Hyaluronic Acid Versus Niacinamide: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve done any research about your skincare routine recently, you’ve probably come across information about hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, two rockstar ingredients. Both are used extensively in the most hydrating formulas – and although they’re both linked to deep moisture, there are some differences. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide serve different purposes in your routine. Let’s find out what they are.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan – or a long polysaccharide carbohydrate made of sugar molecules that have bonded together. It’s much easier to remember that it is a transparent, gooey, gel-like substance. Your body naturally makes hyaluronic acid. It is found in the eyes, joints, skin, and connective tissues.

In skincare, hyaluronic acid is best known for helping the skin retain moisture. It also helps the skin look smooth and plump. Unfortunately, levels of hyaluronic acid decrease after age 40, leading to dry skin and thinner skin. However, hyaluronic acid can hold 1,000 times its own weight in water. That’s why it is a popular ingredient in anti-aging skincare.

What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?

The biggest benefit of hyaluronic acid is that it helps the skin retain moisture. And as a result:

• Skin looks smoother
• Skin looks tighter and more supple
• Skin is hydrated and less dry
• The appearance of fine lines is minimized
• Skin appears more radiant

How does hyaluronic acid work?

Hyaluronic acid is long and stringy. When it absorbs water, it forms a gel that helps with structure in the skin. As a result, it attracts moisture to the surface of your skin. This is why it leads to plump-looking skin – and why hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient in our Hibiscus Infused Vitamin C Serum and Overnight Sleep Mask.

What is niacinamide?

Niacinamide does not work in the same way as hyaluronic acid. Where hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan, niacinamide is a vitamin. It is a form of Vitamin B3, a water-soluble vitamin. The human body does not produce this vitamin.

In skincare, niacinamide is used in many topical creams, serums, and cleansers because it is gentle and powerful all at once. Some people call niacinamide the “jack-of-all-trades” in skincare because of what it can do.

What does niacinamide do?

If you’ve ever heard about the benefits of niacinamide, you might be surprised. Niacinamide has been linked to:

• Maintaining normal sebum production
• Reducing hyperpigmentation
• Helping retain moisture
• Reducing redness
• Strengthening the lipid barrier of the skin
• Minimizing fine lines and wrinkles
• Protecting against oxidation
• Smoothing pores

This does not mean more niacinamide is better. Although it is powerful, a little goes a long way! Niacinamide is also the star player in the Teami Overnight Sleep Mask.

What do hyaluronic acid and niacinamide have in common?

Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide have some characteristics in common. Each one has moisturizing properties and healthy aging benefits. They are also both gentle and safe for all skin types, even for people with oily skin, sensitive skin, and acne. Each ingredient helps support a healthy skin barrier.

Can I use hyaluronic acid and niacinamide together?

Absolutely! Many beauty products combine these ingredients because they work well together, including the Overnight Sleep Mask.

The outer layer of your skin is called the stratum corneum (or your skin barrier). It has a brick-like structure where the skin cells or “the bricks” are held together with lipids. The lipids help your skin retain water and protect it from irritants and pathogens entering the body. The overall hydration of your skin depends on these lipids. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can play a role in how this hydration system works.

Niacinamide helps increase fatty acids and decreases water loss in dry skin, while hyaluronic acid helps the skin maintain moisture. These two ingredients complement each other’s hydrating effects, and the result is deeply hydrated skin. This is especially useful for people with dry skin, acne-prone skin, and aging skin.

If you want to increase moisture in your skin, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are a powerful duo when used together. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar and niacinamide is a vitamin. However, they both have their benefits when it comes to strengthening the skin barrier, brightening the skin, and leaving behind a smooth, supple, and radiant complexion!

What are your favorite skincare ingredients and skincare products from Teami? Drop a comment and let us know or show us your skincare routine on Instagram! Tag us with #thankyouteami – and don’t forget to follow us for updates.