This is one of the easy pairings in skincare. But a few small tips make it work better, and there's one thing worth knowing.
What each one does
| Ingredient | What it is | Best known for helping skin look |
|---|---|---|
| Niacinamide | A form of vitamin B3 that does a bit of everything | Even, calm, hydrated, with smaller-looking pores |
| Peptides | Tiny pieces of protein | Firmer, smoother, with softer fine lines |
They aim at different things, so they help each other out instead of getting in each other's way. That's why you'll often find them together in the same serum.
How to put them on
- Wash your face. If you use a watery toner, put that on next.
- Put on the thinner product first. If your niacinamide and your peptide are two separate serums, the more watery one goes on first.
- Next comes the thicker one, then your moisturiser.
- In the morning, finish with sunscreen. Out of everything here, sunscreen has the most proof behind it.
What it can claim
- Be used together in the same routine
- Work on different goals at once (even tone plus a firmer look)
- Be mixed together in one well-made product
What it can’t claim
- Be assumed to boost each other and do way more together
- Take the place of sunscreen, or treat a real skin condition
- Promise results just because both are in the bottle
Keep it simple
You don't need a long, fancy routine. Niacinamide and a peptide, a moisturiser, and sunscreen every day is a fine, low-stress routine for helping your skin look healthy. Add one thing at a time. That way, if your skin gets upset, you'll know what caused it.
What this does not mean
- This does not mean using them together works better or faster than using either one on its own.
- This does not mean everyone can handle every niacinamide product. Very strong ones can feel a bit irritating for some people.