Vitamin C vs Niacinamide for Acne Marks

Acne marks are very common among the Indian people with diverse skin tones and acne-prone skin. They affect the overall appearance of the skin with discoloration, dark spots, pigmentation, redness and uneven skin tone. It is very important to prevent and manage them in a very gentle and effective way without worsening the compromised skin barrier due to active acne. Vitamin C as well as Niacinamide are two of the best active ingredients in modern skincare formulations to target the post-acne marks. 

These acne marks can be of two main types:

1. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
2. Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE)

PIH Vs PIE

This blog covers how Vitamin C and Niacinamide work to eradicate these acne marks together.

How Vitamin C Works To Prevent & Manage Acne Marks?

This can be done by its various properties such as: 

Anti-Oxidant Action

Vitamin C basically neutralizes the free radicals that are involved in damaging the skin barrier and puts the skin under oxidative stress. This helps reduce the inflammation on the skin.

Collagen Booster

Collagen basically supports the structural integrity of the defensive barrier and Vitamin C acts as a cofactor for the amino acids proline and lysine that helps in stabilizing the collagen through hydroxylation as well as also promotes collagen gene expression.This active ingredient may prevent collagen degradation and inhibit the increase of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1. This enzyme is the major collagenolytic enzyme responsible for collagen damage in UV-irradiated skin. 

Stimulation of ceramide production

Vitamin C basically helps to increase the ceramide synthesis by activating key enzymes like serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) as well as ceramide synthase (CerS).  It additionally protects the skin against irritation with stronger barrier.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

Vitamin C provides the skin with totally beneficial anti-inflammatory effects because of its ability to inhibit NF-kB. This factor is mainly responsible for the activation of inflammatory cytokines including Interleukins and TNF-alpha. These properties are important in the skincare for people with active acne so as to prevent the post-acne marks.

The Role Of Niacinamide Working Together With Vitamin C

Melanin Transfer Blocker

Niacinamide works deeper in the skin to block the transfer of melanin via melanosomes to the surface keratinocytes preventing the formation of dark spots on the skin. 

Inflammation Reduction

Niacinamide helps in suppressing the inflammatory pathways that are involved in disrupting the defensive barrier of the skin that may lead to the stimulation of melanocytes to produce excessive amounts of melanin.

Anti-Oxidant Action

Niacinamide or Vitamin B3 helps in reducing the oxidative stress on the skin by fighting off the damaging free radicals that may be increased due to pollution, prolonged UV exposure, high temperatures and humidity.

Sebum Control Activity

Niacinamide helps to support the natural moisture barrier that prevents the compensatory oil production by the sebaceous glands. It simply improves the oil regulation and promotes sebum control activity on the skin.

Vitamin C & Niacinamide For Acne Marks - Comparison Table

Popular Skincare Product Recommendations

Dot & Key Serum 10% Vit. C + E In Combination With 5% Niacinamide

This face serum is enriched with the goodness of Sicilian Orange and Vitamin E in a blend of 10% Vitamin C and 5% Niacinamide to target the pigmentation and uneven skin tone with post-acne marks for use on a daily basis.

The Derma Co Face Serum - 10% Vitamin C with 5% Niacinamide And Hyaluronic Acid

This face serum has 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid that is basically one of the most powerful forms of Vitamin C in a hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to support the skin barrier with active acne and acne marks. This serum is also enriched with the goodness of ferulic acid that enhances the effectiveness and stability of Vitamin C. It additionally supports the anti-oxidant action in a very natural way.

10% Vitamin C Face Serum For Triple Glow+++

This face serum provides the additional benefits of Glutathione and Australian Kakadu Plum in a blend with Niacinamide and Vitamin C to fade away the acne marks, pigmentation and dull skin.

Olay Vitamin C Face Cream with Niacinamide

This face cream is a light weight formula that is suitable for most of the Indian skin types such as oily skin, dry skin or combination skin. This moisturizer deeply penetrates the skin to promote the skin resilience as well as hydrates for healthy skin barrier.

Foxtale Brightening Moisturiser with Vitamin C & Niacinamide

This moisturizing formula provides the goodness of Papaya enzymes & Peptides in a combination with Vitamin C and Niacinamide to boost the natural glow of the skin while helping to reduce the dull skin, making it look brighter.

Nivea Super 10 Glow Body Serum Lotion

This body lotion provides sun protection in addition to providing the benefits of Niacinamide and Vitamin C. This lotion is non-greasy and perfect for oily, combination and acne-prone skin. This formula nourishes the skin with avocado oil, goji berry, licorice root and pomegranate extract to improve the radiance in a natural way.

