorite products, and today I’m talking all things niacinamide and retinol.

There are so many benefits to using these products, and you can incorporate them together or separately in your everyday skincare routine—it all depends on your skin type.

If you’ve never heard of these two products or need some more advice on where to start, I’ve got you covered.

Click the images below to shop for niacinamide and retinol products:

Once you start using niacinamide and retinol, you’ll notice a huge difference in your skin tone and texture. There’s no better time to start taking extra care of your skin!

To make things easy for you, you can shop for these products by clicking directly on the images, the shopping buttons, and of course, the text links.

These are my affiliate links, which means that I receive a small commission when you purchase using my links (at no additional cost to you!), and I greatly appreciate you shopping with my links!

Shop for my favorite niacinamide and retinol skincare products by clicking below:

Niacinamide and Retinol: How to Use and Top Products

What is niacinamide?

Now getting into the basics, niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that is water-soluble, meaning it’s not stored in the body and needs to be replenished.

It’s known for having anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties that help brighten uneven skin tones.

Niacinamide also boosts hydration on the skin to help absorb more moisture and can strengthen the skin barrier.

All you need to do is apply a few pumps of niacinamide serum to your skin, and over time, you’ll start to notice healthy changes.

What is retinol?

Retinol is made up of retinoids derived from vitamin A, and there are a few different types you can find in skin care products.

Retinol products help with anti-aging, acne, and removing dead skin cells—they also promote collagen production and cell turnover. 

Can I use niacinamide and retinol together?

Dermatologists typically recommend using niacinamide and retinol together because they complement each other well.

However, if you struggle with sensitive skin problems like eczema or rosacea, you should try to avoid using strong retinol products to prevent skin irritation.

As with any change to your daily skincare routine, make sure to introduce new products slowly to see how your skin reacts.

Let’s get into some of my fav niacinamide and retinol products!

Browse the top niacinamide and retinol products by clicking the images below:

Niacinamide

1. Paula’s Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment

I’m sure you’ve heard of Paula’s Choice by now—their products are everywhere on social. This Niacinamide 20% Treatment works amazing at tightening and minimizing the look of large pores. 

The treatment also helps reduce the look of rough bumps caused by any sun damage or aging—your skin will look noticeably youthful, smooth, and glowy after a few uses. 

This Niacinamide 20% Treatment also features licorice and vitamin C. The licorice helps with brightening dullness while the vitamin C evens out your skin tone. 

All you have to do is apply a few drops of this treatment once or twice a day after cleansing. Be sure to apply SPF in the morning after use or if you plan on being outside in the sun.

2. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops

I’ve been loving Glow Recipe products lately, so when I saw they had a niacinamide serum, I knew I had to try it.

I love the packaging of the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops and that this product also doubles as a highlighter, giving you a natural glow.

The Dew Drops have a gel-like formula making them super lightweight and absorbent on the skin.

The niacinamide in this serum will help with any hyperpigmentation and minimize the look of your pores, while watermelon helps with hydration and brightens the skin.

Hyaluronic acid adds more moisture to the skin and locks it in, keeping your skin extra bouncy—the Watermelon Glow Drops also make a good makeup primer to keep your skin glowy and moisturized. 

3. SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

I love everything SkinCeuticals, and this Discoloration Defense is amazing—not only does it brighten and balance your skin, but it’s also a dark spot corrector.

You can find holy grail skincare ingredients like 5% niacinamide, 3% tranexamic acid, 1% kojic acid, and 5% HEPES that work to dramatically reduce the look of discoloration.

Your skin will be looking radiant and healthy within two weeks of incorporating the Discoloration Defense into your skincare routine.

This niacinamide serum works on all skin types and is gentle for daily use, just be sure to use SPF in the daytime.

I know SkinCeuticals can be pricey, but this product is so worth it for the quality you’re getting. 

4. Algenist Algae Niacinamide Moisture Veil

The Algenist Algae Niacinamide Moisture Veil is a liquid moisturizer that helps preserve your skin’s barrier while reducing the look of oily skin.

This Algae Niacinamide serum is amazing for minimizing the look of fine lines and wrinkles—your skin will be visibly brighter, and you’ll notice improvements in the texture, too.

After a few uses, you’ll notice your pores have shrunk drastically, and your complexion looks overall more radiant. 

The only thing to be aware of while using the Moisture Veil is it has a shimmery undertone.

5. Glossier Super Pure Niacinamide + Zinc Serum 

The Glossier Super Pure Niacinamide + Zinc Serum is another favorite because not only is it effective, but it’s also on the more affordable side—it works to reset and balance the skin in just four weeks. 

I love that there’s zinc in this product because it helps minimize the look of congested pores without over-drying the skin.

Since the Super Pure Serum has a water-gel formula, it absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.

If you struggle with acne-prone skin, this Niacinamide + Zinc Serum will work wonders without causing inflammation or blemishes since the zinc soothes irritated skin.

You can shop for these niacinamide and retinol products by clicking below:

Retinol

6. Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment

Another top Paula’s Choice product is the 1% Retinol Treatment—it hydrates the skin and targets common signs of aging.

I love that this treatment has a controlled-release delivery system to allow even absorption. After regularly using retinol, your skin will start to look more youthful and your fine lines will begin fading away.

The 1% Retinol Treatment has a light lotion texture, making it easy to work into the skin.

Just apply a few drops of the retinol treatment after cleansing and toning up to three times a week. 

7. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I love Drunk Elephant—I featured the brand in my guide to Skincare After 30.

The A-Passioni Retinol Cream is unique because it contains a 1% vegan retinoid mixed with a triple-peptide blend and vitamin F.

All these ingredients work together to improve the look of wrinkles, even your skin texture, and calm irritation—this cream can do it all!

You only need a pea-sized amount of the Retinol Cream one to two times a week, so it’s sure to last.

8. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Retinoid Night Oil

If you’re looking for a luxurious nighttime treatment, the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Retinoid Night Oil is the perfect product for you.

This gentle Retinoid Oil uses avocado oil to reduce the look of fine lines, redness, and pores.

All you need is three to four drops of the Sleeping Night Oil to start seeing results—it’s gentle to use every day, just be sure to use SPF the following morning.

9. Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides and Peptide

The Kiehl’s brand Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum is effective at minimizing the look of wrinkles while firming the skin to promote a more even skin tone.

I love that this Ceramide and Peptide Serum is potent but doesn’t dry the skin to the point of peeling or causing any redness.

The ceramides and peptides in this serum and the retinol promote a gentle skin surface turnover. 

This Anti-Aging Serum is fast absorbing and suitable for all skin types—you can use it morning and night after cleansing.

After a few uses, you’ll begin to notice some major changes in the skin, like a more youthful and glowy complexion.

10. Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum

Last up is the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum which works on all skin types to promote anti-aging—you’ll notice major results after two weeks. 

The Youth Serum has retinol tri-active technology that fights fine lines and wrinkles while boosting skin radiance. I also love that it has hyaluronic acid to promote moisture levels.

All you need to do is massage a thin layer of the Retinol Serum into the skin after cleansing and toning.

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Those were all my favorite niacinamide and retinol products! I hope this guide inspires you to mix up your skincare routine. 

Be sure to tag me on Insta (@wtfab) so I can see your skincare lineup, and feel free to share any products you think I missed.

Shop for products featured in this niacinamide and retinol skincare guide by clicking below:

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