Can you use adapalene with niacinamide?

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    AnswerYes. In a trial, niacinamide cream with nightly adapalene was well tolerated.

    These two get along. Niacinamide is one of the gentlest actives around, and adapalene's label leaves room for it.

    Lab reportAd × Nc · reviewed November 8, 2026
    VerdictFine to use togetherSame routine
    WhyIn a 6-week trial, a niacinamide cream (with zinc) used with nightly adapalene was well tolerated, though mild side effects were somewhat more common by week 6. Adapalene's label allows moisturizers.
    MorningNiacinamide moisturizer SPF 30+
    NightAdapalene, thin layer niacinamide moisturizer
    StartUse adapalene only once a day; niacinamide can start right away.
    Both at onceFine. Apply a thin layer of adapalene, let it dry, then niacinamide and moisturizer. Early irritation from adapalene usually lessens with use.

    What each one does

    Adapalene

    What adapalene does

    A retinoid sold without a prescription for acne (Differin 0.1%). Used once a day; dryness and redness are common at first.

    Usual over-the-counter strength: 0.1%

    Niacinamide

    What niacinamide does

    A form of vitamin B3, studied for acne, oily skin and dark spots. Reviews describe it as extremely well tolerated.

    Usual over-the-counter strength: 2–5%

    Can you use niacinamide with adapalene?

    Yes. In a 6-week study, a niacinamide cream used with nightly adapalene was well tolerated. That fits adapalene's label, which says moisturizers may be used and that its early irritation usually lessens with continued use. Niacinamide itself is well tolerated and can often be used even by people who can't tolerate topical retinoids or fruit acids.

    SourcesSitohang et al., J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2020FDA label (DailyMed): Differin Gel 0.1% (adapalene, OTC)DermNet: Nicotinamide (updated March 2018)

    Why niacinamide is a good match for a retinoid

    Adapalene's first weeks can bring redness and dryness. Niacinamide works in the opposite direction:

    • It has been shown to ease inflammation, which can help calm redness.
    • In a 12-week split-face study, 5% niacinamide improved fine lines, pigmentation, texture and red blotchiness.
    • Unlike niacin, niacinamide does not cause flushing; the flushing people fear comes from high oral doses of niacin, not from topical niacinamide.

    SourcesMarques et al., Antioxidants, 2024DermNet: NicotinamideCleveland Clinic: Top 6 benefits of niacinamide (Feb. 2026)

    How to layer them

    Keep adapalene to once a day in a thin layer; niacinamide can start right away. At night, apply adapalene to clean, dry skin, let it dry, then niacinamide and your moisturizer. In the morning, niacinamide goes on after cleansing, then moisturizer and SPF. Most niacinamide products are 5% or less, it can be used once or twice daily, and a niacinamide serum can even be mixed into your moisturizer. If your skin is sensitive, start with a low concentration and patch test on your forearm for 24 hours first.

    SourcesFDA label (DailyMed): adapalene gel 0.1%, OTC Drug Facts and leaflet (Dec. 2022)Cleveland Clinic: Top 6 benefits of niacinamide (Feb. 2026)

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    Questions people ask

    Can I apply niacinamide and adapalene at the same time?

    Yes. Put a thin layer of adapalene on first, let it dry, then niacinamide. A 6-week study of niacinamide cream with nightly adapalene found the combination well tolerated.

    SourcesSitohang et al., J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2020Cleveland Clinic: Top 6 benefits of niacinamide (Feb. 2026)

    Will niacinamide make adapalene less effective?

    We found nothing showing that. A 6-week study using niacinamide cream with nightly adapalene reported it was well tolerated, and niacinamide is generally gentle, often usable even by people who can't tolerate retinoids.

    SourcesSitohang et al., J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2020DermNet: Nicotinamide (updated March 2018)

    Does niacinamide cause flushing like niacin?

    No. Flushing is an effect of high oral doses of niacin; topical niacinamide has no such vasodilating effect and doesn't cause flushing.

    SourcesMarques et al., Antioxidants, 2024DermNet: Nicotinamide (updated March 2018)

    Can I use niacinamide and adapalene while pregnant?

