Short answer. Yes, you can often use niacinamide and retinol in the same routine. Cleveland Clinic lists retinol among the products it says are "often helpful to pair" with niacinamide (Cleveland Clinic). If retinol is new to you, dermatologist Tina Alster, MD, FAAD, advises to "use it every other night to start, slowly building up" (AAD). Add one new product at a time.
Add the products on your shelf to Oleah. Oleah can flag products on your shelf that may not belong together. The day 3 check-in is the first look after you start.
Published 6 November 2026. Last updated 6 November 2026. Sources checked 31 October 2026. Written by the Oleah team from the sources listed below.
What are niacinamide and retinol?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. DermNet describes nicotinamide, also called niacinamide, as "the water-soluble, active form of vitamin B3" (DermNet, nicotinamide).
Retinol is a form of vitamin A used in skincare. DermNet says "Topical retinoids such as retinol and retinaldehyde are commonly added to cosmetics" (DermNet, topical retinoids). Prescribed retinoids such as tretinoin are a separate group.
Can you use niacinamide and retinol together?
Yes, in many routines. Cleveland Clinic lists retinol, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid among the products it suggests pairing with niacinamide (Cleveland Clinic). DermNet says nicotinamide "is well tolerated and often can be used by those who cannot tolerate topical retinoids or fruit acids" (DermNet).
That is not a promise for every pair of bottles. Aesthetician Ashlyn Yanke, LE, adds a caution on the same page. "Just make sure you’re not using too many skin care products with it at once," she told Cleveland Clinic.
| Question | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Can they share a routine? | Cleveland Clinic lists retinol among products to pair with niacinamide. |
| How strong is niacinamide? | Cleveland Clinic says most skin care products contain 5% or less. |
| When does retinol go on? | At night, dermatologist Tina Alster told the AAD. |
| How often to start retinol? | Every other night at first, then build up slowly, says dermatologist Tina Alster (AAD). |
| Which goes first? | We did not find a source that sets an order. Follow the label. |
How strong are your products?
Check the labels. Cleveland Clinic says "Most skin care products contain 5% or less niacinamide, but amounts can vary" (Cleveland Clinic).
Retinol is harder to read. Dermatologist Anne Chapas, MD, FAAD, spoke to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). "For over-the counter products, there’s no standard requirement that the percentage of retinol be disclosed on the label or packaging," she said (AAD, retinoid or retinol). The AAD page says she advises using the lowest formulation you can find.
Should niacinamide go on in the morning or at night?
Either can work, because retinol is the step with the timing rule. Dermatologist Tina Alster, MD, FAAD, advises using retinoids only at night, with sun protection during the day (AAD). Cleveland Clinic says niacinamide "can be used once or twice daily after gentle cleansing during your regular skin care routine" (Cleveland Clinic).
We did not find a source that sets which of the two goes first on a retinol night. Follow the label on each product. For the full order of steps, read what goes into a night skincare routine.
What does the evidence say?
"Nicotinamide is well tolerated and often can be used by those who cannot tolerate topical retinoids or fruit acids." DermNet, Nicotinamide
For your routine, this means niacinamide is usually the easier of the two to add. Retinol still needs a slow start on its own nights.
How do you start them without guessing?
- Patch test anything new. The AAD says to "Apply the product to a test spot twice daily for seven to 10 days" (AAD).
- Add one new product at a time. Dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, told the AAD "it is always best to introduce one new product at a time to ensure your skin can tolerate it" (AAD, 28 October 2025).
- Start retinol slowly. Dr. Alster told the AAD to "use it every other night to start, slowly building up" (AAD). Keep the nights in between to cleanser and moisturiser. For more, read how do you start using retinol.
- Add the products on your shelf to Oleah. Oleah can flag products on your shelf that may not belong together. The day 3 check-in is the first look after you start.
- Wear sunscreen in the day. Dr. Alster advises sun protection during the day while you use a retinoid (AAD).
If you are pregnant, the AAD page says "Retinoids should not be used during pregnancy." Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you use retinol.
How can you tell how it is going over time?
Look at a record, not one mirror glance. Take the morning face scan in Oleah, which takes about 30 seconds. Then look at the day 3 check-in, the day 7 report and the day 14 report.
These are looks at your own scans. They do not promise a change by a set day. If you start niacinamide and retinol in the same week, you cannot tell which one your skin is reacting to. To plan retinol and rest nights across the week, read what is skin cycling.
What if your skin stings?
If a product stings, burns or makes your skin red, wash it off and stop using it. If a doctor prescribed it, ask them first. If your skin stays sore, see a pharmacist or doctor. If it blisters or swells, see a doctor today. If your lips, tongue or throat swell, or you have trouble breathing, call emergency services now. Oleah is not a doctor and does not give medical advice.
How to check this on your own shelf
Oleah is our iPhone app for the skincare you already own. You add the products on your shelf or in your routine, and each morning you take a quick face scan that takes about 30 seconds. Oleah can flag products on your shelf that may not belong together. There is a check-in on day 3, a report on day 7 and a report on day 14. Oleah is not a doctor and does not give medical advice.
Download the free iPhone beta. Add the products on your shelf, then take a quick face scan in the morning.
Related: can you use niacinamide and vitamin C together? and can you use lactic acid and retinol in the same routine?
Questions people ask
Can you use niacinamide and retinol together? Yes, often. Cleveland Clinic lists retinol among the products to pair with niacinamide. Add one new product at a time.
Which goes first, niacinamide or retinol? Follow the label on each product. We did not find a source that sets an order.
Can I use niacinamide in the morning and retinol at night? Yes. Dermatologist Tina Alster advises using retinoids only at night (AAD). Niacinamide can go on in the morning or at night.
How often should I use retinol with niacinamide? Dermatologist Tina Alster advises starting retinol every other night and building up slowly (AAD). Keep the nights in between to cleanser and moisturiser.
What if my skin feels sore? If your skin stays sore, see a pharmacist or doctor. Oleah is not a doctor and does not give medical advice.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic, "Niacinamide: What It Is and Skin Benefits", 6 February 2026. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/niacinamide. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- DermNet, "Nicotinamide". https://dermnetnz.org/topics/nicotinamide. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- DermNet, "Topical retinoids". https://dermnetnz.org/topics/topical-retinoids. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology, "Retinoid or retinol?". https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology, "How to test skin care products". https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/prevent-skin-problems/test-skin-care-products. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology, "A dermatologist's guide to skincare from growing up to glowing up", 28 October 2025. https://www.aad.org/news/dermatologist-guide-skincare. Accessed 31 October 2026.
Oleah tracks how your skin looks. It is not a medical device. See a doctor about skin conditions.
