Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide are two key ingredients that women who want to get rid of dark spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation just love. Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide, vitamin C, kojic acid, azelaic acid are some formulas that are safer alternatives to the highly-popular hydroquinone which though is effective against hyperpigmentation, it has major side effects and can make your pigmentation worse when used for a long period of time. When we talk about good skincare available at affordable price, the brand that comes to our mind is of course “The Ordinary.” If you are looking at just one serum, ointment or cream to clear dark spots, scars, melasma, hyperpigmentation, etc., let me tell you at the outset, it’s not going to work. To see effective results, you would have to layer potent skincare products. On the other hand, there are some skincare ingredients you should never use together. In this post, we will be talking about two potent dark spot and hyperpigmentation clearing ingredients that can work together, and produce good results. In this post, we will discuss how you can layer The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% together. Read on:

Product Description of The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA:

Alpha Arbutin reduces the looks of spots and hyper-pigmentation. It’s used at a high 2% concentration versus a standard concentration of 1% and supported with a next-generation form of Hyaluronic Acid for enhanced delivery. Alpha Arbutin is much stronger in effect than Arbutin or Beta Arbutin.

Ingredients of The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA:

Aqua (Water), Alpha-Arbutin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, PPG-26-Buteth-26; PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lactic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Product Description of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%:

Improve the look of acne, enlarged pores, oily skin, and more with this vitamin and mineral serum. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a water-based serum with niacinamide (vitamin B3) and zinc. This treatment reduces the appearance of blemishes, redness, enlarged pores, uneven tone, and oily skin. It promotes clearer, brighter, and smoother skin while balancing sebum production. Size: 30 ml

Key Ingredients of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%:
Niacinamide: a vitamin that brightens and reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion
Zinc PCA: a mineral that helps control oil production

Benefits of using Alpha Arbutin/Niacinamide/Zinc on Skin:

1. Niacinamide is a powerful antioxidant, it’s vitamin B3, and when topically applied, it increases hydration, reduces hyperpigmentation and improves skin’s elasticity. It is also very effective in inhibiting sebum production and reducing pore size.
2. Zinc is a mineral which has some scientific research behind it as anti-inflammatory, reduction in production of hormones which result in sebum production.
3. Alpha Arbutin inhibits the activity of tyrosinase enzyme which is necessary for melanin (drk pigment) production. Melanin is produced by the skin in response to exposure to harsh sun rays and leads to darkening and pigmentation of the skin. Excess melanin on the surface of the skin leads to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Regular use of alpha arbutin will even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

How to Use The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide Together:

Both Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide are water-based serums that can be applied as a first step of the routine after thoroughly cleansing and drying the skin. Now, if your primary concern is hyperpigmentation, melasma or dark spots, apply alpha arbutin serum first, pat it into the skin, and wait for a few minutes for it to get absorbed into the skin.Now, you can layer on niacinamide and allow it to dry. If your skin concern is oily skin, with clogged pores or excessive sebum production as primary concerns, you can start with niacinamide first and then alpha arbutin.  You can use both niacinamide and alpha arbutin in this order in both AM and PM routine. Some people believe that vitamin C and niacinamide should not be used in the same skincare routine because both can get ineffective together. However, there are no concrete studies to prove such a theory. At a maximum, one can use three serum together at one time. It’s better to use alpha arbutin, niacinamide, and finally apply the vitamin C serum in the morning routine. However, if you are skeptical, skip the vitamin C serum, and apply alpha arburtin and niacinamide only and keep vitamin C in the morning routine.

With regular use, these products help to reduce hyperpigmentation and blemishes; however, not to give anyone false hopes, it does not work like magic. You may see changes from the second month of regular use only. Hydroquinone is probably the only ingredient that delivers quick results with regards to hyperpigmentation, the rest of them take their own sweet time.

Another point that I would like to put across about The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, I did notice tiny skin purging (not breakouts or pimples), just tiny bumps that cleared away after two days with this serum. However, when I used both alpha arbutin and niacinamide together, everything was fine. I guess with potent skincare ingredients, the skin needs to get used to the ingredient and that’s why it’s important not to trash the product after a few uses. Both these serums help to reduce dark spots and clear up skin, alleviate sebum production, and make skin soft and supple.

Tips While Using The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide:

1. Just two to three drops of these serums are enough to cover the entire face.
2. Do not leave out the neck area, we often apply skincare products only on the face, not on the neck.
3. Instead of vigorously massaging, pat the serum into the skin till they get absorbed.

4. Do not use more than three serums at a single time.

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