Can niacinamide be used with retinol?

Yes, niacinamide and retinol make an excellent pairing. Niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier and reduce inflammation, which can counteract some of the irritation associated with retinol use. Applying niacinamide before or after retinol is perfectly safe and many formulators combine them in a single product. This combination is particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin targeting both breakouts and aging simultaneously.