# Can You Use Niacinamide With Tretinoin?

> Yes, niacinamide and tretinoin can be used together, and niacinamide moisturizers may help with tretinoin irritation. How to layer them and what studies show.

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Author: Anti Aging Care Editorial Team
Published: 2026-10-24
Category: Skincare

Yes, niacinamide and tretinoin can be used together. The short answer: they work differently and don't cancel each other out, and a niacinamide-containing moisturizer may make tretinoin easier to tolerate. Start tretinoin slowly, and add niacinamide as a gentle supporting step.

## What each one does

| | Tretinoin | Niacinamide |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Prescription retinoid | Vitamin B3 |
| Evidence | Improved photoaged skin in a controlled trial ([Weiss et al., *JAMA*, 1988](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3336176/)) | 5% improved fine lines, spots, texture, redness and sallowness over 12 weeks ([Bissett et al., *Int J Cosmet Sci*, 2004](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18492135/)); 2% lowered sebum measures ([Draelos et al., *J Cosmet Laser Ther*, 2006](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16766489/)) |
| Main side effects | Dryness, peeling, redness | Usually well tolerated |

## Studies that combined them

- **Acne with a retinoid:** In an 8-week split-face trial of 40 people using adapalene (a retinoid) and benzoyl peroxide, a moisturizer with ceramides and niacinamide improved acne lesions more than a basic cream and helped reduce irritation ([Tempark et al., *J Cosmet Dermatol*, 2024](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38299457/)).
- **Wrinkles, cosmetic vs tretinoin:** In an 8-week trial of 196 women, a regimen of niacinamide, peptides and 0.3% retinyl propionate improved wrinkle appearance more than 0.02% tretinoin at 8 weeks, with similar benefits at 24 weeks, and was better tolerated. It compared whole regimens, not niacinamide alone ([Fu et al., *Br J Dermatol*, 2010](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20374604/)).
- **Moisturizers and tretinoin:** In a split-face trial, adding a moisturizer to daily tretinoin 0.05% made irritation milder ([Schorr et al., *J Drugs Dermatol*, 2012](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23135655/)).

## How to layer them

**At night**
1. Gentle cleanser, then wait until skin is dry.
2. Pea-sized amount of tretinoin.
3. Niacinamide serum or a moisturizer with niacinamide.

Some people prefer niacinamide first as a buffer. Either order is fine if your skin tolerates it.

**In the morning**
1. Niacinamide serum.
2. Moisturizer.
3. Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ ([AAD: sunscreen FAQs](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs)).

Using niacinamide in the morning and tretinoin at night is a simple way to get both without layering.

## Tips

- Introduce one product at a time so you know what's causing any irritation.
- Choose fragrance-free niacinamide products.
- Higher niacinamide percentages aren't necessarily better; the trials used 2% to 5%.
- If you're pregnant or trying to conceive, ask your doctor before using tretinoin ([AAD: retinoids](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol)).

## Frequently asked questions

**Do niacinamide and tretinoin cancel each other out?** There's no evidence that they do.

**Can niacinamide reduce tretinoin purging?** It may help with irritation, but it won't stop the initial adjustment period.

**Can I use niacinamide every day with tretinoin?** Most people can.

_This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about your situation._

## Sources

- Weiss JS et al. Topical tretinoin improves photoaged skin. *JAMA*. 1988. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3336176/)
- Bissett DL et al. Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin. *Int J Cosmet Sci*. 2004. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18492135/)
- Draelos ZD et al. The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production. *J Cosmet Laser Ther*. 2006. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16766489/)
- Tempark T et al. Efficacy of ceramides and niacinamide-containing moisturizer versus hydrophilic cream in combination with topical anti-acne treatment. *J Cosmet Dermatol*. 2024. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38299457/)
- Fu JJ et al. A randomized, controlled comparative study of the wrinkle reduction benefits of a cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate product regimen vs a prescription 0.02% tretinoin product regimen. *Br J Dermatol*. 2010. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20374604/)
- Schorr ES et al. Adjunctive use of a facial moisturizer SPF 30 containing ceramide precursor improves tolerability of topical tretinoin 0.05%. *J Drugs Dermatol*. 2012. [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23135655/)
- American Academy of Dermatology. [Retinoids](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol); [Sunscreen FAQs](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs)