This is a long overdue post for The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%! Niacinamide is one of those wonder skincare ingredients that can be used for both acne and hydration. Because it can be used with so many other skincare ingredients, you don’t have to worry about it pilling (the worst!) or adversely affecting the efficacy of your other products.

Table of Contents

What is Niacinamide?

For a very in-depth post about the ingredient niacinamide, please refer to this post, where I break down what it is, its benefits, who should use it, and a lot of options of niacinamide products from different brands.

The post you are reading now specifically reviews the niacinamide serum from The Ordinary.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Product Profile

Key Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Benefits: Reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion. Balance oily skin.

Please note: The Ordinary’s website recommends the use of Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for occasional breakout and balancing of oily skin. For people with oily type skin and/or acne concerns, you can also refer to this post for more products in The Ordinary’s range.

Sizes: 30ml and 60ml

Price: $5.90 for 30ml; $10.60 for 60ml

How do you use Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Directions: Apply to entire face morning and evening before heavier creams. If irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin.

Personally, I use this serum after cleansing/toning and before applying your moisturizer. I rotate out my skincare products depending on several factors: my skin’s condition (dry, sensitive, acne) and seasonality so I don’t necessarily use niacinamide every day. I tend to reach for this product 3-4 times a week to keep my skin clear and especially if I have some pimples I am trying to clear up.

Optional: Refer to this guide for patch testing. It’s important to patch test any new product or ingredient on a patch of your skin first, if you have sensitive or reactive skin, to make sure it’s compatible.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Review

the ordinary niacinamide 30ml shopping link

As of the time of this review (June 2020), Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% has 920 reviews on The Ordinary’s website and averages 8.2/10 stars.

Favorable reviews highlight its efficacy at minimizing the appearance of pores and blackheads and overall complexion of the skin. For me, it’s been especially effective at reducing the look of shine during the midday, after I apply it in the morning before my moisturizer.

Product Aesthetics

This lightweight serum is odorless and colorless, and very easy to use even with other skincare products. It’s pretty much a staple in my summer skincare routine (as of July 2020).

My daytime routine usually looks something like this:

Cleanser: A mild cleanser that I’ve been using is the KUL Exfoliating Cleanser. It has full spectrum CBD as well as exfoliating apricot seeds.

Toner: Beautycounter Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence

Treatment: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – I add this to my daytime skincare routine because I tend to produce more oil and sweat now that it’s hot. Niacinamide helps me control oil and shine and works really well with the rest of my skincare and never pills but hydrates well.

Sunscreen: EltaMD SPF 46 – one of my go-to sunscreens. It’s lightweight and absorbs fast, and leaves behind no white cast or residue.

Product Efficacy

Like the rest of The Ordinary’s skincare line, this product is very straightforward. It does its job and does it well.

Value

You really can’t get any better than The Ordinary when it comes to value for your money. If you know you use niacinamide serum on a regular basis, I highly recommend picking up the 60ml size. The 30ml bottle usually only lasts me between 4-6 weeks if using once a week during the day.

Where to buy The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Best place to purchase The Ordinary products is on their website directly, where they offer both sizes of niacinamide.

Sephora and Amazon also both carry The Ordinary products, but sometimes with more limited selection.

Other The Ordinary products you may be interested in

If you are interested in checking out The Ordinary products for oily skin that’s prone to acne, you can refer to this post, where I detail out a lot of other products in their range I recommend for breakouts.

For dark spots (including acne scars), this is a good post to check out.