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Ingredient pairing

Can you mix Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3?

Written by Maya FaourHow we score →

Fine togetherThey're fine together.

Salicylic acid (BHA)Vitamin B3

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

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

Salicylic acid (BHA)Worth paying for
Acne10
Efficacy9
Anti-aging5

Skip if: very sensitive, compromised barrier, pregnancy high

Ask your doctor in pregnancy
Vitamin B3Worth paying for
Efficacy9
Barrier9
Acne8

Skip if: very sensitive in high

Which one goes first?

Apply Salicylic acid (BHA) first

  1. 1Cleanse
  2. 2Salicylic acid (BHA)
  3. 3Vitamin B3
  4. 4Moisturize

On freshly cleansed skin, Salicylic acid (BHA) goes on first, then Vitamin B3 over it. The rule of thumb is thinner and lower-pH first, richer last.

Adding Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3 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 Sensitive skin should ease in gently: Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3 can be mildly irritating on their own, and more so alongside another active.

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More pairings with Vitamin B3

Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3, answered

Can you mix Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3?

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

Should you use Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3 in the morning or at night?

Either. Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3 are fine to use together, morning or night.

How should you introduce Salicylic acid (BHA) and Vitamin B3?

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 Salicylic acid (BHA)?

Salicylic acid (BHA) is best kept apart from Retinol, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinyl Palmitate. Introduce any new active one at a time.

Sources

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General guidance, not medical advice. When in doubt, introduce one product at a time.