    Niacinamide is a gentler question than adapalene. Most experts recommend stopping adapalene during pregnancy, so the retinoid is the part to pause and discuss with your doctor. See our pregnancy-safe check.

    SourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)

    Sources

    6 sources · Last reviewed November 8, 2026

    • Evidence for this pair: published studies
    How we check

    DailyMed, US National Library of Medicinedailymed.nlm.nih.gov

    • FDA label (DailyMed): Differin Gel 0.1% (adapalene, OTC)

      Moisturizers may be used; irritation usually lessens with use. Adapalene 0.1% (retinoid) for acne, ages 12 and up; once a day, never more; thin layer over the whole affected area, not a spot treatment; up to 3 months for results, ask a doctor if no improvement after 3 months; irritation most likely in the first weeks and usually improves after about 4 weeks; you may want to delay starting it until irritation from other products has gone away; acne may look worse before it improves; stop and ask a doctor if you become pregnant or plan to. | Irritation is more likely when using more than one topical acne medication; you may want to delay starting adapalene until irritation from other products has gone away.

    DermNetdermnetnz.org

    • Nicotinamide

      Nicotinamide does not cause flushing, unlike its precursor nicotinic acid. | A 4% nicotinamide gel was as effective as 1% clindamycin gel for acne; nicotinamide moisturizers improved skin barrier function in rosacea. | Topical nicotinamide is well tolerated and often can be used by people who cannot tolerate topical retinoids or fruit acids. 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled split-face study in 50 women, sponsored by a consumer-products company: 5% nicotinamide improved fine lines, pigmentation, texture and red blotchiness. | 2% nicotinamide moisturizer for 4 to 6 weeks reduced sebum; moisturizers containing nicotinamide improved barrier function in rosacea; a 4% nicotinamide cosmetic improved eyelid wrinkles after eight weeks in 30 Japanese women. | Well tolerated, often usable by those who cannot tolerate topical retinoids or fruit acids; 4% gel as effective as 1% clindamycin gel in 76 patients with moderate acne; 2% moisturizer for 4 to 6 weeks reduced sebum.

    American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org

    • Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)

      Over-the-counter skin care containing a retinoid like adapalene should not be used during pregnancy. | Retinol should not be used during pregnancy; a dermatologist recommends a vitamin C product in the morning. | Azelaic acid is thought to be safe to use during pregnancy. | A dermatologist recommends a vitamin C product in the morning and one containing glycolic acid in the evening; salicylic acid above 2% used sparingly. | Most experts recommend stopping adapalene and tretinoin during pregnancy. | Lists ingredients to avoid and to use sparingly in pregnancy; does not mention niacinamide or hyaluronic acid. | A dermatologist recommends applying a product containing vitamin C in the morning. | Use salicylic acid at high doses (greater than 2%) sparingly and discuss it with your dermatologist.

    Cleveland Clinicclevelandclinic.org

    • Top 6 benefits of niacinamide (Feb. 2026)

      Most products contain 5% or less; start with a low concentration if you have sensitive skin; can be used once or twice daily. | A niacinamide serum can be mixed with your moisturizer; niacinamide has been shown to ease inflammation, which can help calm redness; start with a low concentration if you have sensitive skin; most products contain 5% or less; rare allergic reaction, itching, mild burning or redness; patch test on the forearm for 24 hours. | Niacinamide can be used once or twice daily after cleansing; a niacinamide serum can be mixed with your moisturizer; generally gentle.

    Studies and other sources

    • Sitohang et al., J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2020jcadonline.com

      Niacinamide cream with nightly adapalene: well tolerated over 6 weeks.

    • Marques et al., Antioxidants, 2024mdpi.com

      2% to 5% niacinamide can reduce sebum; more effective in oily than non-oily skin at 2% to 4% in acne studies; anti-aging formulas mainly 4% to 5%; no stinging up to 10%, no irritation up to 5%; flushing is an effect of high oral doses of niacin, and niacinamide has no cutaneous vasodilating properties.