Representative photography — not the exact unit shipped.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml
In stock
Niacinamide serum. Key actives: Niacinamide 10 percent, zinc PCA 1 percent. Fragrance: Fragrance free.
Direct answer: is the The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml right for you?
10 percent is the number to think about, because it is not a better version of 5 percent.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml
Editorial verdict
Grounded in published specifications
Summary verdict: 10 percent is the number to think about, because it is not a better version of 5 percent. Most of the published benefit of niacinamide occurs around 4 to 5 percent, and what the higher concentration reliably adds is irritation for a significant minority. If your skin is reactive, a 5 percent serum is the more sensible starting point. Worth retiring the old advice that niacinamide cancels vitamin C -- that came from a 1960s study at high heat.
Who should buy this
People with resilient, oily or congestion-prone skin who tolerate high active concentrations.
Who should avoid this
Anyone with reactive or sensitised skin -- start at 5 percent instead.
Key strengths
- 10 percent niacinamide with 1 percent zinc PCA at an unusually low price
- Fragrance free, which removes the commonest irritant
- Water-light texture that layers under anything
Limitations
- 10 percent irritates a significant minority; 5 percent is as effective for most
- Slightly tacky finish under makeup
- Zinc PCA can be drying on already-dry skin
Technical specifications
- Type
- Niacinamide serum
- Brand
- The Ordinary
- Volume
- 30 ml
- Texture
- Water-light, slightly tacky as it dries
- Warranty
- 1 Year Official Brand Warranty
- Zinc PCA
- 1 percent, included for oil regulation rather than for the niacinamide effect
- Fragrance
- Fragrance free
- Model SKU
- 769915190311
- Patch test
- Recommended, given the concentration
- Who reacts
- A significant minority get flushing or stinging at 10 percent. Starting at 5 percent and building up avoids it
- Key actives
- Niacinamide 10 percent, zinc PCA 1 percent
- Mains voltage
- Not applicable
- Concentration note
- 10 percent is high. Most published benefit occurs at 4 to 5 percent, and above that the main change is more irritation, not more effect
- The vitamin C myth
- Niacinamide and vitamin C were long said to cancel out. That came from a 1960s study at high heat and does not apply to modern formulations at skin temperature
- Period after opening
- 12 months after opening
Product overview
10 percent is the number to think about, because it is not a better version of 5 percent. Most of the published benefit of niacinamide occurs around 4 to 5 percent, and what the higher concentration reliably adds is irritation for a significant minority. If your skin is reactive, a 5 percent serum is the more sensible starting point. Worth retiring the old advice that niacinamide cancels vitamin C -- that came from a 1960s study at high heat.
Key capabilities
- Key actives: Niacinamide 10 percent, zinc PCA 1 percent
- Fragrance: Fragrance free
- Concentration note: 10 percent is high
- Who reacts: A significant minority get flushing or stinging at 10 percent
Frequently asked questions
Is the The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml worth buying?
10 percent is the number to think about, because it is not a better version of 5 percent.
What is the warranty and return policy for the The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml?
1 Year Official Brand Warranty. Returns: 7 Days Replacement Guarantee.
Who is the The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml best suited for?
People with resilient, oily or congestion-prone skin who tolerate high active concentrations.
Who should avoid the The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml?
Anyone with reactive or sensitised skin -- start at 5 percent instead.
Sample reviews
5 reviewsThese are illustrative, not customer reviews.
DealSurge has not sold this product, so nobody has reviewed it. Each entry below is written from the strengths and drawbacks recorded on this page, to show how reviews would appear — none of it is a real buyer’s experience, and none of it is counted in search results or given to the shopping assistant.
Mean of 5 samples
- 5 ★2
- 4 ★2
- 3 ★1
- 2 ★0
- 1 ★0
- 4 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml
Good, with one thing to plan for
10 percent niacinamide with 1 percent zinc PCA at an unusually low price. The one thing to know before ordering: 10 percent irritates a significant minority; 5 percent is as effective for most. To be fair that is written on the product page. I skimmed past it and had to rearrange things afterwards.
Ayesha D.Sample1 found this helpful - 5 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml
Read the fit note, and it was me
The page describes who this is for, and it described me: People with resilient, oily or congestion-prone skin who tolerate high active concentrations. On that basis it has been the right call. 10 percent niacinamide with 1 percent zinc PCA at an unusually low price.
Divya V.Sample4 found this helpful - 3 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml
Three stars, and here is exactly why
Leading with the problem, because it is what I would have wanted to read: 10 percent irritates a significant minority; 5 percent is as effective for most. Slightly tacky finish under makeup. Neither is hidden — both are listed on the page — but they matter more in daily use than they look on a spec sheet. I have kept it, for one reason: 10 percent niacinamide with 1 percent zinc PCA at an unusually low price. That still outweighs the rest, but only just.
Shalini T.Sample21 found this helpful - 5 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml
No notes
10 percent niacinamide with 1 percent zinc PCA at an unusually low price. That was the whole reason I picked this over the cheaper options, and it is exactly as described. Also worth mentioning: Fragrance free, which removes the commonest irritant. No regrets after a couple of weeks.
Sudha T.Sample8 found this helpful - 4 out of 5 stars, in a sample review of The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum 30ml
Holding up so far
Had this two months now, so this is not an unboxing opinion. Fragrance free, which removes the commonest irritant. Still mildly irritated by one thing: 10 percent irritates a significant minority; 5 percent is as effective for most. Known trade-off rather than a fault, though, and I would buy it again.
Shreya V.Sample13 found this helpful