The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is a budget-friendly serum built around niacinamide and zinc PCA, ingredients often used to help balance the look of oily, congestion-prone skin. It's a solid, low-risk starting point for beginners, though results vary and it isn't a universal fix for every skin concern.
What Is The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
The Ordinary built its reputation on stripping skincare down to a short ingredient list at an accessible price, and this serum is one of its most talked-about releases. The formula pairs a high concentration of niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) with zinc PCA, a zinc salt often included in formulas aimed at oily or shine-prone skin.
It has a lightweight, slightly gel-like texture that sits somewhere between a water and a light lotion. It's fragrance-free, which tends to make it more tolerable for people who react to scented products, though "fragrance-free" doesn't automatically mean irritation-free for every skin type.
Why It Became So Popular
Part of the appeal is simple: a 10% niacinamide concentration at a low price point is unusual in the wider serum market, where similar formulas often cost several times more. Word of mouth, especially from skincare communities comparing ingredient percentages, helped this specific serum become a go-to recommendation for people starting to explore active ingredient routines on a budget.
Key Ingredients Explained
Understanding what's actually in the bottle helps set realistic expectations, rather than relying on marketing claims alone.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a well-studied skincare ingredient frequently included in formulas marketed toward oily or combination skin. It's commonly discussed alongside routines aimed at supporting the look of skin texture and an even-toned appearance over time. It's generally considered one of the gentler active ingredients, which is part of why it shows up in so many beginner-friendly products, including many featured in our guide to niacinamide serums.
Zinc PCA
Zinc PCA is included here in a supporting role, often associated with formulas targeting the appearance of oiliness and visible pores. It's a different ingredient from the zinc oxide used in mineral sunscreens, so this serum should not be treated as sun protection.
Who This Serum Is Best For
Not every skin type will get the same experience from this formula, and that's worth being upfront about.
Oily and Combination Skin
This serum tends to get the most consistent praise from people with oily or combination skin who are looking for a lightweight product that layers easily under moisturizer or sunscreen without feeling heavy. If shine and enlarged-looking pores are your main concerns, this is a reasonable, low-cost option to test.
Acne-Prone and Congestion-Prone Skin
Because the formula is oil-free and non-comedogenic on paper, it's often recommended as a gentle addition to routines focused on breakout-prone skin. That said, it's not positioned as a treatment for active acne, and anyone dealing with persistent breakouts should treat this as a supporting product rather than a primary solution, alongside advice from a dermatologist if needed.
It's commonly discussed alongside routines aimed at supporting the look of skin texture and an even-toned appearance over time.
Who Might Want to Skip It
People with very dry or sensitive skin sometimes find niacinamide serums, including this one, feel slightly tacky or don't add enough hydration on their own. In that case, pairing it with a richer moisturizer — or choosing a different product entirely — may be a better fit. If you've previously had reactions to niacinamide at higher percentages, patch testing before full-face use is a sensible precaution.
How to Use It in a Routine
The serum is straightforward to incorporate, but a few small habits make a noticeable difference in how comfortably it fits into a routine.
Morning Routine
Apply a few drops to clean, dry skin after any water-based toner and before moisturizer. Because niacinamide doesn't increase sun sensitivity the way some other actives do, it's generally considered fine for daytime use, but sunscreen should still follow as the final step, as with any daytime routine.
Evening Routine
In the evening, it can go after cleansing and before heavier creams or oils. Some people prefer using it only at night if they find their skin feels slightly less shiny without it competing with makeup or SPF during the day — this is a personal preference rather than a strict rule.
Layering With Other Actives
Niacinamide is generally considered easy to combine with most other ingredients, but a few pairings deserve a bit more care:
- With vitamin C: older formulations sometimes caused pilling or a temporary flushed look when combined; most modern versions layer fine, but testing separately first is a reasonable approach. See our vitamin C versus niacinamide comparison for more on this.
- With exfoliating acids: introducing one active at a time helps you identify what's actually causing any irritation.
- With retinoids: many people alternate nights or apply niacinamide first to potentially ease dryness, though everyone's tolerance differs.
Comparing to Other Niacinamide Serums
The Ordinary's version isn't the only niacinamide serum on the market, and it's worth knowing how it generally stacks up against common alternatives.
Lower-Percentage Formulas
Some brands offer niacinamide at 4-5% alongside soothing ingredients like panthenol or ceramides. These can be gentler for sensitive skin that finds 10% too much, at the cost of a lower concentration of the active ingredient itself.
Higher-End Formulations
Pricier serums sometimes combine niacinamide with additional actives like peptides or barrier-supporting lipids, which may suit people wanting a more complete formula in one step rather than layering multiple products. Whether that added complexity is worth the price difference depends on your skin's needs and budget, something we cover in more depth in our breakdown of serum layering versus all-in-one formulas.
Pros and Cons
A quick, honest summary based on how this serum is generally used and discussed:
Pros
- Affordable relative to its niacinamide concentration
- Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture
- Fragrance-free formula
- Easy to slot into most existing routines
Cons
- Can feel slightly tacky for some users, especially in humid climates
- Not a moisturizer on its own — dry skin will likely need something richer layered on top
- Higher percentages aren't automatically better for every skin type
- Packaging (a dropper bottle) can be less hygienic long-term than pump dispensers
Tips for Best Results
- Patch test on your inner arm or jawline for a few days before applying to your full face.
- Start with every-other-day use if you have sensitive skin, then increase frequency gradually.
- Store it away from direct sunlight and heat, as with most active-ingredient serums.
- Pair with a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, since no serum replaces sun protection.
- Give it several weeks of consistent use before deciding whether it's working for your skin, since active ingredients typically take time to show any visible difference.
FAQs
Does The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% actually reduce oiliness?
Many users report their skin feels less shiny with regular use, and niacinamide is commonly included in formulas aimed at oil-prone skin. However, individual results vary, and this serum should be viewed as one part of a broader routine rather than a guaranteed fix for oily skin.
Can I use this serum every day?
Most people use it once or twice daily, but starting with every-other-day application is a sensible way to gauge how your skin responds, especially if you have sensitive or reactive skin. If you notice any redness, tightness, or discomfort, reduce frequency or discontinue use.
Is 10% niacinamide too strong for beginners?
It can be more concentrated than some beginners expect. If you're new to active ingredients, patch testing first and easing in gradually is a reasonable approach. Those with very sensitive skin may prefer starting with a lower-percentage formula before working up to 10%.
Can I use this with vitamin C or retinol?
Generally yes, but pairing multiple actives at once increases the chance of irritation for some skin types. Many people alternate niacinamide with vitamin C or retinol on different days, or apply them at different times of day, to see how their skin tolerates each ingredient individually.
Why does this serum pill under makeup or moisturizer?
Pilling usually happens when too much product is layered on top of skin that hasn't fully absorbed the previous step. Try using a smaller amount, waiting a minute or two between layers, and applying subsequent products in light, patting motions rather than rubbing.
How long should I use it before deciding if it works for me?
Active ingredients like niacinamide typically take several weeks of consistent use before any visible difference becomes noticeable, if at all. A reasonable approach is to commit to daily or near-daily use for six to eight weeks before evaluating whether it fits into your longer-term routine.