How To Add Vitamin C And Niacinamide Together Into Your Daily Skincare

It is very important to perform a patch test of any skincare product and observe for any signs of side effects if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Start with a lower frequency at first and if severe irritation persists longer, you need to stop the use and consult a doctor immediately. As your skin adapts to the usage of Vitamin C and Niacinamide based skincare products, then slowly increase the frequency as per your comfort and ease. You can follow the below mentioned 4-Step Daytime and Nighttime Routines by Alite Skincare to gradually help fade away your post-acne marks. 

4-Step Skincare

Daytime Routine

1.Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser

You should use a face wash for removing the buildup of excess oils, dirt, sweat and bacteria from your skin on a daily basis to ensure clear and fresh skin all day long. You can choose from a variety of anti-acne cleansers for face and body including

• Alite Anti-Acne Face Wash
• Alite Foaming Face Wash
• Alite Neem Face Wash
• Alite Oil Control Face Wash
• Alite Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree Soap
• Alite Neem & Aloevera Soap
• Alite Neem & Turmeric Soap

2.Apply Alite Anti-Acne Gel

This gel formula provides targeted acne care to reduce the recurring breakouts on the skin. Apply a small amount of this gel on your actively inflamed pimples to soothe the inflammation and help to prevent the post-acne marks with the goodness of Niacinamide, Contacticel as well as Silanediol salicylate.

3.Vit.C + Niacinamide Moisturizer

Gently massage your moisturizer enriched with the goodness of Vitamin C and Niacinamide. Try to choose from options that are designed using non-comedogenic ingredients in a non-greasy formula.

4.Sunscreen

A sunscreen is non-negotiable when you have post-acne marks because solar UV radiations can prominently worsen the acne marks on your skin. Look for lightweight formulas with low comedogenicity and it should leave no white residue on skin after application for a protected barrier.

Nighttime Routine

1.Dual cleansing

First wipe out the product buildup from the skin in a very gentle manner using micellar water or a cleansing balm/oil. Then, use an anti-acne face wash to deeply remove the residues of excess oil, dirt, sweat, pollutants, etc. This helps significantly to: 

• Reduce decongested pores
• Control excessive oiliness on skin
• Fight acne microbes on skin
• Minimize Acne & Acne Marks on skin

2.Apply Vit. C + Niacinamide Serum

You should use potent and high strength serums during the night skincare routine as it provides minimal irritation due to less exposure to high heat, sun rays (UV radiations), moist & polluted air. It delivers concentrated active ingredients to the skin barrier within an utmost lightweight formula.

• Take a few drops of serum in your palm
• Massage it gently on your skin

3.Layer with hydrating Alite Anti-Acne Gel

This niacinamide gel helps to fight acne and subsequently reduce the post-acne marks on the skin with inhibition of melanin transfer to the skin surface to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone too.

4.End with barrier repair moisturizer

A moisturizer totally helps to seal in the hydration in the skin and preserve the natural moisture barrier of the skin with a nourishing formula to promote barrier-repair to strengthen the skin barrier and soothe the inflammation on skin.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

You should not forget to reapply the sunscreen if you are out in the sun for prolonged hours. Try not to skip the step of application of the hydrating moisturizer even for people with oily or combination skin type as dehydrated skin can still promote compensatory oil production leading to congestion of the pores. This further aggravates acne as well as inflammation on skin leading to post-acne marks. A patch testing is non-negotiable if you have skin prone to breakouts or sensitive skin with risk of irritation from use of Vitamin C or Niacinamide. Try not to cleanse your skin more than twice a day as it may disrupt the natural moisture barrier, stripping away the essential lipids from the skin, making it more vulnerable to damage from environmental stressors like high heat, humidity, pollution, etc. 

Summary

Acne marks are very common among the Indian people with diverse skin tones and acne-prone skin. They affect the overall appearance of the skin with discoloration, dark spots, pigmentation, redness and uneven skin tone. These acne marks can be of two types: Brown (PIH) and Red (PIE) marks on skin. Vitamin C provides anti-oxidant support, boost to collagen fibres and ceramides with additional anti-inflammatory effect to the skin. In combination with Vitamin C, Niacinamide supports the skin barrier by reducing the appearance of dark spots by blocking the melanin transfer to the skin surface with additional anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and sebum control action. Popular skincare products formulated with this blend include:

• Dot & Key Serum 10% Vit. C + E Combination With 5% Niacinamide
• The Derma Co Face Serum - 10% Vitamin C with 5% Niacinamide And Hyaluronic Acid 
• 10% Vitamin C Face Serum For Triple Glow+++
• Olay Vitamin C Face Cream with Niacinamide
• Foxtale Brightening Moisturiser with Vitamin C & Niacinamide
• Nivea Super 10 Glow Body Serum Lotion

You can follow simple 4-Step routine in your daytime and nighttime as mentioned below: