Can You Use Niacinamide and Glycolic acid Together?

Yes, they work well together

Yes. Niacinamide doesn’t exfoliate, so it won’t stack irritation with glycolic acid. Use glycolic acid at night a few times a week and niacinamide daily.

How to use niacinamide and glycolic acid in one routine

Morning

Cleanser, niacinamide, moisturizer, sunscreen

Night

Cleanser, glycolic acid, niacinamide, moisturizer

Why

Glycolic acid is the exfoliant here. Niacinamide is a vitamin B3 serum that most people tolerate well.

Because only one of them exfoliates, irritation doesn’t stack the way it does when you layer two acids or an acid with a retinoid.

What to watch for

The FDA requires a sunburn alert on cosmetics with glycolic acid, because it can make skin more sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen every morning.

Check your whole routine

The checker below starts with this pair selected. Tap anything else you use to see every pairing and a routine that keeps them apart.

Tap the actives you use (pick two or more)

1 pairing checked

Niacinamide + Glycolic / lactic acid (AHA)
Fine together
Niacinamide is not an exfoliant, so it doesn’t stack irritation. It pairs well with most actives. Read more

A routine that keeps them apart

Morning

Cleanser → Niacinamide → moisturizer → sunscreen

Night

Cleanser → Niacinamide → Glycolic / lactic acid (AHA) → moisturizer

On a prescription? Ask your prescriber before adding other actives. Want this checked against your actual products? Acnera scans your whole routine.

Frequently asked questions