The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion for Dark Spots & Uneven Tone
Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamideWorks well
“A lightweight serum to visibly reduce dark spots and even the look of skin tone across the face and body.”
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-blemishSide benefit · NiacinamideWorks well
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Glycerin + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, TocopherolWorks well
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?
Irritancy8 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Ethyl macadamiate~5.8–8.8%
Niacinamide~4–5.9%
- 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 NiacinamidePropanediol~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSphingomonas ferment extract~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentylene glycol~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolEthylhexyl olivate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl olivatePolyglyceryl-4 oleate~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 oleateSodium acrylates copolymer~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylates copolymerIsoceteth-20~0.4–0.95%
Sodium citrate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCitric acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidMalic acid~0.1–0.35%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateTocopherol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Ethyl macadamiate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sphingomonas ferment extract, Pentylene glycol, Ethylhexyl olivate, Polyglyceryl-4 oleate, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Isoceteth-20, Sodium citrate, Citric acid, Malic acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Tocopherol
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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 5% Face and Body Emulsion for Dark Spots & Uneven ToneYOUR PRODUCT | VichyMinéral 89 Probiotic Fractions Recovery Serum for Stressed Skin with 4% Niacinamide | FacileBrighten | CollistarAnti-Dark Spot Concentrate Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 90% | 89% |
| Price | $14.00 | $19.02+$5.02 | $38.00+$24.00 | $42.42+$28.42 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Biosaccharide Gum-1 | Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate | Lactobionic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: UNPA Halo Celtening AmpouleHorace Sérum Acide Salicylique 2 % + Niacinamide 3 %
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
- 4
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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