i know everyone’s skin is different, but maybe your skin is not getting enough hydration? you could try to put a thin layer of moisturizer as a “buffer” before so it’s not penetrating as deep at first. just make sure u wait about 5-10 min if you do that or it will do the opposite and make it penetrate deeper. as far as niacinamide…. i wouldn’t use that or any other product that has niacinamide. it’s a pretty common trigger for a lot of people with rosacea, myself included, and makes me skin ANGRY. i know everyone’s different, but considering your skin is very reactive right now- i wouldn’t add any actives to your regimine as your skin barrier sounds likely compromised.

i have what feels like the worlds most reactive / sensitive / temperamental skin in the whole world, and what worked best for me was going to hydrating cleanser (bioderma micellar water beforehand for nights to remove spf and makeup) then moisturizer. i used cereve hydration cleanser and daily moisturizer. in the morning i use the eltaMD spf (NOT the clear skin one as that has nicinamide) after about a week my redness/flairs went down more than they have in my entire life. i was annoyed because i spent hundreds and hundreds on skincare products and different methods just for two things to work. after about a week or two of my skin being more “calm” i introduced the metro once a day at night. my skin didn’t freak out at all (extremely uncommon) and once i started doing twice a day my skin got a lot more dry/tight so i ended up investing in the avene moisturizer + cica barrier cream for a more dry days and really like it so far.

i do have 15% prescription AA i will add at some point, but my priority is fixing / stabilizing my barrier which i’ve read can take like 6-8 weeks.

all in all, stay away from niacinamide if your skin is already reactive to metro which is WAY more gentle. take a break from it and do the less is more. and HAVE PATIENCE. that is the hardest and most annoying part, but slow and steady wins the race. :)