Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-blemish
- Moisturizing
- Anti-aging
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: low
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
"The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (6.10% - 9.10%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (zinc pca 2.70% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 38 reviews 74% recommend this product- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the majority of the reviewers (1 %) find that it pills under makeup.
- When it comes to comedogenicity, 1 % of the reviewers found that it clogs pores.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The Ordinary" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 5.00£ up to 10.05£ in the United Kingdom, for 2199.99KSH in Kenya, from 9.50A$ up to 19.80A$ in Australia, from 5.90$ up to 11.70$ in the United States, for 7.10CA$ in Canada and for 88.00HK$ in Hong Kong.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
The high 1% concentration of zinc salt repairs damaged skin and encourages the creation of collagen, a natural protein that keeps skin looking supple, plump and youthful-looking.
Source: Escentual
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Proven to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion without irritation, niacinamide leaves your skin clear and calm, the addition of zinc, regulating sebum production to maintain a healthy, glowing complexion.
Source: Face the Future
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Keeping your complexion clear and balanced, this The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, harnesses the power of a potent blend of niacinamide (vitamin B3) and zinc to boost skin brightness, improve skin softness, and reinforce your skin barrier, revealing a radiant complexion.
Source: Face the Future
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Keeping your complexion clear and balanced, this The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, harnesses the power of a potent blend of niacinamide (vitamin B3) and zinc to boost skin brightness, improve skin softness, and reinforce your skin barrier, revealing a radiant complexion.
Source: Face the Future
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": zinc pca.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (38)
Averages from community submissions.
How well does it work for anti-aging?
How well does it work against blemishes?
How well does it work for evening out skin tone?
How well does it work for moisturization?
How would you describe the texture?
How much does it pill under makeup?
How much does this product clog pores?
How would you describe the smell?
Tried this product?
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | Current | $5.00 | |
 ArtNaturals LUXE Niacinamide Serum | 98% | - | |
Bayage THE SERUM SKIN PERFECTING NIACINAMIDE, ZINK PCA & MACA | 98% | $72.00 | |
 Boost Lab Vitamin B3 Blemish Rescue Serum | 96% | $15.26 | |
 The Purest Solutions Niacinamide %5 + Zinc Pca %1 Intensive Pore Tightening & Lightening Serum TPS100 | 96% | $11.99 | |
Horace Sérum Acide Salicylique 2 % + Niacinamide 3 % | 96% | $19.00 |
Key Actives
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Potential irritants
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
A compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Ingredient list view
Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene glycol, Zinc pca, Dimethyl isosorbide, Tamarindus indica seed gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Zinc L-pyrrolidone carboxylate inhibits the UVA-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 by in vitro cultured skin fibroblasts, whereas it enhances their collagen synthesis
- Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review