Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid: What’s The Difference?

ByElizabeth B.S., M.S. Published On Last Updated

This post may contain affiliate links.

is niacinamide or salicylic acid better

Niacinamide and salicylic acid are two of the most popular ingredients in skincare. But what’s the difference between them? And which one is better for you? While they do share some similar properties, they do very different things, so depending on your skin concerns, one may be the better option. Let’s take a look at Niacinamide vs Salicylic Acid and determine which one is best for you.

What Is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid, also known as Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) is a type of chemical exfoliant that is usually produced by the Willow Bark plant. It’s an oil-soluble exfoliant, which means it can penetrate through the oil on your pores and on your skin and get down deep to unclog and remove any impurities. Because of this, salicylic acid is often used for acne treatments and is great for oily and acne prone skin types and for individuals with clogged pores, blackheads and sebaceous filaments

BHA works by ‘ungluing’ dead skin cells from each other so they can be easily exfoliated away. Dead skin cells tend to stick to each other and getting them loosened can be tricky if you don’t use the right products.

Salicylic acid can help to remove dead skin cells as well as unclog pores, reduce blackheads, balance oil production and minimize pores. Since it can travel deep into the pore and clean it out, BHA’s can target acne in ways that glycolic acid or other AHA’s can’t.

Some key properties of salicylic acid include:

  • Anti-bacterial – BHA’s can kill the bacteria responsible for causing acne which can treat and prevent acne
  • Anti-inflammatory – can help to reduce swelling and redness associated with pimples, especially inflammatory lesions like pustles or cysts
  • Oil-soluble – can cut through the oil on your skin to exfoliate deeper into the pore instead of only exfoliating the surface like AHA’s do

Related post: Can You Use Salicylic Acid And Hyaluronic Acid Together?

Benefits Of Salicylic Acid

  • Treats active acne – salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties which helps to decrease inflammation associated with pimples and can help to heal them quicker
  • Prevents acne – BHA can treat active acne, but it also prevents new acne from forming by killing acne causing bacteria, balancing oil production and unclogging pores. It’s a comedolytic agent which means it prevents comedolytic acne like blackheads or closed comedones
  • Smooths skin – salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent which means it can break down the outer layer of dead skin. This can help with closed comedones and smooth out rough skin texture
  • Decreases oil production – BHA’s are known for their ability to help regulate and balance oil production. They do so by regulating sebocytes which are the cells that produce the sebum/oil in your skin
  • Minimizes pores – keeping pores clean can help them appear smaller

Related post: Can BHA Cause Purging

Who Should Use Salicylic Acid

All skin types can use salicylic acid, but it’s best for those with combination, oily and acne-prone skin types.

If you struggle with any kind of acne – clogged pores, blackheads, pustules or papules, BHA’s are a great treatment for you.

What Is Niacinamide?

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that offers a ton of benefits for the skin. It’s become one of the most popular skincare ingredients in the last few years because it can truly do it all. It’s often found in many different skincare products from cleansers to moisturizers.

Niacinamide is known for its ability to brighten skin tone, improve the appearance of enlarged pores and even out skin texture. Along with a long list of other benefits (which we’ll get into later), Niacinamide can be used by all skin types which makes it a great, versatile ingredient.

Benefits of Niacinamide

Niacinamide offers a ton of different benefits for the skin and can be used no matter what your skin type or skin concerns.

  • Anti-inflammatory – Niacinamide is a great anti-inflammatory ingredient that can reduce redness and irritation from acne or sensitive skin. It also helps to calm acne breakouts, rosacea and other inflammatory skin conditions
  • Antioxidant – Niacinamide is an incredible antioxidant that can help to protect the skin against free radical damage
  • Strengthens skin’s barrier – Niacinamide is known for its ability to strengthen the skin’s barrier which can prevent transepidermal water loss that leads to dehydrated and dry skin. A healthy skin barrier is essential for healthy skin
  • Fades hyperpigmentation – Niacinamide can help to fade the appearance of hyperpigmentation scars and dark spots and other pigmentation issues by inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes (essentially it stops pigment from forming)
  • Minimizes pores – it’s known for its ability to minimize and reduce the look of large pores. It does so keeping the skin hydrated which can diminish the look of texture and pores
  • Regulates oil production – Niacinamide can be used to balance the production of sebum/oil in the skin making it perfect for those with oily, combination and acne-prone skin types. It’s also great for those who struggle with excess oil on their t-zone or other parts of their face
  • Helps acne – because niacinamide can reduce oil production, it can help to reduce acne. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can decrease the size and swelling of blemishes as well as reduce redness
  • Smooths fine lines & wrinkles – Niacinamide can help to treat and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in aging skin. It does so by stimulating collagen production which gives the skin a plumper appearance
  • Increases hydration – niacinamide can help to increase the skin’s moisture levels which prevents transepidermal water loss. This is especially great for those with dry, dehydrated or mature skin types

Who Should Use Niacinamide

Anyone can benefit from using niacinamide and it’s a great ingredient for all skin types. It’s especially beneficial for those with dry, sensitive and mature skin types as well as those struggling with pigmentation or wrinkles.

Niacinamide is also safe for those who struggle with blemishes, blackheads or whiteheads (or really any type of acne!).

