The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamideWorks well
“The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum is a water-based formulation designed to enhance skin brightness, improve texture, and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier .”
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.
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Zinc pcaWorks well
“- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and signs of congestion, visibly brightens skin tone.”
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
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Zinc pca + 2 moreWorks well
“The Ordinary's Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum is a water-based formulation designed to enhance skin brightness, improve texture, and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier .”
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
Anti-agingNiacinamide, Zinc pcaWorks well
“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.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
29 of 39 community members would buy it again.
Didn't work for me, made my acne so much worse unfortunately...
Helped with acne, discoloration and post-blemish marks, and oil production.
Worth every penny
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Niacinamide~6.1–9.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about NiacinamidePentylene glycol~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolZinc pca~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Zinc pcaDimethyl isosorbide~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideTamarindus indica seed gum~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish on the skin
More about Tamarindus indica seed gumXanthan gum~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIsoceteth-20~0.35–0.85%
Ethoxydiglycol~0.1–0.5%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene glycol, Zinc pca, Dimethyl isosorbide, Tamarindus indica seed gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| The OrdinaryNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%YOUR PRODUCT | Be MinimalistNiacinamide 10% Face Serum for Acne, Blemishes & Oil Control | Boost LabVitamin B3 Blemish Rescue Serum | ArtNaturals LUXENiacinamide Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 98% | 98% | 98% |
| Price | $6.00 | $11.99+$5.99 | $16.46+$10.46 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Glucosamine | Glycerin | Sunflower Seed Oil |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bayage THE SERUM SKIN PERFECTING NIACINAMIDE, ZINK PCA & MACABalea Niacinamide Serum
Product summary
"The Ordinary - Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (6.10% - 9.10%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Humectants (zinc pca 2.70% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 38 reviews 74% recommend this product- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the majority of the reviewers (1 %) find that it pills under makeup.
- When it comes to comedogenicity, 1 % of the reviewers found that it clogs pores.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The Ordinary" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 5.00£ up to 10.05£ in the United Kingdom, for 2199.99KSH in Kenya, from 9.50A$ 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review hindawi.com
- 5
- 6
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