Walk into any skincare conversation and two names come up again and again: niacinamide and Vitamin C. Both are proven, both are popular, and both appear in almost every “best serum” list. But they do different jobs. Here is how to choose the right one for your skin, and why you might not have to choose at all.
What Vitamin C does
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It helps protect the skin from the everyday stress of sun and pollution, and it is best known for:
- Brightening dull, tired-looking skin
- Fading the look of dark spots and uneven tone
- Supporting collagen for firmer-looking skin
The challenge with Vitamin C is that pure ascorbic acid breaks down quickly once a bottle is opened. That is why our Vitamin C 15% Brightening Serum uses a stable Tri-Ascorbic blend: Ascorbyl Glucoside, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, designed to stay effective from the first drop to the last.
What niacinamide does
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3. It is the calm, balancing all-rounder of skincare, known for:
- Balancing oil and the look of shine
- Refining the look of pores
- Strengthening the skin barrier, so skin feels less sensitive
- Evening out tone and redness
Our Vitamin B3 5% + Peptides Serum pairs 5% niacinamide with two peptides, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, to support firmness and collagen renewal too.
Side by side
- Your main concern is dullness or dark spots: start with Vitamin C.
- Your main concern is oil, pores or breakouts: start with niacinamide.
- Your skin is sensitive or easily red: niacinamide is the gentler first step.
- You want firmer-looking skin: both help, Vitamin C through collagen support and our B3 serum through its peptides.
Can you use niacinamide and Vitamin C together?
Yes. The old advice that they cancel each other out came from early studies using pure forms under conditions very different from real skincare. With modern, stable formulas, they work well in the same routine. An easy way to use both:
- Morning: Vitamin C, then moisturiser and SPF. Its antioxidant protection is most useful during the day.
- Evening: niacinamide, then moisturiser.
If your skin is new to active serums, introduce one at a time, a week or two apart, so you can see how your skin responds.
Make it a ritual with LED
Both serums pair beautifully with the Collagen Booster Mask 2.0. Use the mask on clean, dry skin, then apply your serum straight after.
- For glow and dark spots: the Glow Ritual, the LED mask with Vitamin C.
- For breakouts and oily skin: the Clear Skin Ritual, the LED mask on blue light with Vitamin B3.
- For both, without the mask: pair Vitamin C in the morning with niacinamide at night.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, niacinamide or Vitamin C?
Neither is better: they do different jobs. Choose Vitamin C for brightness and dark spots, and niacinamide for oil, pores and a stronger skin barrier.
Can I use niacinamide and Vitamin C at the same time?
Yes. With stable, modern formulas they can be used in the same routine. Many people use Vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide in the evening.
Is niacinamide good for sensitive skin?
Niacinamide is generally well tolerated and helps support the skin barrier, which makes it a good first active for sensitive skin. Always patch test a new product first.
Do I need SPF with Vitamin C?
Yes. Vitamin C supports your skin's defence against environmental stress, but it is not a sunscreen. Apply SPF every morning.
How long until I see results?
Many people notice brighter, smoother skin within a few weeks. For dark spots and firmness, give it 8 to 12 weeks of daily use.
Results vary from person to person. This article is for information only and is not medical advice.