It has a wide variety of skin benefits so it can help keep your skin barrier healthy and strong or treat oily skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

Although Niacinamide can be used by all skin types, some people may experience irritation or flushing when using niacinamide. This is usually due to using a high concentration or using it with actives (which can cause a flushing).

If you are new to niacinamide or have sensitive/reactive skin, try a low concentration first to see how your skin tolerates it.

Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid Similarities

should I use niacinamide or salicylic acid

Both niacinamide and salicylic acid are great options for those with oily and acne-prone skin. They can both help to regulate oil production and keep the skin from overproducing oil. They can also both help to minimize the look of large pores.

Both also have anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe any irritation and also reduce redness and swelling associated with pimples.

Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid Differences

While it may seem that niacinamide and salicylic acid may seem pretty similar in terms of what they do, there are quite a few big differences in these two ingredients.

For example, niacinamide has many properties that make it a great ingredient for general skin health. It can help to keep skin hydrated and strengthen the skin barrier. Salicylic acid does not have these properties.

Another big difference is that salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the skin and niacinamide does not have any kind of exfoliating action.

Salicylic acid also does not have any brightening properties and does not really help fade pigmentation or acne scars the way niacinamide can.

Niacinamide

  • A form of Vitamin B3
  • Water Soluble
  • Best for all skin types
  • Brightens dark spots
  • Strengthens skin’s barrier
  • Calms redness and irritation

Salicylic Acid

  • A Beta Hydroxy Acid
  • Oil Soluble
  • Best for oily and acne prone skin
  • Treats and prevents acne
  • Controls oil production
  • Gently exfoliates

Related Post: Salicylic Acid Vs Lactic Acid

Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid: The Battle

Niacinamide Or Salicylic Acid For Acne Scars

Niacinamide will help to fade acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Salicylic acid does exfoliate the skin, but it’s not known for its ability to help treat acne scarring. Niacinamide is a great ingredient to help fade discolorations and pigmentation, so it’s the best option if you’re dealing with scarring.

Niacinamide Or Salicylic Acid For Pores

Both niacinamide and salicylic acid can help to minimize the appearance of pores. Niacinamide works by strengthening the skin barrier, which in turn helps to prevent water-loss that can lead to dry, dehydrated skin – which makes it great for minimizing the look of large pores. Salicylic acid is an exfoliant which unclogs pores and reduces sebum production which can also help to diminish the look of large pores.

Niacinamide Or Salicylic Acid For Blackheads

Since salicylic acid can unclog pores and treat and prevent acne, it will be the best option for getting rid of blackheads. It can help to unclog the pores and get rid of any blackheads, but it can also help to prevent blackheads from forming.

Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid For Oily Skin

Both! Because salicylic acid can directly affect the sebocytes (which are the cells that produce sebum/oil) it can have a huge impact on how oily your skin gets. Niacinamide has also been show to help control and balance oil production. They are both wonderful ingredients for those with oily skin and you can’t go wrong with either one. But if you want maximum oil control, try adding both into your routine.

Related Post: What’s The Difference Between Azelaic Acid And Salicylic Acid?

Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid FAQs

which is best niacinamide vs salicylic acid

Can You Mix Niacinamide And Salicylic?

Niacinamide and salicylic acid can be used together and the two make a great combo. However, when using them together, you’ll need to apply the BHA first, wait at least 30 minutes and then apply your niacinamide.

Related post: can you mix niacinamide with tretinoin?

Is Niacinamide Or Salicylic Acid Better For Acne?

Salicylic acid is best for treating and preventing acne. It’s commonly used in OTC products as well as prescriptions for acne treatments. It can help to unclog pores, reduce oil production and kill acne causing bacteria. Niacinamide does have some anti-acne properties, so it can be a great ingredient to add into your routine, but salicylic acid is the better option here.

How To Use Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid

Both ingredients can easily be incorporated into your routine. Depending what products you are using and if you are using both ingredients, how you use them will slightly differ.

If you are only using a salicylic acid product such as a BHA serum or toner, you want to apply that first before any other products. Be sure to cleanse your skin like normal and follow with your toner or salicylic acid serum. Then you can follow with the rest of your routine like normal.

If you are using a niacinamide product, you can follow the thinnest to thickest rule. So if it’s a niacinamide serum, you can apply it after your toner but before moisturizer.

If you are using both and needing to layer niacinamide with salicylic acid, you will want to apply your salicylic acid first, wait at least 30 minutes and then apply the niacinamide product on top. See the link below for more information about using them together.

Related Post: Can You Use Salicylic And With Niacinamide?

Niacinamide Vs Salicylic Acid: Wrap Up

Niacinamide and salicylic acid are both great ingredients for treating acne and have a variety of other benefits as well. Salicylic acid is the better option for treating acne, while niacinamide is great for fading scarring and hyperpigmentation. They can both be used together and create a brightening, acne-fighting duo.

Related post: Azelaic Acid And Niacinamide: Can They Be Used Together?

B.S. Micr. Immunol. M.S. Chemistry

Elizabeth is a science nerd and skincare addict with a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology and Immunology and a masters degree in Chemistry. Her own struggles with her skin inspired her to learn more about the science behind the skin and skincare ingredients. With her scientific background and research experience, she's a pro at deconstructing scientific studies and medical jargon. She’s on a mission to tell you what works and what doesn’t do you can save time and money and get the skin of your dreams.

Similar Posts