# Niacinamide and retinal

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

Depends on the strength

Use them at different times of day with [niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide) in the morning and [retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal) at night because combining them causes irritation. Niacinamide calms redness while retinal speeds up cell turnover, but using them together can overload the skin and cause dryness. The shopper can switch to a lower strength product or separate them into different parts of the daily routine.

[Retinoids: a journey from the molecular structures and mechanisms of action to clinical uses in dermatology and adverse effects](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28318351/) [Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28585191/)

- [All about niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide)
- [All about retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal)

### [Niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide) products

- [La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/la-roche-posay/toleriane-double-repair-face-moisturizer/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [CA$31.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07942ZQBT?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cerave/foaming-facial-cleanser/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$20.96 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08B8X96Q6?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cetaphil/gentle-skin-cleanser/for/dry-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$17.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BMJTOSW?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/la-roche-posay/toleriane-hydrating-gentle-cleanser/for/dry-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$30.56 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0052EM8L8?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/dr-althea/345-relief-cream/for/acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$28.45 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PK2P2XB?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/biodance/bio-collagen-real-deep-mask/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$24.09 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B2RM68G2?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/olay/regenerist-micro-sculpting-cream/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$35.96 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0012J30LY?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cerave/resurfacing-retinol-serum/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [CA$25.98 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NM9TFF2?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cerave/pm-facial-moisturizing-lotion/for/acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$20.96 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B083GG19DS?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/medicube/pdrn-pink-peptide-serum/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [CA$22.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DBF65JYY?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/cerave/renewing-sa-cleanser/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [CA$20.96 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08PR8YSBT?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/medicube/collagen-jelly-cream/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$33.18 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CM2PPNMW?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

### [Retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal) products

- [The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/the-ordinary/retinal-0-2-emulsion/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [CA$22.70 at Sephora](https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/the-ordinary-retinal-0-2-emulsion-serum-P510514?skuId=2735157)
- [Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/medik8/crystal-retinal-3/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [CA$114.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BHX7NYJG?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-overnight-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [CA$146.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BWGXDCWJ?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [celimax RETINAL SHOT](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/celimax/retinal-shot/for/acne-prone-skin) — Average fit — [CA$27.89 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DK4Y2YP3?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [NATURIUM Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/naturium/retinaldehyde-cream-serum-0-05/for/dry-skin) — Average fit — [CA$73.33 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DJFX5PS6?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Avène RetrinAL EYES](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/avene/retrinal-eyes/for/dry-skin) — High fit
- [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-body-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Average fit
- [K-SECRET SEOUl 1988 EYE CREAM](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/k-secret/seoul-1988-eye-cream/for/mature-skin) — Average fit — [CA$20.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DGGBYDRZ?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/geek-and-gorgeous/a-game-5/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [CA$33.65 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08TTP8589?tag=lovi-care-web-product01-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Peach & Lily Retinal For All Renewing Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/peach-and-lily/retinal-for-all-renewing-serum/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit
- [Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/medik8/crystal-retinal-ceramide-eye-3/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [CA$76.00 at Sephora](https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/product/crystal-retinal-ceramide-eye-age-defying-night-eye-cream-P525999?skuId=3011160)
- [Rodan + Fields Intensive Renewing Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/p/rodan-fields/intensive-renewing-serum/for/mature-skin) — High fit

## Questions and answers

### Can you use niacinamide and retinal together?

Yes, you can use [niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide) and [retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal) together depending on the strength, and products like Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth [Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/serum) combine them. Using low strengths or separating them by using niacinamide in the morning and retinal at night helps reduce irritation and redness.

### Which goes first, niacinamide or retinal?

It depends on the strength, so use niacinamide in the morning and retinal at night to avoid irritation. Products like Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum feature both ingredients.

### Are niacinamide and retinal good for sensitive skin?

Yes, depending on the strength, niacinamide and retinal are good for sensitive skin when used correctly. Low percentages and buffered products help reduce irritation and redness, and you can use niacinamide in the morning and retinal at night.

## Research on niacinamide and retinal

- [The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12100180/) Niacinamide · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
- [Mechanistic Basis and Clinical Evidence for the Applications of Nicotinamide (Niacinamide) to Control Skin Aging and Pigmentation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34439563/) Niacinamide · Antioxidants, 2021
- [Randomized controlled study for the anti-aging effect of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide after laser therapy](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33103316/) Niacinamide · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
- [Senomorphic activity of a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: correlation with clinical improvement of skin aging](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39009698/) Niacinamide · Scientific Reports, 2024

## Other combinations

- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinol-and-niacinamide)
- Depends on the strength: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-niacinamide)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-citric-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [Glycolic acid and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-niacinamide)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-lactic-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-mandelic-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and salicylic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-salicylic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-copper-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and gluconolactone](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-gluconolactone)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and lactobionic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-lactobionic-acid)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and cholesterol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-cholesterol)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-lauric-acid)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and linoleic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-linoleic-acid)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-tri-ceramide-complex)
- Depends on the strength: [Adapalene and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/adapalene-and-niacinamide)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and granactive retinoid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-granactive-retinoid)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and pro-retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-pro-retinol)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and retinoid blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinoid-blend)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and tretinoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-tretinoin)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and vitamin A](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-vitamin-a)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and bio-placenta peptides](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-bio-placenta-peptides)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-collagen-peptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-copper-peptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and hexapeptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-hexapeptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-hyaluronic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-mandelic-acid)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and bakuchiol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-bakuchiol)
- Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinal)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and zinc](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-zinc)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and zinc gluconate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-zinc-gluconate)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and zinc oxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-zinc-oxide)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and zinc sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-zinc-sulfate)
- Work well together: [Benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-niacinamide)
- Keep them apart: [Niacinamide and lipohydroxy acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-lipohydroxy-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-retinal)
- Work well together: [Ferulic acid and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/ferulic-acid-and-niacinamide)
- Work well together: [Green tea and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/green-tea-and-niacinamide)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and vitamin E](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-vitamin-e)
- Keep them apart: [Niacinamide and isopropyl alcohol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-isopropyl-alcohol)
- Work well together: [Niacinamide and ascorbyl glucoside](https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-ascorbyl-glucoside)

## About the Lovi Fit

Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes.

Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning.

Behind this pairing advice: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board).

Page built Nov 8, 2026.

More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt

## This page in other countries

- United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal (this page)
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal