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Ingredient pairing

Can you mix Tretinoin and Niacinamide?

Same answer whichever way you searched it: Niacinamide and Tretinoin.

Fine togetherThey're fine together.

TretinoinNiacinamide

These two actually work well together, and are often formulated side by side.

Routine: You can use these together, morning or night.

TretinoinWorth paying for
Efficacy10
Acne10
Anti-aging10

Skip if: pregnancy, breastfeeding, very sensitive

Not in pregnancy
NiacinamideWorth paying for
Efficacy9
Barrier9
Acne8

Skip if: very sensitive in high

Building the section…

They're fine together.

These two actually work well together, and are often formulated side by side.

You can use these together, morning or night.

Written by Maya FaourHow we score →

Which one goes first?

Apply Niacinamide first

  1. 1Cleanse
  2. 2Niacinamide
  3. 3Tretinoin
  4. 4Moisturize

On freshly cleansed skin, Niacinamide goes on first, then Tretinoin over it. The rule of thumb is thinner and lower-pH first, richer last.

Tretinoin and Niacinamide: Fine together. They're fine together. These two actually work well together, and are often formulated side by side. Which goes first: Apply Niacinamide first.
The short version, if you want to keep it.

Adding Tretinoin and Niacinamide to your routine

  1. Good news first: these two get along, so there is no special order or waiting period to manage.
  2. Still add them one at a time, a week or two apart, so if your skin does react you know which one to look at.

For your skin type If your skin is sensitive or reactive, take this pair slowly: Tretinoin is the higher-irritation ingredient here, and using actives close together magnifies that.

Using a third ingredient? Check all three →Or decode a whole product label →
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Tretinoin and Niacinamide, answered

Can you mix Tretinoin and Niacinamide?

They're fine together. These two actually work well together, and are often formulated side by side.

Should you use Tretinoin and Niacinamide in the morning or at night?

Either. Tretinoin and Niacinamide are fine to use together, morning or night.

How should you introduce Tretinoin and Niacinamide?

Good news first: these two get along, so there is no special order or waiting period to manage. Still add them one at a time, a week or two apart, so if your skin does react you know which one to look at.

What else should you not mix with Tretinoin?

Tretinoin is best kept apart from Salicylic acid (BHA), Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Mandelic Acid. Introduce any new active one at a time.

Sources

Plus how we reach every verdict: how we score →

General guidance, not medical advice. When in doubt, introduce one product at a time, andhere is when to see a dermatologist instead.