Few serums have been recommended as widely as The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. It helped put affordable, ingredient-led skincare on the map — but a serum this cheap and this popular deserves a closer, less hyped-up look.
What It Is
A water-based serum combining a high 10% concentration of niacinamide (vitamin B3) with 1% zinc PCA, aimed at oil control, visible pore size, and overall skin texture. It comes in The Ordinary’s signature no-frills dropper bottle.
What It Does Well
- Genuinely regulates oil — the zinc PCA addition helps mattify shine more than niacinamide alone
- Budget-friendly — makes a clinically-backed active accessible at a fraction of the cost of prestige alternatives
- Layers easily — a thin, fast-absorbing texture that sits well under moisturizer and sunscreen
- Noticeable on pore appearance — many users see visibly smaller-looking pores within a few weeks
Where It Falls Short
- The 10% concentration can pill — this is one of the more commonly reported issues, especially when layered under other water-based serums
- Can cause temporary flushing — a small percentage of users experience redness or a warm, tingling sensation, particularly on first use
- Not as calming as gentler niacinamide formulas — very reactive skin may do better starting with a lower concentration (around 4-5%) before working up to 10%
Who It Suits
Best suited to oily, combination, or acne-prone skin looking for oil control and refined-looking pores on a budget. Very sensitive or dry skin types may want to patch test first, or start with a lower-strength niacinamide formula instead.
The Bottom Line
It earns its reputation as an entry point into active skincare — the concentration is genuinely effective and the price makes it easy to try. It is not the gentlest or most elegant niacinamide serum on the market, but for the price, it remains one of the most reasonable places to start.