Walk into any pharmacy or open any beauty website and you will find both of these ingredients everywhere. They are in serums, moisturisers, toners, essences. Sometimes in the same product. The marketing around both is loud and, frankly, often misleading.
So here is a straightforward breakdown — what each ingredient actually does, who it is for, and whether you need one, the other, or both.
Hyaluronic Acid — the hydrator
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant. Its job is to draw moisture into the skin and hold it there. It does not repair, it does not treat — it hydrates. That is it, and that is enough.
It works best applied to damp skin, and it needs to be sealed in with a moisturiser. On its own in a dry environment it can actually pull moisture out of the skin rather than into it — a detail most brands conveniently leave out of their marketing.
Who needs it: anyone with dry, dehydrated, or tight-feeling skin. Also excellent as a base layer before heavier treatments.
Top pick available on Notino: Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster — a concentrated, fragrance-free formula that layers well under anything.
Also worth considering: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum — combines hyaluronic acid with Vitamin B5 for additional barrier support. Widely recommended by dermatologists.
Niacinamide — the multitasker
Niacinamide is Vitamin B3. Unlike hyaluronic acid, it does not have one job — it has several. It visibly reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, improves uneven skin tone, strengthens the skin barrier, and regulates sebum production. At higher concentrations (10%+) it can also reduce the appearance of dark spots over time.
It is one of the most well-researched skincare ingredients available, and it is remarkably well-tolerated — suitable for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with rosacea.
Who needs it: anyone dealing with oiliness, visible pores, uneven texture, or post-blemish marks. Also a strong supporting ingredient for anyone using retinol.
Top pick available on Douglas: The Inkey List Niacinamide Serum — 10% concentration, minimal formula, excellent price-to-performance ratio.
Luxury option: Medik8 Clarity Peptides — niacinamide combined with peptides for a more comprehensive approach to skin clarity. A more refined formula for those who want to
Can you use both?
Yes. They complement each other well and there is no known interaction between them that causes irritation. A typical approach: hyaluronic acid serum first on damp skin, niacinamide serum second, moisturiser to seal. Simple, effective, evidence-based.
The only caveat is layering too many actives at once. If you are new to either ingredient, introduce one at a time and give your skin two to three weeks to adjust before adding the next.
The verdict
If your main concern is dehydration and dryness — start with hyaluronic acid.
If your main concern is oiliness, pores, or uneven tone — start with niacinamide.
If both sound familiar — use both, in that order.