Combining Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B3 in a Cream

You're asking if Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), and Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) can be combined in the same cream formulation.

Here's a breakdown of the compatibility:

• Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate): These two vitamins are highly compatible and often used together in skincare formulations. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help stabilize Vitamin C and enhance its effectiveness. Products like Vitamin C E Ferulic demonstrate this beneficial combination.

• Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Combining L-Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide in the same formula is generally not recommended, especially at high concentrations or specific pH levels. L-Ascorbic Acid is most stable and effective at a low pH (around 2.0-4.0), while Niacinamide performs best at a higher pH (around 4.0-7.0). When combined at L-Ascorbic Acid's low pH, Niacinamide can hydrolyze into Niacin (Nicotinic Acid), which can cause skin flushing, redness, and irritation. While some formulations attempt to mitigate this, it remains a significant challenge.

• Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate) and Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): These two ingredients are generally compatible and can be formulated together without significant issues.

Conclusion:

While Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) and Vitamin E work well together, the incompatibility between L-Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide due to their differing optimal pH ranges makes it challenging to formulate all three effectively and safely in a single cream using L-Ascorbic Acid. It is generally advisable to avoid combining L-Ascorbic Acid and Niacinamide in the same product to prevent potential irritation and ensure the stability and efficacy of both ingredients.

If you wish to use Niacinamide alongside a Vitamin C product, it is often recommended to use them at different times of the day or in separate formulations with appropriate pH levels for each ingredient.