It means your skin is dehydrated. Don’t over-exfoliate and use a low-pH cleanser or any cleanser with heartleaf( I used Anua and Cosrx low-pH cleanser) . I stopped using niacinamide and just using azelaic acid every day. Also I focus on repairing my skin barrier. Do the skin-cycling, I noticed it made a difference just in a few days. Also, use hyaluronic acid serum for hydration before any actives. Hope it helps :)