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No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum vs Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%: which is better?

One leans toward dark-spot support with a gentler reputation, while the other is favored for oil control and pore care but draws more irritation complaints.

The quick answer

Depends what you need

  • Rated higher: No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum — 84 vs 62 nextscore
  • More reviewed: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — 242 vs 62 verdicts

numbuzin No.5 fits dark-spot care and a lighter-feeling routine, while The Ordinary suits oil control and pore-focused concerns better.

Choose No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum if

  • you want help with post-acne marks
  • you prefer fragrance-free, low-odor formulas

Choose Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if

  • you want oil control and pore care
  • your skin handles stronger niacinamide well

At a glance

No.5 Vitamin Concentrated SerumNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
$0.57/ml$0.20/ml
84 · 62 verdicts62 · 242 verdicts
Niacinamide both, Vitamin C, Tranexamic AcidNiacinamide both, Zinc

What Reddit says

No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

What Reddit likes

  • Tranexamic acid + niacinamide for PIH
  • Layers nicely under AM routines
  • Fragrance-free and generally low-odor

Watch out for

  • Can break out acne-prone skin fast
  • Some find it heavy or greasy
  • May sting or irritate reactive faces
See the Reddit threads on No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

What Reddit likes

  • Oil control and pore shrinkage
  • Fades acne marks for some
  • Cheap, simple two-ingredient formula

Watch out for

  • 10% is where the irritation starts for a lot of people
  • Breakouts and cystic flare-ups get reported a lot
  • Pilling, stickiness, and that weird dry-tight feel
See the Reddit threads on Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Compare full ingredient lists · 4 in common

In both · 4

  1. Water
  2. Niacinamide
  3. Pentylene Glycol
  4. Xanthan Gum

Only in No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum · 43

  1. Butylene Glycol
  2. Panthenol
  3. Tranexamic Acid
  4. 1,2-Hexanediol
  5. Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
  6. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
  7. Sorbitol
  8. Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
  9. Behenyl Alcohol
  10. Glycerin
  11. Chondrus Crispus Extract
  12. Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
  13. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
  14. Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
  15. Carbomer
  16. Alpha-Arbutin
  17. Bisabolol
  18. Tromethamine
  19. Ethylhexylglycerin
  20. Bifida Ferment Lysate
  21. Adenosine
  22. Hydrogenated Lecithin
  23. Allantoin
  24. Sodium Hyaluronate
  25. Glutathione
  26. Disodium EDTA
  27. Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
  28. Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
  29. Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
  30. Ceramide NP
  31. Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
  32. Corallina Officinalis Extract
  33. Beta-Glucan
  34. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
  35. Tocopherol
  36. Ascorbic Acid
  37. Ascorbyl Glucoside
  38. Tocopheryl Acetate
  39. Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
  40. Ubiquinone
  41. Thioctic Acid
  42. Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract
  43. Potassium Hydroxide

Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% · 7

  1. Zinc PCA
  2. Dimethyl Isosorbide
  3. Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
  4. Isoceteth-20
  5. Ethoxydiglycol
  6. Phenoxyethanol
  7. Chlorphenesin

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